Last night I spent an enjoyable evening playing in the orchestra pit for a production of the stage musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” in Hastings, Michigan. Tonight I’ll be there again, and tomorrow night. The cast is all high school kids, and they do a great job. My buddy, Ed Englerth, is sitting in on guitar, and Mark Ramsey on keyboards serves as musical director and does by far the bulk of the actual playing. My job is to keep my ears open and provide improvised sax work wherever it seemed appropriate.
If that sounds like a rather loose approach, it is. But the informality and spontaneity are a good part of the fun for me. You see, we’re not talking some high-pressure effort here that has involved weeks of practice (my preparation consisted of attending the dress rehearsal, then walking in last night and playing the gig). This is a local, grassroots production–which is by no means to minimize the talent, just to recognize a difference in approach that I really enjoy. That’s what’s nice about local efforts: they have an irreplaceable, homespun feel; they are high in entertainment value; they are often very well done; and they tap into and foster the gifts that are right at hand. Some surprisingly bright stars may be shining far from the Big City in a small town near you.
This has been my first time playing with Mark Ramsey, and I’m impressed by his level of professionalism. Hastings, the capital of Barry County, Michigan, is a small town blessed, as is many a small town, with a number of good musicians. My friend Ed Englerth, for instance, is an absolutely brilliant songwriter. Trumpet man and vocalist Joe LaJoye, the town’s retired band director, is the driving force for jazz in the community and the spearhead of its annual jazz festival. And Mark is the first keyboard player I’ve encountered in the area who demonstrates a well-rounded command of his instrument, one that shows a grasp of many idioms ranging from jazz to show tunes to classical and more. And he’s a very nice guy to boot. No attitude, just a humble spirit and a love for what he’s doing, qualities that make him a joy to work with.
As for the cast of the show, these kids are clearly having a good time. They’re taking their roles as actors seriously, and they’re having fun doing so.
My point is, living in a small town doesn’t necessarily mean lack of opportunity for a jazz musician. Depending on the community, you may delightfully surprised at what you find. Hastings is fifteen miles down the road from where I live in the cow town of Caledonia. My home town being an outlier of Grand Rapids, I have access to a broader music scene that I can tap into. When it comes to playing jazz, some of the musicians I play with reside in Grand Rapids, but others, like me, live farther out–far enough to enjoy the countryside, yet close enough to be a vital part of the West Michigan music scene.
If you work hard at your instrument, and if personal growth as a musician is its own reward for you, then sooner or later you’ll connect with other capable players. You’ll make music. You may not make a living at it, but you’ll find opportunities to share your talent with appreciative ears.
