Get your children JAZZED about music!

I received an email last week from a proud parent of an up and coming jazz musician that I had the pleasure of meeting at the Berks Jazz Festival in Reading Pennsylvania. The email and the gesture of thanks was just what I needed at the time.

It wasn’t the first time I had heard from young Demetrius Turner and his family. I was hosting an episode of Smooth Jazz TV from the Berks festival in 2004 and noticed a boy sitting with his father…the youngster was on the edge of his seat like his was getting ready to watch the Superbowl with dad! I strolled over and introduced myself and welcomed them to the show. His father mentioned his son was a budding jazz musician (sax and flute) and so I invited both of them to join me to watch the show up close from the backstage wings. It was so much fun watching father and son share this together! I introduced them to Najee after the show and I’m not sure who was more excited Demetrius Turner Sr. or his son Demetrius Jr.

Some days later I received this e mail from the youngster:

Hello Mr. Smith, I’m Demetrius Turner II. I met you at Najee’s concert at the Berk’s Jazz Fest. I want to thank you again for taking me backstage. I had a blast. I learned a lot from watching Najee close up and I enjoyed meeting him.

I look forward too seeing your show and learning about other Smooth Jazz stars.

Regards,

Demetrius Turner II (11 years old)

I emailed him back:

Yo D! It was my pleasure to hang with you and your dad, you were both great guys. Keep me posted on your sax studies and hopefully I will see you at next year’s festival. You can learn a lot by watching passionate people who have studied their craft and Najee is someone who is just that. All the best to you and your father and thanks for the note of thanks, it was very much appreciated.

His father just sent me this update on October the 5 th:

Mr Smith,

It has been 19 months since your kind gesture allowed Demetrius II, my son, and I a chance to sit backstage and watch Najee perform and later meet him at the 04 Berks Jazz Festival. My son has tried many times to incorporate things he learned that night into his own performances. My son is working real hard with his musical studies in sax and flute. He was a recent 1 st place winner at the Apollo Amateur Night, Stars of Tomorrow contest in New York and may be selected to be on the national television syndicated show called Showtime at the Apollo. My family watches your show often.

Thanks again for helping plant the seed.

Demetrius Turner Sr.

I have always felt that the best way to connect with your kids and let them know YOU better too is to take them to cultural events like Jazz concerts and art galleries. It lets them experience art and talented, gifted MUSICIANS and watch them do their thing. In this day of American Idol myths that falsely infer success without commitment (or mastery of an instrument) it will serve as an exciting lesson for your kids and let them FEEL THE MUSIC in real time. You can never imagine how these events will impact your children (remember the first time your parents dragged you to the Nutcracker or the symphony or a jazz concert?) those are the things we never forget. Explore art of all textures with your kids, they will love you for it.

I will always remember Demetrius and his father for their love and commitment to one another and the lessons we can all learn about being teaching our children with our most valuable resources…a parent’s time, love and attention.

Stay tuned next week for more of Cameron’s Jazz Journals.

Read last week's Jazz Journal