White Plains CitizeNetReporter - A CHRYSALIS UNLOCKED

eHezi writes "The Music Conservatory of Westchester was host to a successful effort on the afternoon of December 2, 2001, in which musicians from throughout Westchester County and beyond, came together to offer their music and talent for the benefit of the American Red Cross of Westchester County.

The jazz jam session was predicated on the Conservatory's desire to return the community embrace of the Conservatory's new home at 216 Central Avenue, in White Plains, with an outpouring that would also reflect the desire of musicians and the Conservatory to call for a musical interaction that would respond with passion and sensitivity greater than the horror of September 11.

Jazz is a touching musical interpretation for me. Jazz is often spoken of as the only American musical form. It is the only honest depiction of the American "melting pot" concept often alluded to, yet not lived up to in practice. The base ingredient of jazz is the ease with which the music tells the listener exactly what is to be played, that is, jazz. Analogous to the advertisement: "Coke is It" or "Pepsi's the One." Americans want it when they want it; we want it now - we are an impatient lot. We worship instant gratification. To that end, jazz exposes its musical genre immediately. Strike one point for jazz.

Jazz is a musical art that has form and structure, that is, a musical score. Classical music in all its fluidity once written is forever impervious to change. We Americans, though respectful of the musical genius of Chopin, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Sibelius and Mozart, among others, possess a demeanor more closely aligned with the individuality permitted in jazz. Score another point for jazz.

Jazz exalts extemporaneous concepts of musical sound. It is an art form of sound that finds strength from the emotional center of each musician through his or her personal effort and musicianship. It is not musical form that follows a protocol of consensus. It is individual, yet not alone. Jazz permits the development of the group effort and the inherent strengths of the give and take, the ying and yang modality of sound. Score point three for jazz.

The musical effort is not a consensus but rather an individual expression within the context of a group effort in which each contribution of musical self enhances the group effort in its expression to the listener. Do I hear score number four for jazz? Surely, a resounding "Yes!"

Jazz has drawn cultural musical themes from Africa, Europe, The Middle East, and The Orient and mixed the ingredients of each into a "stew" to create the sound and expression of "jazz" to the delight and satisfaction of the American mentality and auditory sensibility. This "stew" ingratiates new cultures and influences into its jazz form. Witness the emergence of the Asian artist flocking to the jazz fold. The ever increasing people of all colors, religions and ethnicity to the world of jazz. Score point five for jazz.

I could go on and on. Yet, let me not forget that unlocking the jazz musical chrysalis yesterday afternoon / evening were Bob Arthurs, Glenda Davenport, Gerry Fitzgerald, Aaron Flagg, Masai Hayashi, Jimmy Hill, Charlie Lagond, Steve Lamattina, Michelle LeBlanc, Jan Leder, Kenny Lee, Carmen Leggio, Mark Morganelli, Johnny Morris, Takeshi Ogura, Diana O'Keefe, Joe Ragusa, Steve Roane, Sean Smith, and Kenny Wessel.

For more information, please contact Robert Arthurs, Dean of Students and Faculty and Lisa Deutsch, Executive Director of the Conservatory at (914) 761-3900. E-mail Robert Arthurs at Robert Arthurs, Dean of Students and Faculty ; e-mail Lisa Deutsch at Lisa Deutsch, Executive Director of Conservatory and please visit the Music Conservatory of Westchester web site and visit their new home at 216 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606.

For those who missed the event yet would like to donate to the efforts of the American Red Cross in Westchester, please contact Katherine Cintron, Director of Philanthropy at (914) 946-6500 ext 502 or via e-mail to Katherine Cintron, Director of Philanthropy of American Red Cross in Westchester "


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