The CHS Jazz Band enjoyed a rare gig on Feb 3 when classic-jazz musician Jim Walker and his group Free Flight visited Clarkston. Even better, the band was able to share the experience with others.
Walker, a flute professor from the University of Souther Carolina, has played the flute most of his life and performed throughout the country. His work includes a performance with Paul McCartney at the Academy Awards and music for the films ‘King Kong? and ‘Finding Nemo.?
After school on Feb. 3, Walker ? along with fellow Free Flight members Bryan Pezzone, Mike Packer and Tim Emmons ? held a workshop session with members of CHS Jazz Band.
Before they began,Walker shared a bit of history with students, including the 26 years Free Flight has played together. Even though the group has been together so long, Walker said the band only takes up about five percent of what the members do with their time.
‘Free Flight is more like a hobby, but it’s the most fun thing I have ever done,? Walker said.
Walker wanted to work with students as a group and then as individuals to show them styles of improvisation, He started with a demonstration.
‘I wrote this song when I was mad one day,? said Pezzone, who plays piano with Free Flight. The group proceeded to break into a 10-minute jam session mixing classical and jazz music. After, Walker and Pezzone talked about how they look for subtle signals to develop their improvisation skills. Those signals can come from each other or the music itself. Pezzone said he learned to see individual notes as signals and imagines they stand out to him when he plays.
‘When I look at a keyboard and chords, they have little illuminated dots that are the key. What that helps me do is vary my material a lot,? Pezzone said.
The workshop was just the begining though. After working wth students, the groups came together and shared their skills. Free Flight and the CHS Jazz Band came back together that evening and performed at the Performing Arts Center.