PHOTO BY GREG CZNADEL

Wednesday, February 26, 2025; Vocal and musical production in celebration of Black History Month, Benjamin Franklin School, 1905 Spring Road: Seventh grade student Jeanette sings Hit the Road Jack.

by Greg Cznadel

     (Plain Press April 2025) I had a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Black History Month on February 26^th.

     Dot Martin, programmer at WRUW-FM 91, received a request from Scott Franklin, “an incredible teacher, friend, and musician” at Benjamin Franklin School in Old Brooklyn, to invite friends to a vocal and musical production by the 6^th and 7^th graders in celebration of Black History Month.

     Scott said he was not “sure there would be much of an audience. It would be amazing if anyone who had the time would come support these kids.”

     Dot replied to us, “You won’t be disappointed, and it will make some kids feel good.”

     I arrived outside the front door, the second in line, waiting for the school to empty out. The line was short. Behind me were two friends, Judy, and Dottie, also invited by Dot. As we stood, waiting for afternoon dismissal to be completed, three more invitees of Dot’s, all local musicians arrived. We were each there to enjoy and support the young musicians. We sat at our self-designated Old Brooklyn table.

     The band performed first.  The first piece was “Little Sunflower” written by Al Jarreau and made famous by the jazz trumpet player, Freddie Hubbard. It was followed by “Moanin’” a composition by jazz pianist Bobby Timmons, that was originally recorded by Art Blakey’s band and the Jazz Messengers. It was exciting to hear students taking turns playing their own improvisations as well as playing together as an ensemble. You could hear the careful instruction they had received from their teacher as well as being blessed with the support of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra who have been sending a musician to Benjamin Franklin School weekly for the last six years to help music students with their lessons. 

     Then came the highlight of the afternoon, a 13-year-old 7^th grader, Jeanette. She sang “Hit the Road Jack”, written by Percy Mayfield and made famous by Ray Charles. We all sat in awe. Such presence. Such a voice. I talked to her mom afterwards and could tell how proud she was.

     The vocalists came on stage next. Scott explained that these kids would meet after school to sing and practice songs purely for the joy of making music. Their love of singing and learning these songs together came through in their outstanding and enthusiastic performance! Their performance included a drum circle with an exciting layering of rhythms to accompany their strong, confident singing.

     Among others were a song written shortly after the Civil War, “Guide My Feet”, and “Funga Alafia”, a West African greeting song. Some of the countries in West Africa are Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria.

     It was as though the final song was written for these young musicians. No concert would be complete without a piece by Whitney Houston, “One Moment in Time”, which she wrote and sang. It became the official song of the 1988 Summer Olympics.  The chorus is this:

Give me one moment in time
When I’m more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me

     This was one of the moments in time for these students.