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MMC 251/27/2025 MMC is always an interesting place because it's the place I'd least like to be and the place I most want to be. I'll leave it there! LOL If you haven't learned by now, I'm very much about community. Each picture seen here, is worth an entire blog and what each person ( and I missed some pictures I should have taken also, especially some of my CMU classmates) means to me! So an event like this, for me centered around jazz, is very much like a family reunion, which always is multiple families, which is another element I love. Families coming together. I do have to congratulate both Northview and Rockford on all their hard work. For High School students to perform after having a week off from school because of the weather is a band directors nightmare! Thank you Mr. Wells for having me in to work with your rhythm section on a sectional. It is a fun group but I don't know about that one drummer of yours! LOL (He happens to be Mr. Wells' son Ethan who is doing an amazing job) I was so incredibly proud of Mr. McCarthy and the students at Rockford! First of all, thank you for making me part of your family! I love working with you all. I have had a long relationship with Rockford and love how it has expanded each year to now, I get to see you each week. I like mowing the lawn because when you get done, you can see what you got accomplished. I felt the same way about your performance. I knew areas that needed work, and to see that you navigated through those swingingly, was so cool! Thank you for all your hard work, receiving me respectfully, and especially rhythm section, super proud of each and everyone of you! To Mr. McCarthy, you are an inspiration and dear Brother! Much love to you and for your kind words! Side note: I do a fair amount of adjudicating. I will be doing that next week up at CMU for their jazz festival. Early on, Rob Smith who hires me, was trying to put me in a room where I have no connections to the group so it won't look like I'm partial to anyone. I have so many connections he finally just said forget! LOL What people don't realize, is if I have been working with a group, and I get put in their room, it is not to their advantage! LOL I know what we've been working on and I know what to listen to, as opposed to someone I'm hearing for the first time! Side Side note, lol, my favorite thing to do is clinic and not "judge". I'm not really much into the competition thing in music. I understand the need sometimes like EE to determine who gets to come, but for me once I'm there, it's just about celebration and community, which this year my friend Rob Ash and Ann Arbor Huron will be there, and a group I worked with in Japan will be there, so it will be extra fun with Byron this year!
Again, there is so much more to mention but I do want to also congratulate Thomas Tran. I love Thomas for many reasons, but there are so many elements that remind me of me growing up that I see in him. Bottom line is he loves the music and all of his spare time is spent practicing, going to jam sessions, going to concerts, listening to the music. He is a fun loving, respectable, curious, and kind young man, and I'm so blessed to work with him at West Ottawa each week. Proud of you Thomas! Stay the course!
4 Comments
Cullen McCarthy
1/27/2025 10:31:02 am
You are the best!!!! So blessed to have you in our family. Blessings.
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Max Colley III
1/27/2025 07:23:27 pm
No, you're the best! LOL Dude, it was a great day on Saturday! So happy for y'all! Can't wait to tell everyone in person! See ya soon!
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Sandy Billingsley
1/27/2025 07:12:32 pm
Great pictures!! Good to see G Wells and his group! Good to see a pic of Troy Anderson. Glad you had a fantastic time!!!
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Max Colley III
1/27/2025 07:24:32 pm
Yup, a good time was had by all! Thanks Sandy!
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