We got the jazz. We got the jazz...

My passion is to rebuild the youths appreciation for jazz.  Ironically, my students love it.  It has taken me 4 years to get them to appreciate different genres of music and they love it.  They jump up and dance.  DANCE... That is my key.

When jazz was created it was current because young people were doing jazz music people wanted to dance too.  It was upbeat, lively and kept the audience feeling the beat and rhythms.  Thing is after people allowed jazz to become a mental thing and took away the feeling/dancing vibe it slowly began to lose audience.

I am a teacher and started Rock and Roll/Funk/Disco this week.  The students lost their minds on learning how to do the Twist just like Chuck Berry.  I showed them 6 current dances and asked them what the name of the songs were and each time they shouted the names out.  It stands to reason that if you are gonna get new or young fans hype about a style of music, you need a gimmick.  You need a flavor that reaches them.

Many people are complaining about how wack our culture is musically.  How the gimmicks not talent are what these young people like... HELLO!!!  Get with the program.  No reason great musicians can add some gimmicks to their awesome style and make that music shine!!!!  I love performing as I sing.  I dance I move and connect to the music.  Well when I get to make music.  I miss it horribly too. 

Dancing is a way we can pull students back into the music we connect by connecting it to a dance.  Yeah that sounds corny and simple but the reality is there are songs out there being played nationwide are are making millions of dollars and are cornier.  And we are struggling to get anyone... Someone to purchase our music.  Just put one on the CD.  Keep the rest your style.  Add a video.  before you know it you'll be starting a trend..

Of course these are just ideas I'm getting from the 1950s...

Missing my Music...

Well,

It has been a long time since I have blogged.  I'm doing pretty well but have had to take a break from singing to complete another degree.  Unfortunately, I have NO TIME to actually get to the performing side of singing which STINKS.  I miss it like crazy too.  I teach music and am creating a great deal of online material for music educators so it is taking everything to keep up with the work.  However I am not out of the game at all.  I am excited and can't wait until my next few months. 

Working on a new CD of standards in a couple of months.  So this will be in addition to my work at the school.

I miss you all and hope to get back on that stage soon.

For now, I'm teaching young people to do it and they are doing very well.

Peace and Blessings.