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on a family vacation at Virginia Beach.
“There were groups of bands on each street corner performing,” Alex recalled. “We kept walking by (Dave’s group) and when they took a break, Dave asked me if I was a musician.”
Alex said that he was and Mr. Adams asked if he had his instrument with him.
“Alex never travels anyplace without his saxophone,” said his mother. “In fact, we’re usually hauling both his soprano and alto with us wherever we go.”
Later that evening, Alex impressed Mr. Adams with renditions of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Rolling Down the River.” Mr. Adams gave Alex some of the Young Razzcals’ rehearsal music — jazz standards by Charlie Parker, Thelonus Monk and other greats.
Today, Alex is the second youngest member of the group. He and his family drive the four hours to Virginia Beach for Young Razzcals’ 90-minute rehearsals about every six weeks.
The band is presently rehearsing for a concert during a Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) meeting slated for the third week in February at Virginia Beach’s Green Run Middle School.
Alex’s father, Tom Shafran, said the chance meeting with Mr. Adams has made all the difference.
“Dave is really superb. Without him, none of this would have happened,” he said. “I think Kim and I want to expose Alex to whatever he enjoys and you know, not push him, but give him the opportunities. If he takes it and runs with it, that’s up to him, whether it’s soccer or music.”
Mr. Adams, who formerly commanded the U.S. Army Band in
See JAZZ, Page B2
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