About Clazzical Music

Clazzical Music is the topic of this blog. I was once asked what kind of music are you playing? The individual didn't understand why I did not have the traditional construction of the intro, the body, the bridge and finally the climax. I grew up with the traditional songs of the 60's and 70's and the music was a great part of my life as a teenager. I also remember as a child being exposed to the orchestra of my home town in Columbus, Ohio. My very first symphony was Peter and the Wolf. I never forgot it and at times I relive that moment. It was at this concert that I knew I loved music even as a child.

Growing up was sometimes rough with a single parent raising 10 children in the projects but there are many individuals that have this story and I won't pretend that it is a special hard case. I knew I love music but we definitely could not afford music lessons so the next best thing was playing the instrument that was accessible at our elementary school. I never will forget my school Windsor Elementary School although I do not remember the music teacher but I remember trying to play the violin. I enjoyed playing it but black boys didn't do well in the projects playing the violin so eventually I switched to the upright bass. I eventually switched again to the baritone horn (the brass instrument). These experiences lit a fire within me that would not die out.

Although my musical skills did not include the piano or advanced classical training, I kept the desire for music deep in my heart. Although I did not understand it, but my classical learning and 3 doctoral degrees later I would begin to understand the power of communication and voices. In studying public speaking and teaching it to my students I discovered that every voice can tell a story. Music is the communication of the inner essence of the heart. When an individual plays from their heart they are giving their experiences, their feelings and the subconscious communications of the soul.

Clazzical Music is just that the outflow of all of my experiences from my life's journey until now. It is music that is more thematic than with a structured pattern. Communication is not always patterned or even structured. Sometimes it winds up going all over the place. That is kind of what Clazzical Music is. Because of my back ground as a lover of music clazzical contains all of the types of music that I have ever listened to. It is combined with classical, gospel, jazz, world music and r&b. It is an ongoing communication of what I am feeling in my heart and it is not always written with the patterns that most music contains. It is like classical jazz with a twist of classical music where each instrument tells their story with instruments that are traditionally used for orchestra and easy listening.

Clazzical is an unveiling of my journey, my communications that tell the same story from the voice of different instruments. I have only been writing and playing seriously for about maybe 4-5 years. Music is my release and I try to practice and play every day. Because of my schedule as an instructor and professor as well as counseling I have very little time but I have found that passion is the best instructor. I have gone back to listen to my older pieces and compared them with my newer projects. I hear me getting better and growing and given time I may reach my goals with clazzical and jazzical music. The journey is a never-ending journey and I am definitely loving the trip.

D. Reeves