Latin Jazz Conversations: Zaccai Curtis (Part 1)
A childhood immersed in great musical experiences sets the stage for the emergence of a great musician. Listening can be a powerful way to peek interest in a young person, and the more time they spend hearing music, the more it will resonate with them. The more interested a child becomes, the more likely that they will find their way to an instrument. They need large amounts of encouragement and opportunity at this point, but once they have it, they will work hard to master the details of their chose instrument. Performing with an ensemble exposes the child to the social aspect of music and gives them an idea of the rush of live music; this will only serve to encourage them more. Involvement with jazz allows a young person to express their own identity, helping them define themselves in an often confusing part of life. Each stop along the way digs a young person deeper into budding artistic conviction and opens the door to an involved musical lifestyle.
