When I was producing my cable access show in the late 80s' and early 90s'; ARTHUR PEYTON III was co-producing and directing music videos for the show and on occasion he would talk to young artist about the importance of musical roots and where their direction was with their music. Once he lectured about how few young African American jazz artist there were in the music community. About how every other nationality was playing and learning jazz and it being our heritage; how important it was to learn and perform it. Well the Arthur Peyton III I know would be so happy and proud if he knew about young performing artist such as QUAMON FOWLER, JEROME JENNINGS, SEAN JONES and BENJAMIN WILLIAMS who are among the notably talented young jazz artist at Steans in Ravinia Park.

As previously stated, I attended my first master class at the Martin. Later that evening Quamon, a very gifted tenor sax musician was outside the Pavilion and we had a chance to meet and chat. He asked me if I was going to stay for the late show. I rarely did because I had so far to travel by public transportation and walking at dark thirty in the A.M. "By my spirit" I was so glad I did stay. It was so worth it. I listened to some of the most gifted young people that I am so pleased to say will certainly keep the art form in place for another half a century at least.
Already accomplished musicians who still consider themselves students and continuously study because they want to perfect their expression of the art form. They are wise enough to know that degrees and certificates aren't the epitome of the art. Heart and soul effort is.
Artist like JASON PALMER , trumpet player extraordinaire, who simply blew me away because I was thinking I was going to hear "amateur" playing. A faculty member of the New England Conservatory Pre School and student at the New England Conservatory.
Bassist BENJAMIN WILLIAMS , who is just finishing up his first year at Michigan State U and has some remarkable credits to his appearances.
PATRICIA ZARATE from Santago, Chile, Alto Saxophonist who moved to the U. S. and obtained a degree from Berklee College of Music.
Multi-awarded pianist DANIELA SCHACHTER who moved to Boston from Italy attended Berklee and has a extensive discography.
Also multi-awarded drummer CHARLESTON "DENO" SANDERS an Indiana U grad that has the Broadway show "Blues In The Night" among his notable credit history.
Cleveland native, JEROME JENNINGS who has performed at Carnegie Hall as a drummer and SEAN JONES, trumpeter who is being featured on one of my favorite orchestra leader, GERALD WILSON'S album.
DANIEL CAMPBELL who began studying his instrument at the age of nine, later enrolling in a St. Louis program for talented artists that allowed him the opportunity to study with career musicians. Proving where there's a will there is a way, he intermittingly studied with notable pros and is now pursuing a music degree at the U of Northern Illinois.
NIAL DJULIARSO from Jakarta, Indonesia; A professional/student pianist at Berklee and with other independent mentors; also has performed at Carnegie.
Multi music style, including rock and bluegrass bassist, JOEL KELSEY ; Composer and alto saxophonist KARL LIECHTY , who plays rock/jazz and fusion; award winning bassist BRANDI DISTERHEFT from Vancouver, BC and multi-award winning drummer BRYSON KERN currently studying jazz percussion with playing professionally, an already accomplished feat; are also a part of this entourage.
And of course, QUAMON FOWLER who released his first independent CD titled "Introducing Quamon Fowler", and won the first annual ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Award rounds off this impressive group of players.

The distinguished faculty for these students were David Baker,Chairman and Author; James Moody, Saxophone and flute; Danilo Perez, pianist and composer; Rufus Reid, Bass; and Nathan Davis, Saxophone.
Mr. Russell Malone, Guitar; Victor Goines, Saxophone and Irwin Mayfield, Trumpet; conducted the master classes for the series.

I sincerely hope that Musical Chairs visitors will take note and check out and support these talented artist who have given so much time and love to their craft.

I was sitting in one of my favorite haunts one day and I heard this song come over the P A system and I listened for a few seconds, when I knew I had to know the name of it and who the velvety voiced artist was. Well the name of the song was "I've got to see you again" and the artist was NORA JONES . Never heard of her, who is she? HA! Well apparently a lot of people knew who she was and after checking out her CD, I realized I had heard her before on some of the more frequently played titles. I guess I should say it was that song that made me pay attention. That was it for me; I became an appreciator.
Well the next thing that happened, I received my email from the Cyber club @ Ravinia announcing the opening and the rest of the hoopla. It was a couple of days before I got to it. I open, click and shock city, NORA JONES , Sold Out! No way. They just started selling the tickets. What in the world. So I counted seeing her out, at least at Ravinia, anyway.

The big night arrives, I'm in the neighborhood on business, maybe I'll stick around and take a listen for a bit while waiting for my train. Well bless my soul, my new "best friends" turned around and said, "Do you want this ticket".
Yes folks, that night I heard her in person sing my favorite song by her and she sang it nearly at the end. I was truly, truly grateful. She was every bit as wonderful as she was on the CD. Soft caressing deliveries and she kicked it up a notch when she blew the country siren with her friends. All in all it was a terrific experience.

ARETHA FRANKLIN and her entourage wowed and wooed the sold out capacity crowd at Ravinia. From her extravagant attire to her soul reaching lyrical deliveries, the "Queen" commanded her court like only she can. I was hoping I could have heard my favorite by her. That song MARVIN GAYE wrote and I believe he even sang it, but Aretha canonized it. "Wholy holy" on her AMAZING GRACE CD. But what she did sing in the genre; every one in the Pavillion felt that "Hit from Heaven". Wow! That’s the only way I know how to describe it.