OPINION: Thanks to all those who made possible concerts, jazz clinics

This letter is a thank you note to John Clayton, Larry Fuller and Jeff Hamilton of The Ray Brown Tribute Trio, which performed on Oct. 9 and 10, and gave music clinics at Whitefish High School, Stillwater Christian School and Glacier High School on Monday, Oct. 12. 

To Don Kaltschmidt of Don “K” Subaru, who sponsors Singer & Simpson concerts and events. To National Parks Realty, Glacier Bank and First Interstate Bank for sponsoring the music clinics. To teachers Jenanne Solberg, Mark McCrady, Dave Barr and Brian Phillips, who welcomed our musicians into their schools. And to Erica von Kleist, who facilitated the clinic at Whitefish High with deep respect for her mentor and friend John Clayton. To the members of the Whitefish High School jazz band, who opened the concert on Friday night, and to the students who came to the clinics, listened and asked questions. To the people who bought tickets to The Ray Brown Tribute Trio concerts Friday night at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center and Saturday night at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts, though I wish there had been more of you to enjoy that beautiful and inspiring music. And of course to John Simpson, whose great ideas for concerts and clinics puts the capital ‘L’ in both words in Labor of Love.

When bass player John Clayton was asked by a student at his music clinic on Monday at Whitefish High School, “How do you overcome failure?” he said, “I don’t call it failure. I redefine it. I call it a step in the process and say, ‘Oh, that’s not the way I need to do that.’” When he was asked, “What’s your most accomplished moment?” he replied, “Here, right now, with you in this room.” What a wonderful way to tell the students he was there for them. When they asked, “Do you prefer using a bow or plucking?” John Clayton said, “Yes!” And when the laughter died down, he said, “I love it ALL.”

John Simpson and I have tried doing educational outreach at the schools with visiting musicians several times in the past, and have been disheartened at the poor turnout. We once had a whole quartet show up for five students. But this time the classrooms were full since it was during school hours. Teachers and students were inspired. There seems to be a disconnect if you attach the word jazz to anything. But as these musicians taught, the love is for the music, not for the label someone else gives it.

When a student asked John Clayton, “What arrangements are you most proud of?” He said, “I can be proud of you. But I don’t take credit for my arrangements. I can be happy about my arrangements. I’m happy about my arrangement of ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ which Whitney Houston sang at the Super Bowl.”

It’s interesting how much of what was said at the different clinics was the same. Tell a story and express yourself. Make your movements easy for longevity. John Clayton talked about holding the bow like a baby bird, and using the weight of your arm, gently with no tension, so that the string is free to vibrate. Larry Fuller said “Music is a language. It should come from within you and through your instrument.” Jeff said, “Sing what you want to play. Turn it into a musical phrase.” John said, “Music is not in the bass. It’s in us!” They all talked about listening to music, and studying it. Transcribe solos and learn them. Choose music just above your level to try to imitate, to stretch you but not so hard that you get frustrated. John Clayton said that by playing jazz, he learned to recognize C9 going to F7 when he saw those chords in a classical piece he was playing. You can learn from all music.

When a student asked John Clayton, “What was the most important thing Ray Brown taught you?” He told them about the time Ray Brown pointed at the bass and said very emphatically, “You have to play this thing from here to here! And then go out into the world and do your music!  Learn it from here to here so it doesn’t FIGHT you!”

Jeff quoted drummer Mel Lewis, who said, “I want to feel like an overstuffed sofa the band can sit on.” They all communicated the fun in playing music with your friends. The more you learn, the more fun you have. John Clayton told them, “I’m old. Imagine how much fun I’m having!” 

Miriam Singer, of Whitefish, represents Singer & Simpson Productions.