Musicians introduce local youths to instruments of Near East
Tom Chess, a New York world musician, demonstrates the oud, a stringed instrument from the Near East that resembles a lute for Benjamin Logan High School jazz band members during a Thursday afternoon class. Chess was joined for a three-day workshop at the schools by Will McEvoy, a bassist and percussionist based out of Ann Arbor, Mich. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | REUBEN MEES)
At the start of this week, most Benjamin Logan music students had no idea what an oud, a ney or a morsing were.
By Friday, however, they not only recognized the exotic musical instruments, but had a chance to experience their rich sounds during a week of classroom instruction.
Tom Chess, a New York musician who specializes in global music styles, and Will McEvoy, an Ann Arbor, Mich., musician, came to the school district to offer three days of lessons through a grant obtained by LoCo Arts.
“I’m teaching a contemporary American jazz take on world music, particularly the influences of the Near East and North Africa,” Chess said before explaining the instruments he uses.
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