In the past I’ve attended plays, sporting events, and concerts on both amateur and professional levels. Some were free while others a little more pricey, but not many can compare to the five dollars of entertainment witnessed last night on a folding chair in a large multi-purpose room (for lack of a better word) at a Christian junior and senior high school located in Orange County. The event—the annual “Big Night of Jazz” with three school bands performing with a special featured woodwind artist. This year was basically a night of Duke Ellington. School bands. Big deal. Have heard a few and you couldn’t pay me to attend another performance.
The first group was the Junior High Jazz Band. The musical director, Isaac, who looked like a kid himself, had only been at the school for two years. The group was quite impressive for being so young. The next band was the Jazz Workshop. The musical director for the high school band, Len, played trumpet with this group. Again, more great music. The last group to perform was the Eight O’clock Jazz Band including the featured guest artist, Keith Felch, a teacher and performer in Southern California for over 30 years. It was wonderful, exceptional, remarkable, and not just Mr. Felch who happened to play several instruments, but the entire group. The playing abilities of several of these young talents were emphasized throughout many of the songs, but a certain young gent on the ivories stood out, actually the only reason I was attending this concert.
Knew he was good after hearing him play in the church Praise Band. Found out just how good after hearing a solo during my first encounter of the church’s annual Gift for Jesus program. Realized how much this kid knew his stuff after I was asked to join the Praise Band as (what I call) a “background” keyboardist. Not only do I have a new found respect for this young man, but also I’m now even more intimidated. Do you suppose Daniel would teach me everything he knows if I paid him?
To me, Daniel is, well…phenomenal and in a class all his own. He is graduating this year and will be attending a popular California university majoring in Pre-Med. Definitely think Daniel would have a shot at receiving the title on America’s Got Talent and winning the million-dollar jackpot, which leads me to the million-dollar question. Why am I playing in the same group as Sir Daniel?
About Me
- Debbie
- I live in sunny Southern California. Lost my husband over seven years ago. My son was 16 at the time. Consider myself a Christian and am working hard to make a lot of changes in my life. Have a diverse work background with extensive administrative and customer service experience. Previous jobs include the following: editor, probation officer, primary manager, and legal secretary.
2 comments:
Those of us who play in that praise band with Daniel do so because he is not only very talented, he is a young man of deep humility. I wanted so much to be there for that evening of jazz but simply could not make it. I've enjoyed it other years, including when my son was in the band there. I can't say enough about Daniel and his family ... some of the bestest people on earth!
I saw Daniel's band at Steamers in Fullerton and, like you was blown away with how good they were, especially Daniel. It made me kind of embarassed to ask him to play the kinds of simple songs we do in our praise band, but as Greg said, he is a very humble young man and never acts as if this type of music is beneath him. I'm glad you and he are both in our little ensemble.
Steve
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