JAM: October/November 2006 Issue: Feature Story

Alaadeen's “Don't Leave the Porch” Story
(from www.alaadeen.com)

"The bug hit me at the tender age of about five. I was living three or four doors down the street from Jay McShann at around 10th & Park at the time. I would constantly hear all of this commotion coming from Jay's house - like people having a good time. They were blowing and playing and stuff like that. The music really moved me beyond description. However, my mother told me: 'Boy, don't you leave this porch. If you leave this porch, I'm going to have to do something to you'. But, despite the forewarned consequences, the music had a stronger influence than my mother's order not to go any closer to listen. One day, the urge was too much and I left the porch to go down to Jay's house. I recall looking through the screen door and seeing these people just having a good time playing this music. And from there, my mind was made up and I said that's what I want to do. After several moments of actually being up close and watching the musicians as I listened to their music, I thought about what my mother said. I immediately ran back home to our porch. Of course, she was there waiting on me."

That particular band, which the young Mr. Alaadeen heard rehearsing almost everyday was, of course, Jay McShann's famous unit. It also included Charlie Parker. The positive impact of the experience stayed with him. Alaadeen's love for music and his choice of occupation has been sealed ever since.






	Search our site:		Alaadeen's “Don't Leave the Porch” Story (from www.alaadeen.com) "The bug hit me at the tender age of about five. I was living three or four doors down the street from Jay McShann at around 10th & Park at the time. I would constantly hear all of this commotion coming from Jay's house - like people having a good time. They were blowing and playing and stuff like that. The music really moved me beyond description. However, my mother told me: 'Boy, don't you leave this porch. If you leave this porch, I'm going to have to do something to you'. But, despite the forewarned consequences, the music had a stronger influence than my mother's order not to go any closer to listen. One day, the urge was too much and I left the porch to go down to Jay's house. I recall looking through the screen door and seeing these people just having a good time playing this music. And from there, my mind was made up and I said that's what I want to do. After several moments of actually being up close and watching the musicians as I listened to their music, I thought about what my mother said. I immediately ran back home to our porch. Of course, she was there waiting on me." That particular band, which the young Mr. Alaadeen heard rehearsing almost everyday was, of course, Jay McShann's famous unit. It also included Charlie Parker. The positive impact of the experience stayed with him. Alaadeen's love for music and his choice of occupation has been sealed ever since. RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2006. All rights reserved.