EDUCATION AND ALL THAT JAZZ

It was appropriate for Ahmad Alaadeen and The Deans of Swing to hold Sunday's concert at Cape Girardeau Central High School since the band is on a tour to educate the public about traditional jazz.

Despite having to compete with referee whistles from a sixth-grade boys basketball game across the hall, the five-member Deans of Swing brought the mellow sounds of jazz to about 30 grateful people in the school's auditorium.

When they had finished their hour-long session they were given a long round of applause, then spent some time meeting their fans.

Sean Maguire, 14, and his sister Annise Maguire, 16, both participate in their high school music programs. Annise is in the orchestra and Sean plays saxophone in the jazz band.

"It was amazing," Annise said. "They're all such talented musicians."

Sean said he was hoping he could use some of the things he heard in developing his own music.

Alaadeen said that is what the tour is all about.

"I'm in the business of developing young talent," he said. "We also have to educate the audience and let them know what traditional jazz is about. I like to bring the bottom line and show them what the youngsters are doing."

Alaadeen plays soprano and tenor saxophone. He was accompanied by Danny Campbell of St. Louis on trumpet; Christopher Clarke of Jamaica on piano; Tyrone Clark of from Kansas City on bass; and Matt Kane of Hannibal on drums.

Matt Pittman of Jackson occasionally plays in The Deans of Swing with Alaadeen but was unable to make the trip home to play the local concert.

"He had some things to do at school," Alaadeen said. "He's at the University of Missouri in Kansas City and they're practicing for a concert that's tomorrow. His band director wouldn't let him out.

"He would be here if it wasn't for that."

Alaadeen said he's trying to work out a trip to South Africa later in the year to spread the teaching of traditional jazz to other cultures.

"It's a double-fold thing," he said. "I'm bringing out the students and exposing them to the music and I'm exposing the audience."