Soul Station
submitted by Frank Caracciolo
How a lunch time jazz concert at John Rennie High School can change culture and bring joy to students.
Music Director Craig Hodgson’s energy was over the moon when he first told me about this project: a lunchtime Jazz concert featuring accomplished international musicians. And of course, being a big fan of Craig’s and of Jazz music I knew this was exactly where I needed to be on an early December afternoon.
Upon arrival, alumni brothers Ian and Eric Klempan were gearing up to record and document the event. As the clock struck noon, the musicians rushed in to set up, plug in, and sound-check. The usual routine for them. What was unusual, though, was that Craig had assembled an all-star band of seasoned musicians to play for the students: Zaynab Wilson (drums and vocals), Florian Hoefner (electric organ), Alex Bellegarde (stand-up bass), and of course Craig himself on saxophone.
As the musicians readied themselves, students filed in excited and social as always. Once everyone was seated, Zaynab addressed the crowd and introduced the musicians, noting that they had all met only an hour earlier and had never played together before. They had a brief twenty-minute rehearsal, which only added to the electricity in the room.
And with that, the jam began!
Jazz, a genre not typically associated with the average high school student, filled the space, and I watched as students applauded solos (as one does at a Jazz concert), grooved along to the upbeat drum patterns and bass lines, and got lost in Florian’s mesmerizing organ riffs. Craig wove in and out with solos and accents that gave the other musicians room to breathe.
The band was later joined by Marcel Golozari, a student who performed spoken word/rap over a continuous loop of a funk beat. Again, the students shared their appreciation for their classmate, cheering him on.
Throughout the short concert, I noticed students not just listening but enjoying the music, some even drawing to the music and, more importantly, appreciating the energy of the musicians in front of them. During the final tune, students joined in and sang along, showing their genuine interest and enthusiasm.
With the last crash of the cymbal, the room filled with applause before students slipped back into their day. None of them were required to attend; they chose to spend their lunch break listening to this ensemble, a gift for both the audience and the players.
After the students departed, I had the pleasure of thanking the musicians and sharing my appreciation. Craig and I said it almost simultaneously: “We should do this more often.” And truly, that’s how culture in a school changes by generously sharing and being open to possibilities. To me, that’s the very definition of Jazz.
Congratulations to Craig Hodgson, the musicians, and the students of John Rennie.
Happy Holidays.
