SEVERAL BUDDING and professional musicians got a taste of what will be in store at The FirstCaribbean, International Christmas Jazz at a pre-show workshop at Divi Southwinds yesterday morning.
Musicians Marcus Miller (bass), Myron Mckinley (keyboard), Michito Sanchez (percussion), Kirk Whalum (sax), Gene Lake (drums) and trumpeter Christian Scott thrilled the audience with their improvisations, a two-part swing demonstration, and a piece from Miles Davis by special request, for close to two hours.
The musicians also offered advice to those who want to become professionals and shared their stories, during a question and answer segment.
Following a question from a grandmother, whose granddaughter, “insists on playing the saxophone”, about what opportunities existed, Whalum said: “If that is the gift that God gave her, and she has identified with that, and she wants to pursue that and she understands in some kinda way, how hard it is and the amount of work it takes to be a Marcus Miller to be a Christian.
“If she has some clue of that, and she is satisfied with doing that, in other words, her expectation is to contribute to world culture by virtue of her gift, God will take care of her.
She will never have to worry about food.”
While Miller agreed, he said it was the grandmother’s job to try to discourage her a little, because the odds were against one as a musician.
“You want her to eat, because if her gift is strong enough and she has a strong enough desire, even despite you trying to hold her back, she won’t be able to help herself, she will have to do it.
Like every good parent, they want us to be secure, they want us to have good jobs, they want us to be safe and a musician’s life is not like that.
“There are no guarantees that you’re gonna end up here. As a parent, you gotta impress that on your kid every moment,” said Miller, who did three years of music education and business law in college before leaving to be a full-time musician.
They also encouraged members of the audience to practise their instrument at every opportunity. Miller advised them to live a little, for it was those stories which go into the music and “help people feel stuff”.
Producer Deryck Walcott said he was happy with the turnout for the workshop.
Following the overwhelming turnout at last year’s event, Walcott introduced a second night for the first time this year. Tickets for tonight were sold out more than a week ago, and there are a limited number left for tomorrow night. (YB)