Jazz for world peace
MUSIC
THE world celebrated (or should have celebrated) International Jazz Day last Friday.
A group of jazz lovers in Port Moresby wanted to stage a number of eventss to allow seasoned musicians, eager students or simply anyone else who likes jazz to join the fun and spread the message of peace.
Things did not work out according to plan but the group managed to stage a couple of gigs including visits to schools to generate interest an appreciation of jazz as a music genre and and agent for peace.
Blame it on Covid-19 of course.
Event organisers Community Arts Link Sales and Training (Cals) Pacific Jam had planned a lineup of events for a few schools, the Chesire disAbility Services, the American Corner at the National Library and a ‘blowout concert’ at the University of PNG but much of that had to be scraped.
Cals Pacific Jam’s John Ani Murray and his band Jazz in the Park got together to organise events in the days leading up to the day, April 30. At the Cheshire isAbility Services Jazz in the Park performed for residents of the centre and students from Hohola Demonstration School. At Port Moresby International School (Pomis) a short session was held for music students in grades seven to 12.
James Ruru from the Department of National Planning and Monitoring and a jazz enthusiast himself, encouraged the Pomis students to consider music as a sellable commodity much like sports, through which successful athletes like rugby league stars have developed their skills to a level where they are now playing at international competitions.
“Government agencies are encourage and promoting arts and sports so that young people especially could identify their own talents and use them to make a life for themselves later on,” he said.
Murray, along with fellow musicians, Peter Kailap, bassist of the erstwhile Tambaran Culture band of the National Arts School (now part of the Faculty of Creative Arts of the University of PNG), Jerry David (guitar), and Steven Kairi (wind instruments) entertained the students with a few jazz pieces. The finale also saw Pomis music teachers Moprehari Kake and Nathan Killian joining in on key board and guitar respectively, much to the delight of the music students.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has recognised jazz as a force for peace, intercultural dialogue and cooperation.
Since 2012, organisers from over 190 countries have produced a record number of Jazz Day events every year.
This makes Jazz Day one of the fastest growing and most enthusiastically supported international days.
William Ramsey from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz said in a press statement: “In 2021, we are especially proud to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of International Jazz Day, and are asking partners in every corner of the globe to consider organising ambitious programmes that spread the positive message of Jazz Day far and wide.
“We are proud to count John Ani Murray as a longtime International Jazz Day partner and organiser, whose efforts have helped ensure Papua New Guinea’s continued participation in this important programme. We are pleased that Murray and Cals Pacific Jam have indicated a commitment to organise a Jazz Day celebration in 2021.
“We encourage our partners to celebrate in their own way, whether by producing a festival or concert, gathering musicians together for a jam session, curating an educational programme for local students, meeting friends for a listening party, organising a community service project, having a public discussion on jazz or petitioning their local government to officially recognise the day. We rely upon the voluntary participation of organizers like Murray to make the international celebration of jazz possible.”
Jazz in PNG
In PNG, there are a number of jazz musicians that Murray says he has worked with like Pius Wasi, Awans Gwaiko, Jerry David, Buruka Tau, Peter Kailap, Steve Kairi, Eddie Elias, late Tony Subam, Charlie Komboi, Max Meauri, Nathan Walters, Ben Hakalits, Richard Mogu, David Saun, Austin Waira and Leeroy Murray, to name a few.
Any development pathway for young talents?
Murray says before we talk about any development for young talents, we must first have an arts industry and organisation that truly represents their voice. Then all other activities will flow in line.
“Our young talents can be professionally trained and take part in international and local competitions and work in international movie or music companies marketing their creativity and skills.”
Why jazz is catching on in PNG?
Murray again: “Jazz is catching on in PNG because of its rich attributes. Jazz is unique in its own form and truly expresses one’s inner feeling through their instruments. Jazz promotes respect for human rights and human dignity, eradicating discrimination, bolstering freedom of expression, fostering gender equality, and reinforcing the role of youth in enacting social change. That’s why it is slowly picking up that momentum now in PNG. Hopefully our government, its responsible agencies, stakeholders and community can support this billion-dollar industry forward.”
Wind instrumentalist and part-time music tutor at UPNG Leeroy Murray says it is a challenge in studying music, especially jazz and classical music, given that most Papua New Guineans are exposed to popular, reggae and rock music.
Murray, who is mostly featured as a session musician in many PNG bands, gathered fellow music teachers and students to commemorate International Jazz Day at the campus last Friday.
“Reading music helps a lot in creating musical pieces but most of our musicians learn by ear. If you learn how to read music, it makes it easier.
“UPNG music students are strictly assessed on jazz and classical music, unless they have a rock or popular piece that proves that they can find the music and prove that they’re reading.”
According to John Ani Murray, there are career prospects in the music including music director, recording engineer, artist manager, tour manager, music journalist, teacher, composer, music entrepreneur, and music arranger.
When did jazz originate?
The website neworleans.com says: “Trying to put your finger on exactly when jazz was born can’t be done. We don’t know when but we do know where: It happened here in New Orleans. In fact, it’s happening right now. Jazz is born, dies, and is reborn every day.
“Some say jazz grew out the drumming and Voodoo rituals that took place in New Orleans’ Congo Square before the Civil War. Others say jazz was born in 1895, the year Buddy Bolden started his first band. Still others say it happened in 1917, when Nick LaRocca and his Original Dixieland Jazz Band recorded the first jazz record, Livery Stable Blues.