PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Follow Your Dreams, says American Musician to Young Nigerians

Date: February 26, 2008
Venue: Abuja
 

The Fabulous Four with Nigerian Musicians | Full size

With great anticipation, more than thirty enthusiastic Nigerian musicians and singers entered The Dome for a “Master Class” given by the American jazz group, The Fabulous Four.  The group members - Clem Ashford, Tom McClung, Michael Robinson, and Fred Tuxx – are visiting Nigeria as part of the U.S. Mission’s American Cultural Week.  The Master Class was their first event in Abuja and first exposure to Nigerian culture.
 
The class began with The Fabulous Four discussing their educational background and musical training.  The group explained the determination and hard work required to succeed in the music industry, and Tom McClung described his career in music by saying, “I didn’t choose music.  Music chose me.”  The American musicians presented a short history of jazz, explaining that the roots of American jazz can be traced back to Africa. 

The Fabulous Four then passed the microphone around the room so the artists could briefly share their musical background and what they hoped to gain from the class.  Many expressed discouragement because family and friends want them to pursue a different path.  Clem Ashford exhorted the artists to follow their dreams, and Michael Robinson encouraged them by sharing his own personal struggles to have a career in music.  
 
Finally, the music began!  The group started by saying that R & B and rap are not far removed from jazz, and asked the audience to see for themselves.  Musicians were invited on stage with their instruments which ranged from the trumpet to bass guitar.  Tom McClung started playing on his keyboard, then the other musicians followed suit.  Singers practiced improvisation, as each had the opportunity to create vocals for the music being played. The “jam session” went on for a half hour, and the results created a positive cultural exchange between Nigerians and Americans.

Shortly before the end of the Master Class, Fred Tuxx entertained and educated the group by demonstrating the use of the diaphragm to effectively breathe while singing.  Clem Ashford then exhorted the artists to believe in themselves and reiterated his point by singing a capella.  

In closing, The Fabulous Four performed a song to thank the musicians and singers for attending.