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Kulik “swings” into jazz band rehearsal

Huntington- He was class president all four years.  Voted both Class Einstein and Class Instrumentalist by his peers. As a senior, he won Gateway’s most prestigious award—the Golden Achievement Award.  Four-year member of the Concert Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band and Western Massachusetts District Jazz Band. Made All State Jazz Band his junior and senior years.

And he said he came in to lead a workshop of the current jazz students at Gateway High School to give something back to the school that had given so much to him.

Sam Kulik, graduate from Gateway’s Class of 2000, was in the area and contacted Band Director Kevin McAvoy to schedule a clinic with the jazz band, which was held on September 21st.

His first lesson was in “sound painting”.  Kulik taught a series of hand signals to the 14 members of the elite ensemble, which cued them on which instruments were to play and the kind of sound he was looking for—long, held notes; short, quick notes; high pitches; low pitches. With drums, piano and bass setting a swing rhythm, he then cued each section to creatively “paint” a combined sound, with extraordinary results.

Kulik calls for the trumpet section to add to the “sound painting”.

His second lesson was on extended sound techniques, as he encouraged each member of the band to solo by making a sound their instrument had never made before.  One played just her mouthpiece, another used the bell of the horn as percussion.  And some just dug deep and delivered.

“Improvisation takes a lot of courage,” acknowledged Kulik.  “It’s a lot easier to take a leap if you’re not afraid of making a funny sound.”

“It was AWESOME,” enthused junior Samantha Wheeler.  “I learned that jazz is not just blues: you can be wicked creative with it.  I didn’t want to leave.”

Kulik was one of five graduates in 2000 to go onto college as a music major.  He graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio after majoring in jazz trombone.  He currently lives in New York City and performs professionally with several jazz and rock bands.

Kulik was home for rehearsals for the upcoming production of “Delicious Rivers” at Smith College, which will be performed on October 27, 28, 29 and November 1 – 4.

Guest Jazz Band instructor, Sam Kulik, at Gateway on 9/21.