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[article copyrighted by and originally published in the Tacoma News Tribune, December 5, 2001] Federal Way grade-school students get the blues Education: James 'Curley' Cooke, other blues veterans teach youngsters to play By Bill Hutchens The dark blue bass guitar hanging from her neck is twice as big as she is. But somehow 9-year-old Azniv Aslanyan musters the cool poise of a seasoned rock-'n'-roller. "I can handle it," she says with a big smile. And she can. Of course, the simple bass line to the rhythm and blues standard "Bo Diddley" is just one note over and over, but keeping time is everything when you're new to music. Aslanyan and about 40 other students at Mark Twain Elementary School are learning about blues history and how to play a few simple songs in a joint after-school project sponsored by the Federal Way School District and Pacific Northwest Blues in the Schools. One of the kids' instructors is a rock and blues veteran. Guitarist James "Curley" Cooke was a founding member of the Steve Miller Band and has performed and recorded with the late Jerry Garcia and Chuck Berry. Cooke leads three sessions per day at Mark Twain, teaching students about the origins of the blues and practicing a song or two before they break into smaller groups for time with veteran blues musicians, including bassist Al Rowe, percussionist Rick Spano or harmonica guy Jay Mabin. "What are the blues?" Cooke asked during a session last week. "Sadness," one boy replied. "Funny songs," a girl said. "Good music," another girl said. "It's hard to nail down the blues," Cooke told the group. "It's different things to different people, and it takes different forms in different countries." Cooke explained that blues music in America has its roots in Africa and launched into a guitar riff and some "scat" singing (vocalization without words) to demonstrate. The students have rewritten the words to "Bo Diddley" and other songs to more accurately describe the blues as they pertain to Mark Twain Elementary School. They sing - or shout, rather - a favorite refrain with Cooke, from Chuck Berry's "School Days": "Ring ring goes the bell! "The cook in the lunchroom's ready to sell! "You're lucky if you can find a seat! "You're fortunate if you have time to eat!" Then it's off to smaller group sessions with the other musicians to practice parts on bass, drums, harmonica and lead guitar for a Dec. 13 concert. "The kids are just great," Cooke said. "They're open to learning about the music, and they know a lot more about it than you might think." Cindy Chaput, director of the district's Successful Kids after-school program that takes place at three of Federal Way's lower-income area schools, said she's glad to have Cooke and crew aboard. "They really make it fun for the kids," she said. "We're looking forward to continuing the program." Because of a $1.4 million federal Department of Education grant, more than 600 Federal Way children are able to participate in the Successful Kids program, which includes tutoring in math and reading as well as several electives, including music appreciation, physical education and art. Cooke will finish out an 11-week session with Mark Twain students before winter break. He'll start up again in January at Wildwood Elementary School and then move to Sunnycrest Elementary School in March. "It's really been a great experience," he said. "Come to the concert. You won't believe how much soul these kids have."
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