On Tuesday, day three, we visited Overton High School in Memphis, TN for a performance to the student body of over 1000. Overton is a public high school, but within it there is the school of creative and performing arts (CAPA) consisting of drama, music, theater, dance, creative writing, broadcasting, visual arts, and photography. Like LACHSA, there is an audition process to get into the CAPA program as well as grade and conduct requirements. The performance hall was packed at noon as the show began.

The set list was similar to the prior day in Cleveland except that instead of Herbie Hancock, the LACHSA sextet performed Ingrid Jensen’s beautiful arrangement of Autumn Leaves and to close out the show, and to illustrate that almost any song can become a jazz tune, the group swung to The Flintstones. The blues medley, Every Day I Got the Blues (complete with Lisa selecting another unsuspecting student from the audience), and Dr. Dyas’ presentation on jazz and improvisation rounded out the set. Just before the last number, Dr. Dyas asked for questions from the audience. One student asked how long each member of the band practices per day. Each LACHSA student answered the question and spoke a little about him or herself, but it was Aaron who brought down the house. Up until this point, other than when Lisa sang with a student from Overton, the audience was not nearly as attentive as the audience had been in Cleveland, MS. Aaron changed all that. He talked about practice and having a passion for something. He then asked the audience how many liked hip hop music and how many “dropped their own beats”. Over half the audience enthusiastically raised their hands. Aaron then asked if anyone wanted to come up on stage to demonstrate. At that point, the audience was cheering and prompting others to head to the stage. The LACSHA rhythm section played a funky groove and that energized the crowd even more. This went on for a moment, or so, and when no one came to the stage, the band stopped the groove and order was restored. What a moment! It was so spontaneous and happened so fast that I failed to capture it on video. I was just as caught up in the moment as everyone else.

The LACHSA kids were a little disappointed after the show because most of the students in the audience seemed disinterested and even a bit disruptive. There were many who enjoyed it, but after the incredible scene from the day before in Cleveland, this audience was a bit of a letdown for the kids. Definitely a learning experience as they will have crowds like that in the future, maybe again on this trip, and they will need to learn how to keep their energy level up even when the crowd is not feeding them.

After the show, the LACHSA kids and Ingrid Jensen joined the Overton HS Big Band for their jazz band rehearsal. The LACHSA kids sat amongst the band in their respective sections and Ingrid took over temporarily as band leader.

I will not be able to accurately describe what happened next. You simply had to be there to appreciate the next 30 to 45 minutes, but I will give it to you as I experienced it. Ingrid listened to band and offered her suggestions then she asked the LACHSA students for tips and suggestions. Kalia and Aaron were first to offer tips for the band, but specifically to their respective horn sections. They were encouraging and informative with their remarks and the Overton students took it all in. Soon, the rest of the LACHSA students were trading tips and working within each of their sections. The Overton kids always attentive and enjoying the moment and the LACHSA kids appreciative and nodding encouragement at each Overton solo. The Overton band leader then asked for the band to repeat the tune, but asked that the LACHSA kids take the solos this time. Aaron was first up, and much like he did earlier at the concert, he once again brought down the house. His solo was smokin and by the end of it, Overton students were jumping out of their chairs and fanning themselves with sheet music. One of the piano players even took out his wallet and was about to throw money at Aaron. It was a cool scene…and that was only the first solo from LACHSA. Although no other LACHSA student had money thrown his or her way, each solo was met with much of the same enthusiasm as Aaron’s. The last to solo was Ingrid Jensen and she traded fours (short solos) with Overton’s lead trumpet player. This trading turned into a bit of a cutting contest with Ingrid challenging the Overton student a little more each time. By now, many of the band members were standing and had turned to face the trumpet section, clapping and cheering after each short solo. Suddenly, all the disappointment from earlier in the day had been washed away.

The Overton band played two more songs with the LACHSA students and showed their ability to swing and play the blues. That was followed by the Overton kids asking questions to LACHSA about inspiration, how each practiced, and plans post high school.

After the rehearsal, the rhythm section stayed at the school to rehearse with Lisa Henry for Thursday evening’s concert. Kalia, Aaron, and Ingrid went to The University of Memphis to be interviewed by the host of a local jazz station. The interview was originally scheduled to be with Ingrid, but she invited Kalia and Aaron to join her. It was a recorded interview and I am not yet sure when it will play.

We all returned to the hotel around 6 PM to eat and rest. It was another amazing day! Enjoy the photos.

Kevin.

Warm up and sound check

Principal Jennings talking to the students after the concert.

Members of the Overton Jazz Band joining LACHSA back stage after the concert.

LACHSA Sextet joins Overton’s Big Band.

The studio on U of Memphis campus where Ingrid, Kalia, and Aaron were interviewed.

Ribs!

Hello Mom and Dad!