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Teen Jazz Artists
Rachel Cantrell - Piano
Rachel Cantrell, 16 years old
Stevenson Ranch, CA
West Ranch High School
Piano, playing 12 years
Electric keyboards: Yamaha and Casio
Acoustic: Estonia
= I began studying music at the age of 4 when my parents enrolled me in
piano group classes. Up until my freshman year in high school I only studied
classical music; the number of competitions I've done and pieces I've played are
countless, and this study also included (and still includes) studying music
theory in a 10-year theory program called Certificate of Merit (MTAC.org). In my
first year of high school I did my first concerto with the community orchestra
-- one of the greatest and scariest memories of my life.
Jazz, however, began my freshman year when I showed up for an audition for the
jazz program at my high school. To be honest, I had no idea what jazz was --
chord symbols made absolutely no sense to me at all. For some reason, I still
placed in the advanced jazz band. But this still frustrated me -- how could it
be that I understood so little about something I loved so much? So for an entire
year, I studied all I could about jazz -- especially piano jazz -- including
chord symbols, rhythm changes, and standard tunes. I even enrolled in an arts
program at CalArts (which is in my area) for jazz, where I learned the most
about improv.
I'm now in my third year in the jazz program (and in jazz in general) and I love
it -- I love the music, the history, and the groove. I lead the rhythm section
in the jazz band in regards to the whole band in general.
Currently I participate in the advanced jazz band at my high school and
take community arts classes at CalArts and through SCVYO.
My case is a bit unique -- my focus isn't entirely on jazz piano, but it's also
on my jazz blog which I started up this summer after listening to a few jazz
players in my area. I've got a big passion in writing -- so to be able to
combine both of my passions is great for me. The blog is at www.thejazzpost.com,
and I've been writing about my favorite jazz musicians and the shows that I
attend -- In fact, today I'm going to the Jazz Through the Generations show in
Palos Verdes to check out the performers and KKJazz's LeRoy Downs.
I'm also taking part in starting up the jazz combo program at my school and I'll
be in our first jazz combo -- something that I'm very excited for.
I also teach basic piano -- I know that piano lessons are expensive, but I do
not believe that it should be a reason that children do not get exposed to
music, especially a core instrument like piano. I only charge $10 for half an
hour so that I can expose them to music without being a burden on their parents,
and pass them on to more experienced teachers when I feel that they are ready,
or I introduce them to new instruments if piano's just not their "thing."
My biggest influence is Count Basie (and his orchestra, including
the All-American rhythm section), mainly for his simplicity in his improvisation
and his influence on the jazz world. I also look up to the new artist, Hiromi
Uehara, and her group, SonicBloom; I can connect to her love for piano and to
her Japanese heritage.
Another one of my influences is Marian McPartland, who is managing one of the
longest-running radio shows in history, Piano Jazz, through NPR. McPartland is
both a jazz pianist and a journalist, which is what I aspire to be.
I study classical piano with Elizabeth Petersen, who attended
Juilliard and teaches piano privately in my area.
As for jazz, my jazz director is Robert Babko; I study privately with Daisuke
Iwasaki, who studied jazz piano at the Berklee School of Music, when I visit
Japan. (His site is at http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~qnm47791/index.html; but it
is all in Japanese.) Currently I take lessons with Mark Nilan
(www.marknilanjr.com); please see his "about" page there.
I believe that the greatest thing about music is that no one can hate
it, since it possesses such a wide variety of genres. With this kind of
influence, I think that music can be used to advocate anything. I plan to
continue my blog (www.thejazzpost.com) and work in writing about music, as well
as playing jazz for the purpose of influencing those younger than me. Jazz never
ages -- it sounds just as great from someone as old as Dave Brubeck as it does
from someone as young as Esperanza Spalding.
Teen Jazz offers one page hosting with space for a bio and a picture for Teen Jazz Musicians (or just young musicians, you do not necessarily have to be a "jazz musician"). If you are interested in being added to Teen Jazz, there are two ways that you can become a Teen Jazz Artist;
(A) You can write your own biography, including your name, how many years you have been playing, and where you are from and send it to Shannon Kennedy, or
(B) you can fill out the Teen Jazz Artists form to apply for eligibility.
Either way is easy and will only take you a few minutes. Don't miss out on this great opportunity for exposure!
Check out what the future of music looks like here with these talented young teen jazz artists.
Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. In any of the boxes, state that you are interested in being featured, list your website, and Teen Jazz will see if you will be the next feature. You will be notified by email.
(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.
(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.
(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.
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