Journey is a story of music. From its opening paragraph to its closing sentence, young Shake Tauffler’s four-year journey is infused with it: its sound, its heroes, its songs, his struggle to learn it, his triumph in performing it, and the joyous way it can lift him free of the forces that seek to entrap and shape him.
The following jazz performances are selected from the multitude of songs that appear in different ways and places along the path his journey takes, songs that are Shake’s concept of Utah Jazz.
My gratitude to YouTube and to the contributors who make it possible for the rest of us to share these performances.
“Greensleeves,” from the music store whose owner helps him track down the instrument he heard in the cattle truck. Piano, violin, and cello performers unknown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwtgIm1ySwY
“Danny Boy,” from the seventh grade Thanksgiving assembly where his young female classmate plays a solo violin rendition. Performed by Diana Krall and the Chieftains.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVUNbNp6Ct4
“My Funny Valentine,” a song his classmate asks him if he knows and one he goes on to learn and perform in Book 2 of the trilogy. Performed by Chet Baker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPkCbIa1hmg
“I Loves You Porgy,” a song he learned in the sandpit and plays for his teacher the first day he meets him. Performed by Bill Evans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FI7piXLays
“Someone to Watch over Me,” a song he learned in the sandpit and plays that first day in his teacher’s studio. Sung by Renee Olstead. Chris Botti trumpet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai9qy9aY3vM
“Over the Rainbow,” a song he learned in the sandpit and plays that first day in his teacher’s studio.from his teacher’s studio. Performed by Ben Webster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CHzdyJps6M
“It Ain’t Necessarily So,” a song he learned in the sandpit and plays that first day in his teacher’s studio. Performed by Miles Davis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uqtzuGtjuA
“Laura,” the actual song he learns from the first record album his teacher starts letting him take home to study and play along with in his garage. Performed by Clifford Brown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6abYzamJ06g
“Can’t Help Lovin Dat Man,” a song he knows and learns to play from hearing his mother play it on the piano. Performed by Kenny Dorham.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxsswXWNGt4
“Stormy Weather,” the song his band teacher chooses to have him play solo in front of his band class in order to see what he can do. Performed by Charles Mingus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP37lLk1va8
“Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” from one of the closing scenes in the garage, when his father mentions the song to him. Performed by Louis Armstrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=894v6kNSYu8
“Scrapple from the Apple,” the first song he and his band perform in the spring assembly in the high school gym. Original recording by Charlie Parker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7MCqCjvReo
“Take Five,” the second song he and his band perform in the spring assembly in the high school gym. Original recording by the Dave Brubeck Quartet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RpfoH0drZ8
“Summertime,” the third song he and his band perform in the spring assembly in the high school gym. Performed by Miles Davis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgmEY41baKM