Gettin' in the Jazz of Things

Two weekends ago was the Reno Jazz Festival in Nevada.  With competition kicking off early Friday morning on the 8th, the festival brings in jazz enthusiasts from all over the country.  The events and clinics that take place involve persons that range from young, growing jazz musicians to experienced, seasoned jazz professionals.  My brother, Jake, competed and preformed that Friday in Reno, playing with Cordova High's jazz band.  In the two year's that I played in the CHS jazz band, the Reno festival was always an event that stood as a benchmark for our progress.

With so many different school's competing in the mix, from elementary to college, you were always bound to learn of a new skill or technique that you had never known before.  The festival always carried a brilliant vibe and an energizing atmosphere that would make you want to just keep on jazzin' forever.  Once you felt it, you never wanted its bright spirit to leave.  Since a major portion of my high school life was spent juggling musical practices and performance schedules around all the other areas of my life, whether it be church events, football, or vacations - you name it - I had many opportunities to enjoy such lyrical fun.

The neat thing about jazz is that there aren't many qualities or traits that are required to play it; everyone can get in the swing of it and have a good time.  However, for myself, I noticed some days that it was harder for me to play and get in the motion of the music then on others.  And there were a couple times that my band teacher, Kevin Sims, called on me to solo during the song.  Playing the tenor saxophone, I won't profess that I was great at it, though I know my mother would say contrary (Don't you just love how mothers are so positive?  They really do keep you goin'!).  Besides that, it sometimes was a challenge to get in the adequate mood and rhythm of the song.  Often, that challenge was based upon my preparation and desire before playing with the band, whether in practices or performances.

Looking deeper into it, the way that we prepare ourselves to feel the spirit of jazz is similar to the way that we can prepare ourselves to feel the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God.  On the days that I felt that I was out of the loop while playing, with no ideas streaming into my head, the cause of it due to what had occurred the hours and days prior to that playing session.  Since jazz band practice was held between 7 am to 8 am, and also having already been up since 5:45 am those mornings to attend church seminary at 6:15 am, the mood and desire I was in was always based upon the time I went to bed the night before.  If I had gone to bed late and not received the amount of sleep that I required, then I was often slow to be positive and drew blanks on what to play while being put on the spot.

Often times, along with taking my own personal time to practice, my energy and desire all depended on how I prepared the night and hours before.  On the days that I felt in tune with it, my fingers felt free as they pushed down the pearl keys and the sound was good - to my ear's at least.  Looking back on it, those experiences were times that proceeded after studying and practicing to know the flow of the music, the key's it was written in, and intent listening to other jazz artists.  One of my most favorite jazz bands is the one directed by Gordon Goodwin.  There is one particular song that they recorded, titled "Jazz Police", that holds the spot of being my most favorite sax solo of all time.  The saxophone soloist provides such a high-tempo energy that I always dreamed of, if nothing more, replicating.  Just as I had my bone crushing, head pounding rock music to get me pumped for a football match, this song stood out among my playlist as one to get me excited for any performance.  The times that I made the effort to listen, study, and practice before I was called upon to play made all the difference when that time came - either I was ready to feel the Spirit or not.

Jazz has its own unique spirit that is inviting unto all to come, and enjoy its smooth and happy tunes.  The Holy Ghost too, which  is sent from God, invites all men everywhere to know that Jesus is the Christ and will testify of truth, no matter what shape or form it may be in.  Though the Holy Ghost is a gift from that God who is the Father of our Spirits, we cannot expect it to just be freely given and felt.  When we are called upon to solo, if we have not adequately prepared ourselves to be in that jazz spirit, performing will not be easy and, if we never take the time to receive it, we will never improve.

"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." (1 Nephi 10:19)