Jazz Reviews
      Jazz School       Jerusalem Jazz

      Jazz Mp3s
      Max Roach
      Charlie Parker

      Links
      Blues Education
      Rimon Jazz

      Home
      Contact
      Newsletter

Jazz Guitar

Miles Davis

Wardell Gray

Sonny Rollins

Don Byas

Wayne Shorter

Grant Green

Roy Haynes

Sonny Rollins

Cannonball Adderley

Andrew Hill

Dave Brubeck

Dexter Gordon

Jackie McLean

The Philadelphians

Benny Golson

Lee Morgan

John Coltrane 2

Freddie Hubbard

Modal Miles

Coltrane Live

Steve Coleman

Spyro Gyra

Five months after 9/11, I received an unbelievable call early one Sunday morning requesting that I come to Israel to perform in 2 weeks. I had been sending out approximately emails about a tour I was trying to get off the ground... the "NO MO HARD TIMES" tour. An angel in Isreal... smile... received one of those emails and I guess ideas started flowing. I was excited but really shocked!

My family and friends were very concerned about my well being and tried to convince me not to go. It was called The 2nd International Artist Conclave Jerusalem, "God Bless the Child" Film Documentary in Solidarity with all Children in Conflict. A seven day concert tour with 15-yr. former "Tonight Show" Saxophonist & Educator Arnie Lawrence, founder of the New School in NYC.... the voice on the other end of the phone.

The year prior there were award presentations and concerts by legendary drummer Max Roach and saxophonist James Moody “MOODY'S Mood for Love“. Arnie gave me Max's number and a few days later I called Max Roach to get his opinion and advice. He said, George go and don't worry. You will be taken care of and there's more of a chance of you being killed on the streets in the USA then there.

Also on the flight was Blues singer, Evelyn Blakey, drummer the late Art Blakey’s daughter of the Jazz Messengers. Upon arrival we were greeted at the airport in high fashion, by Arnie playing about 10 choruses on his saxophone "when the Saints Come Marching In" with crowds watching on. It was beautiful and I never received that type of treatment anywhere.

With Arnie was a cameraman filming every step we took, everyday.  A dark skinned Egyptian driver in a Mercedes Station wagon chauffeured us daily. He looked like a normal black man that you would see anywhere and spoke Arabic and English as well.

During the week we made appearances and performed at Arnie’s Jazz Cafe, YMCA Hall (like a huge castle), at the top of MT. Meirom (overlooking the Sea of Galilee), The Galil, Hemdat Yamin, Haifa, MT of Olives and in Televiv at Snyder's Children Hospital (center court concert) and a special presentation for the children in the kidney dialysis section who were not able to attend.

The band consisted of (Palestinians) Muslims, Jews & Christians with nothing but creativity and love. The instruments used weren’t your typical instruments that you would hear in a regular jazz band. Some were the same instruments that were used thousands of years ago along with piano, saxophones, vocal & tap. Their sound was original, spontaneous and I found myself dancing as well as singing even though I’d never heard the music before, but it was jazz. It was an experience that I’ll always cherish.

Audiences well receptive with the same mixture.....meaning Palestinians, Jews & Christians. You see! There are certain folks out there (grass root) who refuse to let all the fighting interfere with their mission to bring people together peacefully and Jazz music our common bond was the vehicle. What else can I say? Use your imagination.

Similar to what was created at the New School in NYC, Arnie has developed satellite jazz programs in different areas of Israel with students of all nationalities. They loved and respected him. They want to learn to play jazz even though fighting is all around them. They believe Jazz music is very sacred and will go to any expense to learn how to play.

In Haifa, at a Muslim Fine Arts Center we had audience of about 50 children and parents. There was even a Jazz Tap instructor from a local dance school with about 20 dancers that put on a show for us. They also traveled to Jerusalem and performed there as well. At night while driving through Haifa you could see the Bahia Temple at the top of this mountain with white steps and sculptured trees leading to the top, lit up with bright lights. Almost like entering heaven....

Meanwhile, Jerusalem was just like scriptures you read in the Bible, and very beautiful. Olive, palm and fruit trees growing naturally everywhere, shepherd's with their sheep, goats and horses running wild in the valleys. The vendors lined the streets in the Old Jerusalem selling their merchandise in the same fashion as in biblical days. I stayed at the Mt Zion Hotel owned and operated by Palestinians. I was told that it was originally a three thousand-year-old building that was built by the Turks as a hospital. Similar to a castle, the building structure kept the same but was renovated as a modern hotel with lovely sculptured gardens, outdoor swimming pools, marble floors in every room, beautiful furniture, palm trees, and tropical plants lined the halls.

At nighttime with the city lights on, while looking out my window was one of the most beautiful sceneries imaginable. It was amazing to think that one day I was in Trenton NJ and next day in Israel. I could see Old Jerusalem surrounded by the great wall, King Solomon's Temple, Wailing Wall, Tower of David, Cenacle - Site of the Last Supper, Church of the Dormition “Where the Virgin Mary Died”, Dome of the Rock “Mosque of Omar”, and the ruins that lined the old streets. You could easily envision what it was like 3-4 thousand years ago.

Every morning at 5:00 am you could here the Muslim call, followed by what sounded like a constant hum, but was actually thousands of Muslim's chanting Islamic prayers.... very spiritual. Each day we performed at different locations mentioned above. Six nights we ended up at Arnie's Jazz Cafe. It was a jazz club named after Arnie Lawrence and located next door to the hotel, downstairs in what seemed to be like an old dungeon, but was actually a stone room that needed no sound system. It was the perfect acoustic setting for a nice gathering of jazz listeners. No amplification was needed, just musicians playing pure acoustic music.

Even though the fighting continues, we succeeded in bringing people together of different religions and nationalities to show their support in establishing a peaceful environment in the region. We used jazz music as a universal tool or message to express ourselves. There is hope, but more support is needed worldwide to bring focus to help change these conditions. It’s only the beginning and a hard road ahead. I did it for the love of music. Arnie Lawrence is a true musical warrior!

George V. Johnson, Jr.

Eddie Jefferson's #1 singing son, vocalist George (Vocalese) Johnson Jr. has stepped up his productivity considerably since determining to ditch the 9-5 gig and forge a career in jazz. You may remember his turn on Coltrane's "Moment's Notice," where his Trane-centric lyrics graced a 1981 Pharoah Sanders date reissued by Evidence. Here he continues to refine the art of flipping classic instrumental solos into lyrical expressions.

Listen to George V. Johnson, Jr. singing Star Eyes, Bitches Brew, and My Little Suede Shoes - click here!

(c) 2003 by George V. Johnson, Jr.

Arnie Lawrence - jazz musician & educator