Event: 4 Ever In Our Hearts: A Tribute To Jia Kennie Blackwell
Date/Time: Saturday Dec. 11th, 2004 8:15pm-11:15pm EST
Venue: Berklee Performance Center in Boston, Massachusetts

John Blackwell told me earlier this week that the Jia Kennie Blackwell Scholarship Concert would be a shooting star moment. You would have to be in the house to catch it. He wasn't lying. I just witnessed one of the musical highlight moments of my life. Some of the top musical talents, including a Hall of Fame crew of drummers, came together to perform in memory of John's daughter,Jia and to raise money for a female musician scholarship at prestigious Berklee College of Music.

Gi Dussault, co-host of the "Upper Room" radio show, and I drove up from Connecticut and enjoyed a few hours walking through a misty Boston evening. We parked at the Prudential Center and walked through the mall to get the main street. Boston is a college town and you can feel the artistic and youthful feel near the Berklee campus. Overall, Boston is a friendly city compared to most. One sad aspect was the amount of people begging for money on just about every street corner. Tugs at your heartstrings.

On to the Berklee Performance Center...We arrived in line at 7pm and waited about 45 minuted to be let in the venue. While in line, I heard a Berklee student say that the balcony was the best place to see and hear a show. So, that is where we sat and were not disappointed at this genereal admission show. Great sightlines and the sound was excellent. The venue has an older feel to it. Great acoustics for a concert but the seats were right on top of each other with little leg room. But as Gi said, the concert was so incredible you forgot about your legs going numb.

John Blackwell Sr, was seen in the balcony surveying the stage downstairs. You could sense that this was going to be a special night. Just before the concert, we said hello to Boston music celebs Thaddeus Hogarth and members of Michigan Blacksnake. The house lights dimmed...

Musical director Jetro Da Silva began playing a moving piano piece, "Prelude for Jia" as a photo slide montage of Jia was displayed on a backdrop onstage. As the slideshow continued, Kamaria Ousley sang beautifully on the song "A Place In My Heart". The photo montage showed the life and beauty of Jia Blackwell. You could see the tremendous bond and love between Jia and her parents Joann and John Blackwell. Some touching pictures were of John returning to the stage in New Orleans with Prince and the NPG.

Next up, drummer and jazz music educator, Dom Famularo performed an impressive solo. After finishing, Dom, emcee for the night, began to address the sold-out crowd about the upcoming concert and the meaning of the scholarship. He welcomed John Blackwell to the mic who was holding his son Jaiven. John said he didn't prepare a speech and was going to speak from the heart. John spoke of he and his wife's love for Jia, the tough struggles since her journey to God, and his sincere thanks to the audience, his fellow musicians, Berklee and family. Funny moments included Javien taking the mic a few times and saying a few words. There is another Blackwell star in the future. )

One thing which impressed me and was very cool to see was the reaction of the Berklee crowd to the musicians. Many students and professors were in attendance and they applauded and oohed and aahed at some of the finer points of the musicianship onstage that you normally wouldn't see at a general concert. It was a music lesson for me as well.

So many highlights to mention but here are a few: sixteen year-old female drummer Aisha (name maybe incorrect) who tore up the drumset and was dressed stylishly. She is a standout at the Saturday Berklee jam sessions. Trombonist Greg Boyer of P-Funk, Prince and the NPG, and Maceo Parker fame who played some amazing solos during Maceo Parker's "Uptown Up" . During this song, Mike Scott of Prince and the NPG, matched him with some great guitar playing. Funky!!!!!.

A surprise performer was Mike Mangini who just flew in from Japan. He shined with a double foot pedal drum display. Terri Lyne Carrington and Kim Thompson amazed us with a drum duo set. Great to see female musicians go to town like this. Drummer Marcus Williams who used to give John Blackwell drum lessons played an amazing set. He later supported his mom, Candi Staton, on a tender song, "It's Gonna Be Alright".

Dom Famularo kept the audience laughing with anecdotes such as John Blackwell attending a drum clinic in South Carolina that Dom was giving. John was only 14 years old and he was with his dad. John told Dom that he really loved to play drums and Dom encouraged John to keep pursuing his musical craft. The next night at a drum clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, John Blackwell was there to the amazement of Dom who told John that he was going to be giving the next clinic in Germany and was wondering if John was going to fly there. Lots of laughs.

