Simons Fellowship – Week #5
This has been a jam packed week. I arrived Monday night at the University of Kansas to begin the second part of my Simons Fellowship at the Hall Center for the Humanities. I hit the ground running on Tuesday morning when I presented ‘It’s About The Music/It’s About The Business of Music’ to freshman and sophomore music majors. Then I went to a rehearsal of a big band directed by Professor Dan Gailey of the Jazz Department. Of course, I worked till the wee hours of the morning on my own writing.
On Wednesday, I conducted a Jazz ensemble through four of my own pieces. The ensemble consisting of three horns, read through the charts and we worked on making them musical. Dynamics was the main principal discussed and worked on. It is a wonderful feeling to teach these young musicians aspects of listening skills. They were playing with dynamics and cooking on the music. Nice!
Thursday morning, I spoke again about the music and the business of music to another freshman/sophomore class. This was a difficult one. The students seemed to be distracted and I really tried everything I could to engage them in some way. I then finally said, ‘How about I just play for you?” I sat at this very well maintained Steinway and played a five or six minute improvisation. I finally connected to them. Music is amazing that way. From that point forward, the students asked questions and were with it. You never know what will work when teaching.
Bob McWilliams from Kansas Public Radio invited me to be a guest on his show ‘Jazz in the Night’ on Thursday night. He played cuts from Two Duos CD ’Sunday Morning’, tunes from Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS CD ’Fields Of Moons’ along with some of my favorite recordings that Bob asked me to choose: Sheila Jordan – Falling In Love With Love, Nancy Wilson/ Cannonball Adderley – Save Your Love For Me, Ramsey Lewis – The In Crowd and Oliver Nelson – Stolen Moments. Bob and I had a great time listening and talking about the music. Thanks Bob!
Photos: Randy Klein and Bob McWilliams on Kansas Public Radio
Saturday night was the big event for me. Trombonist, Chris Washburne and saxophonist, Ole Mathisen, happened to be in Nebraska and were willing to make the drive to KU. This allowed us to set up a Two Duos concert at the KU School of Music. The concert was wonderfully received. Chris and Ole both played beautifully. The Two Duos concept was really working and I am most appreciative of the fact that the audience was so wildly enthusiastic. Parts of the concert were videoed. I will have them posted soon.
Photos: Two Duos concert feat. Randy Klein, Chris Washburne and Ole Mathisen at the KU School of Music
I am appreciating this period of my life very much. The silence of Lawrence, Kansas, allows me to focus and keep my rather hectic life in order. Aaah!
How about a shoutout for Complete Silence!!!
More to come …RK