Wow. You have to see this for yourself one day. The final concert of the three top placing bands from American high schools that compete playing Duke Ellington music. It is sponsored by Lincoln Center and overseen by Wynton Marsalis. More than 1700 high school bands are part of the EE network. 111 bands sent in recordings of their bands playing three compositions for consideration for the competition. 15 bands are chosen, blind. These 15 bands [and their directors and a slew of parents] come to the City to compete against each other. Each band receives a mentor, who is one of the 15 members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Members such as Marcus Pintup- trumpet, Ted Nash, alto and soprano sax/clarinet, Ali Jackson, drums, Carlos Henriquez, bass, the list goes on to be 15 of the best jazz artists today. They start competing on Saturday and by Sunday 4:00 the final three bands names are posted. It is not until after the concert of the finalist three bands, the Jazz at Lincoln Center band and a host of individual awards that the winner is known. It is exciting to be #3. It is tough when #2 is announced, because you know you are not #1. Tonight’s winner was Dillard Center for the Arts Jazz Ensemble, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. These kids and they are kids, are amazing with what they bring to the platform. Out of these 15 bands they give individual awards in all of the sections and the individual instruments. The two awards I found most amazing: A member of the Ellington Big Band, Tucson Jazz Institute, Tucson, AZ Max Goldschmid won an award Marsalis said, because never had they had someone who played so many instruments. He said they were dumbstruck and all they could say was watch out! The award to a member of the New World School of the Arts High School Jazz Ensemble, Miami Fl. Anthony [Tony] Madruga – a pianist – because Marsalis said he was so on his game in every way, he was as professional as any player Marsalis had ever met. He should be playing with us, he said. And this boy is in high school. I found out about all of this because I watched a documentary titled: Chops. It was released in 2006. Worth an evening of viewing. But attending the event is even more. Can not wait for next year when it starts all over again.
Figurines
They appear unexpectedly: the proverbial cigar store Indian. I will add them to the post as I happen upon them.
1st Stop Over the Bridge
Fascinating that at the first subway stop over a bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn, there are shops where the signage has no English is to be seen. If you don’t read Hebrew, then you don’t know what they are selling.
Churches Blend In
Obviously when neighborhoods were being set up, the place of worship was worked right into the housing district. These are distinct buildings in different areas of the City.
Instruments on Board
Instruments in the subway are a source of amusement.
The bass on the left has it’s own wheels.
The bass on the right is a u-lug.
Boys with violins below.
Undocumented I have seen accordions, keyboards, and those small boxes that contain, flutes, clarinets and other small woodwinds. Probably saw a sax and thought it was a violin.
What Does This Mean?
Sign on a door in one of the subway stations.
More Subway Art
Continuation of Subway Art. It is as varied as it is clever. All of the art is tile work.
Faster than the Speed of Light…
..of course not But it can feel like a blast when they blow by at how fast? It can be over 40 mph. Try that in a 25 mph zone and experience the feeling. The trains can enter the station at that speed and come to a stop as the brakes work independently on all the cars, and thus work together . This is from the posting of a train operator. He also had another interesting fact: the ‘Blood and Bones’ area of the tracks: where there are red and white striped warning markers there is no clearance, no safety area if you fall on the tracks. Makes the meaning clear. The photo on right with no stripes means that beyond the ‘third rail’ there is space to escape the train.
Subway Art
The City subways may not rival those of great European cities, but there is a concerted effort to make them attractive. These are examples of the tile work found on some of the platforms.
Beyond the reach of most
Look carefully at the photo and note two trees and greenery growing on the terrace of the mid-level building. How wondrous is that!