[Dixielandjazz] Teen Age Youth Playing Jazz Banjo Style

[Gluetje1 at aol.com]

For those with interest, YouTube links are below.
 
Many of you are aware, but many may not be, that any youth instruction or  
youth involvement in learning to play 4-string jazz-style banjo is extremely 
 scarce these days.
 
In early spring of 2011 I was asked to coordinate some joint playing  
efforts for all teenagers who could attend the Boston Banjo Bash the first  
week-end in June.  (Paul Poirier and Steve Caddick were co-hosts for this  Bash.) 
 Four managed to attend, Jesse Rock, I think 13, who has been  studying 
about 2 years with Norbert Hebert.  Jesse is on the left in the  stage concert. 
 On the right is Nathan Hanna who started studies with Buddy  Griffin and 
the Houston All-Stars Banjo Band during his latency age years.   Nathan 
became 15, in I believe, May or June of this year.   (You should be able find 
other YouTubes of both Nathan and Jesse  with a YouTube search.)  Peyton 
Buehrer, age 14, is sitting between  Nathan and Blake, his twin.  Peyton started 
banjo studies with me in May of  '08 and Blake in February of '09.  For the 
two of them, most  weeks, study is limited to a once a week hour of youth 
banjo band rehearsal,  with any individual studies being on an "as time can be 
found" prn basis.
 
These four boys had essentially "no" ensemble rehearsal before they did the 
 public performance outside at the mall.  They had been emailed copies of  
the music lead sheets along with suggestions for approaches and styling of 
the  tunes.  They had one hour long ensemble rehearsal before they played the 
 afternoon concert program you see below.  
 
Quartet in concert: 
1. Opening Number: "Amazing Grace" 2 minutes
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz-PDXaYpTU_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz-PDXaYpTU) 
 
2.  Verbal Introductions + medley of "Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear" and  "Yes, 
Sir, That's My Baby" 4 1/2 minutes
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIrOHQMy4MI_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIrOHQMy4MI) 
 
3.  "When You And I Were Young Maggie + WYAIWYM Blues"  2 3/4  minutes
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfi2I7d0O8_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfi2I7d0O8) 
 
 
A Multiple Highlights Clip Video.  10 1/2 minutes.  Some of it  filmed 
during public concerts outdoors at mall and in bookstore.  Some of  it filmed 
jamming or on Sat. afternoon concert stage.
 
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni6ptjv2ua8&feature=youtu.be_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni6ptjv2ua8&feature=youtu.be) 
 
Ginny