Something about Alex and his Bass

Merritt here.  Mandee has directed me to bring you all up to speed on the budding jazz musician in our family.  This year in school, Alex has been playing the upright bass.  (Caution to all readers.. DO NOT make the mistake of asking Alex about his cello… you will not make this same mistake twice).  Apparently the upright bass (just so you know… it looks just like a big cello) is freaking awesome.  I had to admit, in the beginning, I was a little skeptical.  Mostly this was due to the fact that it sounded as if he was slowly strangling a cat with a very deep voice as he practiced.  However, he has improved a ton during this year.  According to his teacher (who is not related to him so she didn’t have to lie to us to make us feel good) he is a stud on the big cello bass (her quote, not ours). 

A few weeks ago, he and a few of his friends decided that they were going to start their own jazz band for the annual Middle School talent show (dare to dream, boys).  There was a piano player, two alto saxophones, a clarinet and a freaking huge cello (crap… I mean bass, again).  They had exactly one practice.  It lasted just over two hours with one major accomplishment… the name of the group, of course.   (Drum roll please…)  “The Dusky Devastators…”  Please don’t ask what, why or how?  We don’t get it either.

The song that they all really wanted to play for the talent show was “The Pink Panther”.  Okay… everyone just take a moment and try to picture in your mind’s eye, five 10 year old boys, a piano, a clarinet, two alto saxophones and a bass pounding out the sultry tones of perhaps the most annoying song every written… heavenly, I tell you.

The Dusky Devastators rise to stardom was unfortunately short lived.  The group still has some very impressive long term goals, which include next year’s talent show… but this year just didn’t work out.  Apparently, it is slightly difficult to find a copy of “The Pink Panther” which has been arranged for a piano, a clarinet, two alto saxophones and the big cello looking thingy (or any song for that matter).  We’ll try again next year.