Smooth Jazz News - October-November-Decemeber - 2024

4 0 | S M O O T H J A Z Z N E W S By Marcia Luttrell If a project Is “arthurIzed” by arthur thompson, a world-class drummer, that means It has hIs stamp of approval, and he Is passIonate about It. His short list includes the two new singles he released earlier this year, his tour with saxophonist Mindi Abair, the “We Can BEAT Cancer” song with Dave Koz and Erin Stevenson, and his “Drums Speak” program for youngsters. Thompson visits schools and summer camps across the United States to teach his drum curriculum to young students, who learn to beat rhythms on cylindrical tubano drums. This past summer, we spoke with Thompson after he conducted a lively “Drums Speak” program for first through fifth graders at Starfire Sports’ Music & Arts Camp in Tukwila, Washington. It offered five days of creative fun with drum circles, drawing and instruction about different rhythms. But encouraging children to express themselves through music is not without its challenges. Thompson recalled the third grader who “wanted to be in charge.” “Instead of getting frustrated with him, I said, ‘OK, I’ll go with this,’” said Thompson by phone before catching a plane back to his Nashville, Tennessee, home. “I had him bring his drum up with me, and I had him teach the class. The kids responded to him, and it was great. I let him lead, and he was happy, and we continued. Sometimes, we, as instructors, have so many rules, and we’re so caught up in what we’re going to do that we can miss a moment to give a kid the chance to lead. I’m trying to get them to open up, help one another, and work together in a group without worrying about getting in trouble or being set aside.” Arthur Thompson Thompson’s singing skills were a revelation both to fans and his professional peers. “ Let them hear me sing and play drums and percussion. ” brIngIng the rhythms of lIfe to every project