Giant Steps
I’ve just returned home from a joyous event at the Hylton Center (come to think of it, I could start almost any of these columns with that sentence). We celebrated the unveiling and ribbon-cutting of the “Take a Giant Step” donor recognition wall in the Education and Rehearsal Wing. The wall is an artistic evocation of the keys of a giant saxophone, with names of supporters of the Wing project on many of the keys, both brass and mother of pearl (or reasonable facsimiles thereof). It is a work of art in its own right, but more importantly it represents the spirit of this community that helped build these beautiful spaces for teaching, learning, creating, gathering, and celebrating—spaces that truly complete the original vision for the Hylton Center.
So why a saxophone, and why is “Take a Giant Step” the name on the wall? We are honoring John Coltrane, one of the jazz world’s greatest sax players, and his signature composition “Giant Steps,” that has been called a “rite of passage” for jazz musicians everywhere. Coltrane had a conception of music as a force for good in the world—and we see the Hylton Center, with the important addition of the Education and Rehearsal Wing, as one place where that conception has taken root and flourishes every day. We wanted to honor the folks who stepped up to support that effort in a unique way, and judging from the expressions on the faces of those who attended tonight, I think we’ve done it.
The evening was made even more magical by the presence, saxophone in hand, of Jim Carroll, the founder and artistic director of our Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. He spoke to us of Coltrane’s musical philosophy, and then he played some licks from “Giant Steps” to the astonishment of all.
Oh by the way—come see Met Jazz at the Hylton on October 5 and catch a full evening’s worth of magic, with some great guest artists as well as Jim leading the region’s hottest big band. And the next time you’re in the Education and Rehearsal Wing, take a moment to walk down the hall and see what a community working together can do—we can truly take a giant step. (P.S., there are some empty keys still left, one of which would look great with your name on it!).
See you soon,
Rick Davis
Dean and Executive Director