I totally agree with you chas. Smooth jazz is a favorite of mine, it is simply jazz that has an infectious musical style, and that is not a bad thing at all. George Benson, The Rippingtons, Four Play, Spyra Gyra, Acoustic Alchemy and so many others are incredible artists. And seeing bands like Snarky Puppy starting to appear gives me hope in the future of jazz.

Hey guys .. Thanks for all the compliments really appreciate the feedback .. Like to say hi to Russ & Chas :-)

Thanks Nigel for getting me on board ..

Frank's tracks can be found at https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/smooth-jazz-touch-chill-musical/id946188519

Amen.

chas

Snarky Puppy....the future is BRIGHT!


R.

Russ, it is your contributions to music education that helps to create new musicians. You must be proud.

And by the way taylamusic is Frank who composed and plays the GB-30 on that smooth jazz track.

Thanks, Nigel. the schools I'm working with are in the most needy areas....lots of crime and poverty.

The programs now include 80 kids a semester....three classes with 20 guitars, cases, tuners, Zoom recorders, etc, in each classroom and one class that is bussed into the original school to utilize the equipment. I give away a guitar to the best student in each class at the end of the semester.

My goals are very simple. If I get one kid to realize that there is a world out there of beautiful music, art, graphics...anything in the creative and/or intellectual fields...anything other than what many have known to this point I'll be one happy old man.


Russ

That's really cool, Russ. I've tried to do something similar with 'disadvantaged' kids in the field of aviation through some of the organizations that I belong to (OBAP, BPA, TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, EAA, AOPA). I no longer own a private plane so no more 'Intro to flight' free rides at the airport on the weekends (I miss that), but I (We) still go into some of the inner-city schools to talk about job opportunities in the field of aviation (they all want to be fighter pilots although most couldn't pass a 3rd grade math test - ironically, they don't see that as an obstacle ).

Keep up the good work. Still hoping we can go on our pilgrimage to New Orleans (Musicians Village). I've heard some disturbing news lately about the (poor) quality of some of the HH housing being built there (rotting wood, etc.). I've been in touch with the director there but I want to go check it out for myself.

Take care of yourself and don't spread yourself too thin.

chas