Jeff’s Blog

I just got back from CCJA. This session, I started out in one in Boulder that focused on iim-V7-IΔ’s (a very basic chord progression in jazz) and Bb blues (a very basic concept in jazz). I completely understand where they are; I was there too when I was in seventh grade. I respect that they’re taking the opportunity to learn more jazz outside of school.

However, I’m a bit beyond those concepts, so I got the guy who runs it to switch me into a different group. I ended up in the one run by Jeff Jenkins - one of the best pianists in the area! The music is very challenging, and I’m really excited to be in the group. I think I’ll learn a lot from my time there, from Jeff and from the music itself.

So far this summer, I’ve been up to a lot. I am working as a web designer at the BVSD again, and I got a raise this year. My old boss (the webmaster) left, and they’re still in the process of hiring a new one. Also this year, I got to bring in my keyboard and compose some background music for a podcast they’re doing, which was amazingly cool. I got to use Garage Band and make loops with my own bass lines, drum beats and other licks until it sounded like a song.

Along with working, I did C’s Jazz in Summer again this year, which was not as good as it was last year. It was still great to play jazz though, and the guitarist was amazing at playing blues. I’ve also been doing a salsa group with CCJA. There have only been two sessions so far, but it’s going to be really fun.

I also participated in Bike to Work Day, a yearly event in which many businesses provide free breakfast to people who either bike or walk to work in an effort to reduce pollution from cars and get people active. Finally, marching band has started again, and we’re really far ahead. We plan on doing very well in the state competition this year, and we’re well on our way. We’ll be marching and playing in the Independence Day parade this Wednesday as well.

Those are all the major things that have been going on; I also switched my blog to WordPress, but that’s not really important. This summer is a week shorter due to a school schedule change, and it’s already going fast, but it’s not that bad. At least I have something to do.

Tonight was this session’s final performance. It was, once again, one of the best groups I’ve been in. There was a great drummer (a high school senior), two great saxes (one was a freshman), our instructor (a college professor), and me. We played Caravan, Sweet Love of Mine (in a reggae style), and Ornithology.

We got there early enough to watch a few other bands, and then we were on. Our instructor had knee surgery today at about noon, and yet he still made it for the gig tonight, albeit using crutches.

The actual performance went great, and the decent crowd we attracted liked it. Unfortunately, I won’t have time to do CCJA in the fall because of marching band, but I’ll be able to do the winter session.