Cleveland State High School music teacher Shane Purnell ( left) and student Tim Reed ( right) jam with jazz legend James Morrison. Photo by MELISSA GIBSON
Music teacher Shane Purnell, left, and 16-year-old student Tim Reed were delighted to take part in a Creative Generation workshop with jazz great James Morrison, right, at Cleveland State High School. Photo by MELISSA GIBSON
Cleveland State High School music teacher Shane Purnell ( left) and student Tim Reed ( right) jam with jazz legend James Morrison. Photo by MELISSA GIBSON
A JAM session with jazz legend James Morrison is enough to put a few quavers into the boots of any budding musician.
But not 16-year-old Cleveland District State High School trumpeter Tim Reed, who met his jazz idol, and then accompanied him on stage during two workshops at the school last week.
Tim was one of 16 star music students across the state to be chosen to play on stage with Morrison at next month's Creative Generation concert, which showcases the best of state schools.
The two-day workshop at Cleveland gave Morrison, and his band of merry students, the chance to get down to business before taking to the stage at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
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"When I found out I was selected to play with James Morrison, I couldn't believe it at first because I'd always heard about him and he is a bit of an idol," Reed said.
"I was a little apprehensive but I'm glad we're having two sessions before the Convention Centre," he said.
Morrison, known for his love of fast cars, grand sailing boats, Miss Australia and rousing jazz trumpet solos, will now be able to add mentoring Cleveland District State High School music students to his list of passions.
The former Top Gear presenter, who turns 50 this year, said he had been to the school 15 years ago when he and students organised a concert at Mount Cotton and he promised to keep his links with the school.
"We decided to hold the workshops at Cleveland District State High because of the school's exceptional reputation for music," Morrison said.
"It's a passion of mine to mentor young kids who love music enough to want to make a career out of it.
"I've been in the industry for 37 years now and it's been great to me and I'd love others to experience that too.
"The Creative Generation is a good chance for kids to get out and show their talents on stage and have a taste of playing at a huge venue," he said.
The first practice session at the school kicked off on Thursday with a strong performance of Morrison's own composition, No Regret, a ballad which will feature tenor saxophonist Paul Cornelius, who graduated from Cleveland last year.
Morrison and his big band then played the 1931 jazz classic All of Me, written by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons.
Both songs will be part of the band's Creative Generation performance and both prompted applause from Cleveland music teacher, conductor Shane Purnell.
Although Mr Purnell won't take to the stage with Morrison and the band, he has played alongside the jazz great on a number of occasions and has organised six Creative Generation concerts.
"It's been fantastic to have James here to teach the kids and really get everyone interested in what they are trying to achieve," Mr Purnell said.
"We hope James will continue his association with the school and will come back every now and then to perform and hold a concert with the kids.
"He's played a big part in throwing the spotlight on instrumentals because often dancers and singers are the ones recognised," he said.
The Creative Generation concert is at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21. The James Morrison Creative Generation Big Band will perform at 1pm and 7pm on both days.
