70's Jazz

The Jazz City

As long as I can remember I always loved jazz music. Growing up it was the main genre of music we played. My father played the tenor saxophone. My mother played piano growing up but since we didn't have a piano she just wrote music for my father. My brother didn't like jazz. He wanted to play the electric guitar in the rock genre. My father was disappointed that he didn't want to follow in his footsteps and that was one of the reasons their relationship was so strained but he still bought him that guitar on his 13th birthday because my father just wanted him to be musical. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1957. My father was a retired officer and played the tenor saxophone all his life. My older brother, Ghram was in a little band that played rock music. They were just amateurs so nothing big. He is two years older so I was often his target of mischievous actions. New Orleans was known for being the birthplace of jazz. Everywhere was filled with jazz music. Every corner there would be a man playing the trombone. Due to growing up around this music I fell in love with it. Unlike most girls who loved jazz I didn't inspire to be a dancer nor a pianist. I wanted to play the trumpet. My mother tried to make me play piano but when I turned 10 years old she finally gave up. When I turned 12 I got a trumpet and played and practiced every day. Now I'm 15 and my dad says I should go out on the corners and play for tips. "I'm not that good" I sulked. "Giselle. You can do anything. You just need to believe yourself." He claimed.

Every Sunday my family attends church. I have and made many good friends in my Sunday school classes. One of those friends are Elise Friezer. I woke up early and took a shower. I picked out a lavender dress with purple flowers around the skirt. I walked in class waiting for the rest. Elise walked in with her white skirt and light blue blouse. "Hey Giselle!" She squealed. I shrieked. I haven't seen Elise all week. We hugged and she pulled a chair next to me. "How was Florida?" I asked. "I met a guy." Elise whispered. We squealed. "How's he like? What does he look like? What's his name?" I asked. Elise laughed. The rest of the class arrived and so did the teacher. "Tell me downstairs." I stated. Elise nodded. We listened to the lesson and when we were wrapping up a young man walked in. "Hello. I just want to inform you students that we are having try outs for the youth band. If you sing, play piano, saxophone, violin, or trumpet we could use you! Any who is interested please raise your hand and I will hand you the flyer." He announced. Elise elbowed me. I turned to her and mouthed "What?" "Sign up!" She whispered. I shook my head. Elise raised her hand "Giselle wants one!" She shouted. The man walked over and laid a flyer in front of me. He passed out the rest to the other students who raised their hands and left. "Why would you do that?" I asked when we were walking out. "Because you are great at playing the trumpet." She encouraged. I smiled. Maybe I should.

When we were all in the car I told my parents about the youth band. "That sounds great!" My dad exclaimed. "But you seem doubtful. Giselle what's wrong?" My mom asked. "I don't know if I'm good enough." I confessed. My dad turned around. "You need to believe in yourself. You play the trumpet great." My dad enthused. I smiled and nodded. We drove home where my brother was waiting. "That took forever." He complained. My brother didn't like the church services so he often stayed home unless he was forced by my mother. My mother rolled her eyes. "Ghram don't start." My mom growled. "Celeste calm down." My father comforted. My mom went to her room and slammed the door. What was wrong with her? My father frowned. He went to the basement to practice his saxophone. "What's up with them?" Ghram asked. I shrugged.