“Jazz is a Happy Thing”

On November 12, 2024, jazz/drumming legend, Roy Haynes, passed away at the age of ninety-nine. Throughout that week, I listened to a number of albums he played on throughout his career. As I was going through my vinyl collection, I started listening to Jackie McLean’s album, Destination Out… When I am listening to a record, I make sure to take the time to read through the liner notes. This allows me to learn more about the album, enriching my understanding and deepening my appreciation for the music. At the end of the Destination Out… liner notes, Jackie McLean wrote the following:

“Jazz is a happy thing and there are a lot of musicians around waiting to give a little happiness to a world filled with so much unrest.”
— JACKIE MCLEAN

This quote really resonated with me and brought back a memory of playing at Touch of Europe in Sioux Falls in the mid to late 2000’s. I had a band called Milestones, which comprised of musicians I met through all-state jazz band and regional pros. After we finished the first set, a woman came up to me to share how much she enjoyed listening to the music. Even as a young musician I could feel the joy that was radiating from her as she spoke of the music. Before I could thank her, she shared that her week had been particularly difficult and that listening to our music lifted her spirits. That moment was the moment I realized that music can have a profound impact on the audience you are playing for; sometimes in unexpected ways. I pledged then and there that I would give it my all every time I step on a stage whether the audience was one person or many. Making music is a blast; but making connection to people through music is something miraculous!

Fast forward to 2024, and Fellowship Jazz Center was born. As stated in our mission statement, we are dedicated to building a regional jazz arts community by introducing jazz to new audiences, education, and live performances. Having the word “fellowship” in our name echos a core belief I have had for many years. That is that music has a unique power to unite people from all walks of life, bringing listeners and performers together in harmony. In those transcendent musical moments, it has the ability to lift us above the unrest of daily life, even if only for a fleeting moment.

As I sit here and reflect on the first eight months of Fellowship Jazz Center, I am filled with gratitude. Gratitude to those that have attended the jazz jam, went to the jazz crawl, came to one of our educational events, checked out our regional jazz calendar or read our blog. It is my hope that, through America’s greatest art form, we have spread a little happiness to the community around us.

We are excited to continue our work of celebrating and uplifting the regional jazz community in 2025 and beyond. I am personally thrilled for the launch of the Fellowship Jazz Center Orchestra on International Jazz Day April 30, 2025!

Thank you for believing in our mission from the very beginning and we look forward to seeing you in 2025!