Had the chance tonight to catch another great jazz concert tonight. Tonight was the 4th (in a series of 5) concert at the BMA. The yearly series is put on by the Baltimore Chamber Jazz Society. The Tom Harrell Quintet was the featured group. Harrell plays the trumpet and flugelhorn. What a great concert! Although it was a jazz show, there were many types of music interwoven with the jazz. And except for one or two numbers, all of the compositions were written by Harrell himself.
Although the music was great, it was one of the saddest experiences I've witnessed. I didn't know what was going on at first, but Harrell never looked at the crowd. He would play his rhythm section and/or solo, then shuffle a few steps to the side and just hang his head. He just looked so sad. He very rarely even spoke to the crowd. There was no announcing of the musical numbers, and only cursory introductions of the band. I wasn't sure if it was social anxiety, or depression, etc. No matter what it was, it was sad to watch someone so talented (especially in such a lively form of music), yet so trapped in their own skin. After the show, my father and I try and get the autographs of the performers on the program. It's kind of a tradition for us. I didn't know what to expect at all this time though. Afterward we let the crowd dissipate and made our way toward the stage (normally the musicians come back out and start packing up their gear). I had to venture stage left and toward the rear to attempt to get Harrell. He didn't really look up, but was very considerate and signed my cd and shook my hand. I was so happy. What I really wanted to do was hug the guy, much the same way I would with a child here at school who was struggling. You want to reach out and try and help that person. Upon my arrival back home, I was able to do some research. It seems as though Harrell suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. It's a debilitating disease, and it's amazing that he's able to perform worldwide in front of tons of people. It's unbelievable to think that not only does he perform around the world, but he's been doing it for over 40 years. And his condition was diagnosed early on in his early 20's. What a great performance, a crushing yet heartwarming story, and a wonderfully talented and kind man. It just goes to show you that anyone can persevere and do great things!
0 Comments
http://www.mvgazette.com/obituaries/2012/03/29/al-hurwitz-91-was-work-art
http://www.mica.edu/news/peek_inside_the_sept-oct_issue_of_juxtapositions/the_legacy_of_chair_emeritus_in_art_education_dr_al_hurwitz_%E2%80%9941_(1920-2012)_is_felt_worldwide.html http://insea.org/publications/memorium-albert-hurwitz Just found out an important mentor to me passed away. Unfortunately, it looks like he passed away a year ago, which makes the pain even worse. I should have known that, period. After all moved away from the area many years ago we fell out of touch. It's unfortunate, but it does happen. Al Hurwitz was a person unlike any other. I didn't get to know him very well, but the little time I had the chance to spend with him was cherished. I first met Al when I was doing my M.A. at MICA in 2001. He was a vivacious spirit and a kind, mannerly man. We met during the winter of '01/'02 at a meeting of the minimester portion of my MA studies. I immediately took to him. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge and could sit and talk forever. The mere fact that I was able to partake in these discussions is a blessing. He complimented me heavily for a series of questions that I asked during a presentation from a visiting professor from Columbia University Teachers College. From there we'd talk from time to time. I even helped him move out of his house in the Pimlico section of Baltimore. Given his age at the time, and the fact that his home had been burglarized a few times, he decided that he and his wife should move to Martha's Vineyard to live with his son. It was crazy, but he could barely get anyone to help him pack up. I mean, he was nearing 80 at the time. So my wife and I (we weren't actually married just yet) helped him out, and I was able to bring two of my uncles along as well. My uncles were key because Al needed help taking stuff to the dump as well. Not only did he save me some books, but he let my wife go through his years of National Geographic magazines. My wife's great grandfather was featured in one in the early 80's and she tries to collect as many as she can. In addition, he gave me a priceless print from the 1950's, by an artist named Irving Amen. What killed me was that he had put many boxes of books on the side for the Decker Library at MICA. I even helped drop some of them off. As I was finishing my M.A. in the summer of '02, they had put some of those books on the $1 (or less) book cart, for sale. I couldn't believe such a callous act. So I made sure to buy several just to have a piece of him at home. The world was a better place with Al in it. Kids were better off in this world because of all of the work he did for and to promote Art Education. I'll miss you Al. Well today was a complete waste of meteorological technology. What a waste of a snow day for that matter. All I wanted was some real accumulation. Is that too much to ask? My son is too young to remember blizzards, snowmageddon, and the like. I just want something that my kids can play in. They've been cheated two winters in a row now. Not nice Mother Nature, not nice. European model was correct though. I think the US needs that computer. That's twice now they've gotten it correct while everyone else twiddles their thumbs. Hmmmmm.
Huge weight lifted from my shoulders today. I had to have my applications for the summer programs offered by the NEH postmarked by today. I was able to get everything in on time. I should have had it completed much sooner though. I keep trying to accomplish that every year, and it never seems to happen. It's something I have to continue to try and set as a goal for myself. So within a month, we'll see where I end up for the summer. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Thank you Mr. B! I just received an email from our ole faithful, former media specialist. I was not aware of a book that he thought would be great for my classroom collection. Patricia Polacco has recently written a book about her high school art teacher and their influence. I really look forward to seeing and reading it. And just in case anyone would like to buy it for my classroom collection, it's on my Amazon wishlist. You can also see it here...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Miss-Chew-Patricia-Polacco/dp/0399257039/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362305131&sr=8-1&keywords=the+art+of+miss+chew |
B.D.SchmittHusband, Father, Archives
November 2015
|