NOW, A JAZZ MOMENT...

MUSIC:

Head Start
CD: Happenings
Originally released 1966, 2006 Blue Note Records

NEA JAZZ MASTER BOBBY HUTCHERSON GAVE HIS FIRST PERFORMANCE ON THE VIBRAPHONE FOR A HIGH SCHOOL TALENT SHOW, HAVING ONLY PLAYED THE INSTRUMENT FOR 2 WEEKS. HE COULDN'T YET READ MUSIC, SO THE BAND LEADER USED A FELT TIP PEN TO WRITE NUMBERS ON THE VIBRAPHONE BARS IN THE ORDER THAT BOBBY SHOULD HIT THE NOTES.

Bobby Hutcherson: I was supposed to be this whiz who could play the vibraphone in 2 weeks. And when we got ready to go onstage, the stage manager of the place told me, he said, "OK you kids, get out there and play. Oh ? and Bobby, by the way, I saw a bunch of black stuff all over your bars so I took a wet towel and I wiped it off." I said, "You didn't." He said, "Yes I did, now get on out there and have a great time!" My heart started beating like mad and the curtain opened and I think I remembered the first note. And from then on everything was chaos and all the kids at school were laughing. (sighs) Yeah, that was a rough one.

MUSIC:up and fades

THIS JAZZ MOMENT WITH VIBRAPHONIST BOBBY HUTCHERSON WAS CREATED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.