From:
ducs_go_quac@hotmail.com
Subject:
keppin' it [kinda]
short, keepin' it [totally] real. Thanks to you.
Date:
November 15, 2006 1:51:02
PM PST
To:
gfmlely@jazcraft.net
sorry to take your time, my name is
Ben Wilcox, i am 18 and am
currently studying at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
(WAAPA) in jazz keys (Contemporary jazz). I got in initially through
drumming, which i have read you participate(d) in (percussion), but
chose to switch for, well - it could be said i was born to play;
grandma owns the con. of jazz piano in NZ and down the line it goes,
blah blah blah.
I dont want to hold you up but i find
you the first artis i have been
compelled to e-mail due to your profound effect upon me. Artists alike
The Duke, sarah mclachlan, Dave Mathews Band, Prince, Massive Attack,
Alicia Keys, Clapton, Goerge Benson, John Mayer, Monty Alexander, Bill
Evans, Marian McPartland, Korn etc. (wierd mix, i know) have literally
kept me alive through my life, but your piano playing seems to...infact
i have no idea! It inspired me not only to make piano (jazz/music) a
predominant aspect of my life but also research the scientific
(physiological and psychological) effects of music, im currently awake
at 4:11 am - writing essays and reports on such the topic as i am now
also studying at the university.
I chose to tell you these so random
sorts of subjects because i was
told (during a conert) by the head jazz coordinator, as i awaited in a
wing to perform, that artists' either;
play to themselves ,for themselves,
alone. Or
record and perform in an attempt to
reach,teach,influence/help others.
I was so extremely nervous, but i was
ridiculously determined to let a
quater of Perth hear, see but mostly feel me play Fat Butterfly, your
uplifting but charged rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic, and
finally Thredony for an Unborn Child - being able to play the songs as
entities, dimensions of me, apposed to just beleiving in independant
notes of my own work, and sharing that; alike all the other artists
that night.
It worked...like; alot.
to my surprise people came to me after
the concert and celebrated the
peices, iv had it before in high school n stuff, but never like this.
i obviously wasnt the greatest player
at the concert (playing yours
note for note, but some players are just stupidly good. Like the tutors
n guests etc.), and i obviously told during my part they were yours but
i could tell they were having a huge effect because this portion of the
concert was the only part that had the entire auditorium in complete
silence (during the entire night). People took your songs seriously,
very seriously. You have an ability to make people sit'down, shut-up n
agree with you melodies and harnessed bass rythms and complementing
accents. People get something from listening to your music man, i had a
mother say to me "thanks Ben, i thought as you walked off; i feel
better than before because of that song." Thats full-on man.
I still dont understand why your
playing kicks my ass everytime i hear
it, but i hope to figure it out one day so i can do it to others, and
let them know what it feels like to be helped on a deeper level than
the superficial.
So, thank you. Just thought id let you
know there's people out there
than are better 'cause of your choice to play for them. And i
definately hope to see you play.
(i also dont mind if this never
reaches you directly (erased as random
mail or agents or whatever dealing with it, i just hope it in some way
gets to you, helps you, even if its just to make you aware, so i can
give something back.
Cheers man.
Ben