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THE SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT Page 3 February 29, 1964 A few issues back I asked you to send me the names of jazz artists that you wanted to hear about. Get ting no response (so far), I decided to go out on a limb and try some thing new anyway. For this month, I’ve chosen to write a little on the man who ranked third in the category called “Best Alto Saxophonist” in this year’s annual Downbeat poll, Jackie McLean. I was introduced to “Jackie Mac” (through records) a couple of years ago by a friend in Washington, D. C. who is one of his most avid fans. I had heard of him before, but not being a real jazz buff had stunted me to the point where I was ac quainted with only the more popular, more commercial artists. Later, branching out, I started digging Jackie more and more—to the point where, right now, I can really ap preciate him. Now you want to know, who is Jackie McLean and why is he one of the biggest things on the jazz scene today? Jackie was born in 1932 in New York City. His father was a musician with Tiny Bradshaw, which was a good start in itself; and by the time he died in 1939, Jackie was already aware of his musical heritage. He started out playing a soprano saxo phone that belonged to his godfather and on his fifteenth birthday was presented his own alto model. His first influence was tenorist, Lester “Prez” Young, and later he heard the great Charlie Parker. Parker in fluenced Jackie (just as he has every modern jazz musician), but he was also impressed by his local neighbor hood musicians. The bandleader, An dy Kirk, gave him the first real les sons that he could appreciate. Short ly after that, he was fortunate to become acquainted with Bud Powell with whom he really began to know what was happening in jazz. Bud gave him his first real break in 1949 when he let him sit in with his group at Birdland. He was 17 then. Two years later, Bud introduced him to Miles Davis, who gave Jackie his first opportunity to record. By 1955, Jackie Mac was really “on the scene.” In 1956, he played with Charlie Mingus. Mingus is the man most responsible for Jackie’s change in attitude, and the formation of his own means of expression. After Charlie, it was Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers for two and a half years. In 1959, he opened in a play, “The Connection” and at the same time began recording on the Blue Note label. This was IT! Since his first recording on that label, Jackie has been recognized as one of the most profound, stimulating musicians around today. Where does Jackie McLean stand on various issues in jazz? First, his inclination toward doing something different became obvious in the ear ly 50’s, but getting the nerve to real ly try it was something else again. Today Jackie has that necessary nerve. His latest released record, Let Freedom Ring, attests to this. He admits that moving away from conventional attitudes in playing and chord changes and progressions was a problem of his own, but now he is bent on the freedom which is so necessary for a musician who wants to stretch out and explore himself— and his music. Jackie loves musicians who do what they feel like doing and who look for new means of ex pression. This is one of the reasons why he holds in high esteem such musicians as the pianist, Cecil Tay lor, and Ornette Coleman who play what they want to play whether it’s accepted or not. These are the peo ple who inspire Jackie in his search, along with Monk, Mingus, Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Miles, and the great Duke Ellington—people who are evol ving a new sound which he hopes will bring about just what he wants. This is a bit of Jackie McLean, a man, (to use that overworked phrase) with a plan—a plan which can be expressed in three words: Let freedom ring. JACKIE McLEAN ON BLUE NOTE New Soil (BLP4013) Swing, Swang Swingin’ (BLP4024) Capuchin Swing (BLP4038) Jackies Bag (BLP4051) Bluesnik (BLP4067) A Fickle Sonance (BLP4089) Let Freedom Ring (BLP4106) Joanne Merry ATLANTA AREA CONFERENCE on RELIGION AND RACE WHEN? February 28-29 - March 1 WHERE? Old Gammon Theological Campus, S. E. Atlanta WHO? College Students from all Atlanta Area Schools COST? $10.00 (half-scholarships available) See your campus minister or representative for more information and registration form. He is N. M. Rates, Rockefeller, 204. Clubs In The News Since the beginning of the second semester, some of the clubs