On Feb. 8, Aragon’s Jazz Ensemble played several pieces with Australian pianist Simon Rowe and his jazz group Latin Project.
“I was actually a trumpet player for many many years. [It] became the love of my life for about 30 years,” said Rowe. “Then I started being asked to play more professionally on the piano and so it’s become my weapon of choice as they say.”
Before moving to California, he lived in the midwest for thirty years. Five years ago he moved to Stockton and worked with the Brubeck Institute but, for the last 18 months he’s been working with San Francisco’s Conservatory of Music as the Executive Director of Roots Jazz, an American Music Program.
“It’s a new program; only on its second year, and because it’s new, [Simon Rowe] is trying to get the word out there to the local schools so people know about it,” said Band teacher Troy Davis.
“He contacted me … he met with the students and did some clinics during class … he had great ideas and techniques to present to the students,” said Davis. “The last time he came I said ‘It would be great if you performed with us in an upcoming concert.”
Prior to the performance, Rowe came the day before to go over the music with the band students.
“I came just to help prepare for the concert this evening and to sort of figure out what I was going to play with the band,” Rowe said.
The Aragon Jazz Ensemble opened the evening with “Free Food” a piece, by Rick Hirsch and then continued with “The Queen Bee” by Sammy Nestico. Rowe then accompanied the ensemble in two pieces: “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue” and “Too Darn Good,” featuring vocalist Ariana Grace.
After a quick intermission, Rowe and his Latin Project entertained the audience with some soothful Latin infused jazz music. Latin Project included Gerry Pineda on bass, Carlos Caro on percussion, Brian Kendrick on drums, and Rowe on piano.
At the end of the performance Rowe and his Latin Project played with senior Ryan Phung, trumpet; junior Joseph Cho, alto saxophone; and senior Nicholas Johnson, vibraphone. They played a piece called, ‘Tin Tin Deo.”
Davis explains the reason why the Music Program likes to bring professional players in.
“When you are playing jazz, a lot of music we play is not written down so students have to learn from a traditional model which is you listen to the masters and you try to recreate what you’re hearing,” Davis said. “That’s one of the best ways the students learn and get inspired to try new things.”
Cho agrees the hardest part in playing jazz comes from improvisation.
“Improvisation is definitely difficult,” he said. “Using the set of chord changes and having to create your own ideas on the spot.”
For Rowe, teaching music to youth is inspirational.
“I like the to see the light bulb go on in people’s minds and hearts,” he said. “I think music is exciting because the effect of it is instant it’s visceral and I love to be around young people discovering music.”
Many music students, such as Cho and junior Melia Zimmerman, said that performing with Rowe was an excellent learning experience.
“I got the piece about a week before the performance,” Cho said. “He came to do multiple clinics with us… I learned how to effectively incorporate melodies into my soloing.”
“It was cool to get a new perspective on how to improvise from a professional,” Zimmerman said. “He was also really good so playing with him and making a better overall sound made me enjoy playing more.”
To all music students, Rowe advises persistent practice for improvement.
“Be persistent. Be disciplined,” Rowe said. “Be consistent if you want to learn an instrument it’s a very worthwhile thing to do so be consistent with your practice and do a little bit every day and you will be surprised how quickly it comes to you.”