Wallace Roney played throughout the night on several tunes. His trumpet is funky and angelic at the same time.

Up next, the phenomenal Dennis Chambers . Chambers was the godfather of Jia. His drum solo was pure goosebump moments and when he finished and jumped off the backstage, you knew that he knew that he nailed it. Another legendary drummer Vinnie Colauita took up seat at the drumset and played an amazing fusion of sounds. From the pre-show conversations with Berklee students, they were really looking forward to seeing Colaiuta and I am sure they were not disappointed.

The finale of the show began with John Blackwell performing "Butterfly". John was dressed with his trademark black hat that had a butterfly on it. Blackwell was playing a custom-designed drumset that was designed with pictured of Jia, doves and other imaged on it. He tapped the cymbal several times with his hands as if to touch his daughter Jia. Very moving. John's playing was incredible and showcased his jazz, latin, and funk flavors. The drumstick twirls wowed the audience as did his quieter, intricate touches.

At the end, all the drummers came back onstage for a ultimate drummer sendoff. Each one took their turn to solo. After finishing the jam, the musicians hugged and John Blackwell stepped to the microphone. He thanked his wife Joann, his family, Berklee, Sabian drum supplies, the fans, Prince, the NPG, all the great musicians, and God and the Bible. And a big thank you to his daughter Jia who allowed this night to happen and female musicians will now have the opportunity to receive a scholarship at Berklee to reach their musical goals.

Donations were accepted in the lobby and Berklee was going to match all donations. Sabian also donated $ 5,000. For more info on the scholarhsip, please go to www.johnblackwell.net.

Thanks to Jia, Joann, John, Javien and all who participated in this great night. Hopefully, it will be an annual concert and we will continue to show our support on the radio side for you.
[Edited 12/12/04 8:42am]
[Edited 12/12/04 11:20am]

Continually praying for him and his family.

Wow! Thanks so much for that detailed review/report!! I'm looking forward to seeing who will be the lucky recipient of the first scholarship.

The only other things I would add to his EXCELLENT review are the following:

Prior to the concert, John Blackwell and his wife and little son walked down the aisle on the first floor and spoke to everyone who approached him. Mr. Blackwell gave his autograph and signed programs for everyone who came to him, only stopping when the show's director told him that they were waiting for him to start the show. A few people even got their pictures taken with him, which was done discretely, since recording and photographic devices were not supposed to be available. John Blackwell was very, very gracious.

The other thing that was very cute was Mr. Blackwell's son, whose precociousness nearly stole the show before it even began. As the show began with a piano and song tribute to Jia, the little boy kept yelling, "Daddy!" every time Mr. Blackwell appeared in a photo with his daughter. Then when Mr. Blackwell took the stage to formerly start the show and thank the crowd for coming, his son interjected intermittently some incoherent words, grabbing the microphone with confidence. You could tell that he was born for the stage. It was truly funny and endearing, as he clung to his father.

As a person who is not a musician, I was blown away by the musicanship that evening. "Dr." Dennis Chambers was my personal favorite, and there was not a down note in the bunch. I was truly impressed with the drummer Mike Mangini. He was keeping a beat with his feet, while playing two totally separate rhythms with each stick. I was just amazed because I can't clap and tap my foot simultaneously. [b]ALL the musicians were truly amazing[/b]. And the finale where all the drummers present that night did a solo during the song "Spain" was just out of this world!

Considering that the ticket only cost $10, I felt like I had won the lottery, since that kind of concert could have easily been worth five times as much. So, I donated some more money to the scholarship fund.
[Edited 12/12/04 12:08pm]
[Edited 12/12/04 12:10pm]

Truly an amazing evening - Just as John was clearly moved by the whole event
the whole audience felt his pain and loss with him as he struggled
to find words he to express his feelings, a night noone present will forget
anytime soon. The review (thanks) sums up the evening splendidly it was a night
of true musicians who love their craft and one another. My highlights - Footprints - Pass the peas !!!FUNKAY!!! - Candy Statton - whoooaaaaa she can still do it and of course that man John Blackwell - he ripped it up - and then some!!!!

I'm sure i saw Larry's white bass parked on the stage throughout the show (or was that just me hoping??)