and or ganizations on our campus have been in the news spotlight or will be at some future date. On January 30, the physical edu cation majors sponsored their annual square dance in Read Hall. This year the dance was somewhat unusual. The majors added a bit of authen ticity to the atmosphere by having professionals there to do the calling. The dance was well attended, and those who came expressed their en joyment. In the future, it is the hope of the Physical Education department that the square dance will become a regular event instead of an annual one. This organization was again in the spotlight on February 14, when it sponsored an intramural basketball tournament. The students as well as the majors were invited to participate. Prior to this event, a basketball clinic was held. An invitation was ex tended to Mr. Hambrick, one of the coaches at Clark College, who ad vised the players and gave them some helpful pointers on the game itself. Mary Reeder is the president of this club. Eleanor Hinton, a member of Spel- man’s chapter of the YWCA, attend ed a meeting of the national officers in New York from January 29 to February 1. El, as she is amiably called, is the national vice chairman of this organization. The purpose of this meeting was to plan the pro grams of forthcoming conferences and conventions, and to implement the actions of the national student council. Shortly afterwards, Eleanor attend ed the Geneva Regional Assembly in Chicago as a representative of the national officers. Its purpose was to help interpret national policies, pro grams, and projects. Charles Etta White is the president of Spelman’s chapter. The next organization that was in the spotlight was the French club. On February 14, Dr. Rukalski, chair man of the French department, en tertained the members of this club and other interested persons by read ing a paper entitled Sur une ligne de Marc-Aurele. Those who attended were certainly enlightened. Another annual event is the swim ming show which is presented jointly by the Spelman swimming club and the Morehouse swimming team. For past performances, some of the themes were centered around George Gershwin, great movie themes, and Adventures to Paradise. This year the theme will be centered around the months of the year. Included in this year’s presentation will be tunes such as “Autumn Leaves”, “Sum mertime”, and “White Christmas.” The month of June will be represent ed by a wedding. In the past, the swimming show has received many gratifying com ments. With the addition of new members from both sides, hope for the same prevails. As usual there will be two performances, March 6 and 7, and the public is invited. The time will be announced later. Val- jean Williams is the president of this aquatic group. If there are other clubs and or ganizations which have news or an nouncements, do not hesitate to con tact Gloria Knowles in Abby 221. Spelmanites and those persons con nected with our college are interest ed in the plans and activities of each organization. This Week s Best Sellers FICTION The Group, McCarthy. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, LeCarre. The Shoes of the Fisherman, West. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Fleming. The Venetian Affair, Mclnnes. GENERAL Four Days, Edited by Catton. Profiles in Courage, Kennedy. JFK: The Man and the Myth, Lasky. Peachtree Street, USA, Sibley. The South and the Southerner, McGill. Confessions of an Advertising Man, Oglivy. STUDENTS TOUR OF EUROPE Let's Go There Summer 1964 . . . Via Sea or Air VISIT 11 COUNTRIES ENGLAND - HOLLAND - RELGIUM - GERMANY - SWITZERLAND - LIECHTENSTEIN - AUSTRIA - ITALY - MONACO - FRANCE - LUXEMROURG PRICE INCLUDES: Transportation, hotels, meals, sight seeing, transfers each city. Supplement your education with a trip to Europe. Get a head-start in the international world of tomorrow by visiting and seeing at first hand the great historical and cultural masterpieces at the fountainhead of Western Civilization. For further information complete coupon and return to Mrs. Helen Brooks, Faculty Coordinator or HENDERSON TRAVEL SERVICE 931 Hunter Street, N. W. Atlanta, Georgia 30314 Campus Representative, Miss Sylvin Thompson, SY 4-8098 Please register me for European Tour. A deposit of $25.00 is needed to hold a reservation. My deposit is enclosed Expect deposit by date. NAME AGE... SCHOOL CLASSIFICATION SCHOOL ADDRESS HOME ADDRESS Also wide selection of low-cost tours for Teachers Gloria A. Knowles