Tiraspol, October 18. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Today, the music of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Frank Sinatra and other famous jazz musicians are masterfully performed by young artists from Tiraspol - members of the first school jazz orchestra in Pridnestrovie - Kid's Band. Almost all the children study at the Tiraspol school No. 12, where the band practices.
The familiar repertoire of musicians includes world compositions considered the basis of the jazz movement. The famous Sway (the English version of the Mexican mambo) or Stevie Wonder's Superstition are some of the most popular compositions that the guys tirelessly captivate the public with.
Jazz as a full-fledged musical direction became popular in the 50s of the XX century. Its original rhythms inspire musicians who are ready to share this powerful energy with as many people as possible until these days.
Who are these 20 talented and promising guys who have been dreaming about musical Olympus from their early age? How did the band form and why did they decide to play jazz? Our correspondent told about this and many other things with the founder of the Kid's Band orchestra Andrey Foksha.
- This is all because of my faultless desire to achieve something. I have been professionally engaged in music for more than 20 years: I play the trumpet in the Orchestra of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the PMR, I am the founder of the Black & White music band, there are also other projects. This still turned out to be not enough for complete creative self-realization. That is why in 2015 I decided to found a band, which would have no substitute in Pridnestrovie.
And so the Kid's Band appeared - a group of children from 7 to 16 years old who want to practice jazz not only at music lessons, but also at professional concert venues. Especially since no one has ever realized chosen direction for the team with children before me.
The rehearsal base became the Tiraspol school No. 12, where, in addition to the general educational program, the art school is located. Children are taught vocals, musical instruments, choreography, visual arts and more.
Why jazz but not folk, funk or pop?
- Jazz is not just an art, but a state of mind. It differs from other styles by its unique rhythm, which contains peculiar instrumental and vocal colors, which, for example, play a secondary role in traditional music. The jazz direction has a personal, special form. The most popular are blues and ballad, which are successfully practiced in the orchestra.
Using the necessary musical instruments - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet, trombones, trumpets, guitar, bass guitar, keys, percussion, drum, as well as two vocalists, we get an unusual sound when many people aren`t immediately aware that it is children playing.
Does your team manage to fully surrender to music? After all, in addition to the orchestra, they should also pay attention to study.
- Although the Kid's Band is exclusively a children's orchestra, the music it performs requires far from children's efforts. Rehearsals take place three times a week. One lesson lasts about two hours. The first hour of training takes place in groups, the rest of the time we devote to a joint game of the learned works. One composition takes about eight rehearsals. Children, just like in school, got their homework. But in addition to mastering formulas and writing compositions, they also learn musical parts. When collecting the entire piece, we work on polishing some moments and the overall sound.
And as for studying at school, I'd put it this way: I am aware of their academic performance. And if someone`s grades begin to be affected, I do not allow them to attend rehearsals until they correct the situation.
Do you only perform in Tiraspol or have you tried yourself internationally?
- We try our strength wherever possible. So, last year they won the Grand Prix of the Steaua de cristal Festival of Children and Youth Creativity in Chisinau. Along with many talented teams, Kid's Band got the Grand Prize.
Clarinet player Vladislav Kubasov, who has been playing in the orchestra for 5 years, joined the conversation.
“A lot of people know us, and this is a big victory. Last summer, a music video was shot, which included a medley of three tracks: Summertime, Sway and Hit the Road Jack. Tatyana Karagyaur was a vocalist. She sang one verse with a chorus. The main shooting took place in the Bendery fortress and part - in Tiraspol.”
“Soon we’ll start shooting two more videos. One is on the Russian folk song Valenki, which we plan to present at the beginning of 2020. The other one is an instrumental potpourri. We release it next autumn,” Vladislav told.
It is assumed that the first stages of shooting will take place parallel to each other. Thus, the jazz processing of the composition Valenki, performed by the famous Pridnestrovian musician Evgeny Kitaev, will be shot immediately as the snow falls. This is the conceptual basis of a musical work.
Shooting another video, in which only instrumental music will be present, will begin in November. The main idea is to introduce the audience to each artist separately by combining two diverse pieces, giving them a jazz sound. The main visual accompaniment will be the nature and views of the city at different times of the year.
When we found out about the orchestra, we wondered how the Kid's Band attracted young people. The musician Vladislav, playing the flute, shared his story with us. His grandfather and father played guitar and button accordion professionally.
“Before the orchestra he studied flute playing at the School of Arts. I love this instrument very much. In order to get into the band, I had to pass an interview and an exam, which I had passed successfully. Together with the guys I play jazz compositions of varying complexity.It gives me great pleasure. Stevie Wonder’s Superstition and Shocking blue’s Venus are my favorites,” he says.
When the trumpeter David Levchenko`s grandfather was young, he was fond of playing the drums. It was he who insisted that the grandson study at a music school, and then became part of the orchestra.
“I am in the team almost since its very foundation. I liked everything right away, so I stayed. We are not only colleagues, but also friends. After rehearsals, we can play board games, and on weekends we can go on a picnic or at sea,” the trumpeter says, noting that he plans to connect his future life with music.
David also admitted that he dreams of his own instrumental quintet, which would perform rock. But this is for the future, and in the nearest future the young man, together with the orchestra, would like to give a concert in Moscow.
17-year-old Tatyana Karagyaur has finished a comprehensive school this year, entered the Institute of Arts, but was never able to part with the Kid's Band, to whom she gave about four years of her life. She decided not to leave at all. So she remained an acting vocalist.
In addition to working in the orchestra, last year the girl won the main vocal competition of the republic Discovery, having won the Grand Prize. She also became the winner of the prestigious festival Young Performer of Pridnestrovie twice. As part of the Kid's Band, she dreams of international competitions.
The school jazz orchestra gained wide fame after participating in the Fanfares of the Dniester international festival of brass and jazz music named after Yuri Batuev. From the first notes, the young musicians impressed the demanding audience, demonstrating the professional play of complex pieces.
The head of the quintet Liberty Dmitry Sheremet considers Kid's Band a promising, interesting and unique project.
“The development of children's creativity, especially at such a professional level, is very important in terms of positioning our culture, as well as in terms of instilling good taste in young people. I am sure that the guys have a great future and soon they will talk about the Kid's Band not only in the republic, but also in other countries,” Sheremet noted.
The orchestra also had experience working with a Moldavan singer, a member of Eurovision, Jeta Burlacu.
Several compositions were sung with the Firichel children's choir of the capital Palace of Children and Youth Creativity.
At the moment, the guys are preparing for the VI International Festival-Competition of Russian Art Golden Lyre in Chisinau. The concert program has already been compiled and rehearsed, the costumes are ironed, the musicians are in anticipation of the event.
Although the participants in Kid's Band are children, their dreams do not fit the definition of “children’s”. They see the orchestra exclusively on the professional stage, promoting the jazz direction, demonstrating the diversity of the Pridnestrovian culture.
“We have something to show and to surprise with. Jazz alone is unique. Therefore, we want to introduce to it as many people as possible. And Kid's Band will certainly do this! ” the head said.
Svetlana Gulinskaya