I have the program - which i can scan if anyone wants to see the comments from John and his wife

I was very moved and impressed with the whole evening. It was like going to church with a bunch of really talented drummers..

I had never really heard John talk before last night. John seemed like a truly nice guy with a heart of gold. It must say something for Prince giving John the chance of a lifetime. It couldn't have happened to a nicer more talented man. It was a bit sad at times last night, but the positive vibes in the room last night really made me feel glad to be alive.

All the best to John and his family, and thank you Prince for introducing such an unbelievable talent to the world.
[Edited 12/12/04 19:30pm]

Sounds like it was a fantastic night. I have actually wished that "Dr. Chambers"
would show up on drums or Prince one day. It was great that so many i fine musicians came out to support Johns' cause.

Yeah I'll say it too. That show was just... amazing.
More than the music you could feel the love.
I have NO money to donate but I did anyhow. They are doing a phenominal thing.
I'm glad Jia will be remembered in this way.

HaHa and Candy Stanton was a trip.

AND the emcee. "Can you feel the talent" "Now, Mike Mangini YES!"
All nite long.

peace

Joe, you summed it up beautifully. It truly was a magnificent show. So much amazing talent.

John Blackwell and Greg Boyer and Mike Scott got a chance to stretch out and remind those who didn't already know that they're members of the NPG for one reason and one reason only -- them boys can play.

The only disappointing part, though, was when Kim Thompson kept ignoring my telepathic marriage proposals during her solos.

Forget all the beautiful music we heard. Talk about a reason to be grateful for the gift of eyesight! Grrrrrf!

The show was amazing. The Mistress was glad she wore waterproof mascara when John got up to speak.

CJBabyDaddy said:

I kept expecting her to pop out of that green top!

FunkMistress said:

seriously. she's a fierce drummer, but her looks were... distracting.

FunkMistress said:

Oh you big softy you! LOL! I cried...I knew I would!
DMSR...I looked around for people I knew but didn't see you...wish I had.
yeah I felt the same way about hearing John speak...I had never heard him speak so much before...his vioce was gentle and wonderful. God bless them! it was a moving night and I'm SO glad I was able to take part in such a wonderful event.
Nice to meet you FunkMistress

TheAStarr said:

That's absolutely the right word.

Dear Devil:

If you're out there, this is me, CJBabyDaddy. Just so you know, I'll sign any deal that would let me be distracted by Kim Thompson for the rest of my life. Orgnote me, Satan. I'll be waiting. Thanks.

Shorty said:

It was so good to finally meet you, Shorty! You are absolutely stunning in person; your pictures do you no justice.

www.kimthompsondrummer.com
Great drummer.

FunkMistress said:

Oh my! (even with flat frizzy fog hair?) Thank you! I can easily say the same for you!

Until the end of this year, all donations made online to the Jia Blackwell Memorial Scholarship Fund will be matched by Berklee College on a 1-to-1 basis.

For example, if you make a $50 donation, Berklee will shift an additional $50 to the fund, for a total of $100. You get to enjoy a $50 tax deduction -- and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that the fund will increase by $100!

For more information about the fund and how you can contribute via a secure online channel (for VISA or MasterCard donations), go to -- http://www.berklee.edu/gi...fault.html

It was awesome. Thanks to THEASTARR for taking me there. We had a great time

Most bump-worthy.

I wish I could have met more Orgers; it seems like we represented bigger than I thought. I was kind of looking around, seeing if I could recognize anyone, but I haven't seen pictures of most of you. Shorty was the only one who recognized me.

Anyway, it was an amazing experience that still holds a warm place in my heart a week later.

FunkMistress said:

Were you sitting in the last row of the front section, on the left, facing the stage?

OneMoJam said:

Yes, I was. In a green shirt. Where were you??

FunkMistress said:

First of the non-VIP rows, toward the right. I thought I recognized you (from the picture) right before the show started and was going to track you down at the end, but lost you in the crowd as everybody headed out. Oh, well. And I had a strong rap all rehearsed and everything.

It was a great show. I'm glad to have had the experience.

Joe deserves a bump.

Joe deserves another bump.

Don't we all deserve a little bump?

Here's one just for you, sweetums.

OneMoJam said:

For me?

FunkMistress said:

Absolutely, sugar dumplin'.