Many flocked to the Performing Arts Center recently to be serenaded by the sounds produced by Joey Gulizia, presented by the Alliance Arts Council, as he performed songs with a tropical twist.
Gulizia served as the artist in residence for the Alliance Arts Council, spending the week with the district’s fourth graders and passing on his knowledge and passion for music.
“It was great, we had a wonderful time,” said Gulizia. “I worked over at Grandview, St. Agnes and Immanuel, I had an assembly at each of those schools to start things off. Then I had a target group of fourth graders. I did a couple of sessions, and we covered the roots of jazz music, and I also did a project where we worked on the 12-bar blues. The kids did a wonderful job, and we’re going to get a chance to perform those things tonight.”
Joining Gulizia on stage were groups of the fourth grade students he worked with throughout the week. Gulizia directed them in playing a variety of instruments from around the world, giving a spin on well-known songs.
“I think it was definitely positive, because I had a lot of things they’ve never seen before,” Gulizia said. “So, it’s a lot of new stuff and it’s good to get their attention and to have something new and fresh like that to show them. We had a few exercises where we talked about science, sound and vibrations. We talked about geography with instruments from Caribbean and Africa and from Brazil and America’s own jazz music, and how there’s a connection between the African instruments and rhythms were part of the early days of jazz.”
Gulizia said he gained a passion for music at a young age by watching his father, who was also a musician, perform. He explained that by the time he was 10 years old, he was playing the drums in his father’s band three nights a week.
“I thought, ‘You can make money doing this? I think this might be a good job,’” Gulizia said. “So, lucky me, I’ve been able to pursue a career in music my whole life, and it’s been fantastic.”
Gulizia has performed in all 50 states, as well as on 38 cruise ships, taking him to locations around the world. He also toured with Mannheim Steamroller for several years.
Gulizia had his first artist residency in Scottsbluff and Gering, working with students there. Since then, he has served as an artist in residence, averaging 10 schools per year. He believes the education portion of his career has been the most rewarding.
“Back in that first residency in Scottsbluff/Gering, there was a young fifth grader at that time, who fell in love with the drums,” said Gulizia. “I stayed in touch with him and he now lives in New York and has played on Broadway. Those are the rewards when you say, ‘Wow, I planted a seed way back then, and it really did grow into something.’”
Gulizia offered advice for the next generation of artists and performers.
“Practice, that’s always an important element,” Gulizia said. “And try to always find opportunities to play. It’s not as easy as it was when I was growing up. I think that things have gotten a little bit harder.”
