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By April Guilmet
November 23, 2006
From the moment their plane landed in Japan, jazz musicians and Andover teachers Jeff Buckridge and Garret Savluk should have known they'd be
treated well. Savluk observed a man waving flags on the runway, directing the plane as it taxied to the terminal.
"And when he was done, he bowed to the plane before walking away," Savluk said.
The two friends, both music teachers in Andover's public schools, were the ones doing the bowing the rest of the week, as they accepted applause while
on tour with their band following the release of albums on the Japanese record label P-Vine.
Buckridge and Garret Savluk co-direct both the Andover High School and middle school jazz bands. And they're both members of the Boston Horns, a
contemporary jazz/funk/rock band that's a part of the Boston club scene since it was founded in 1998. The Boston Horns embarked on its first Japanese
tour on Nov. 10.
"Garret had a contact at the Canadian embassy in Japan and he'd been told that our music might really be popular there. I didn't really think much would
come of it," said Buckridge, 36, who plays guitar in the band. "Next thing you know, they're flying us halfway around the world, putting us up in nice hotels
and taking us out for fancy dinners. We were in disbelief.". A music teacher at Doherty Middle School, the Woburn resident soon learned there is a strong
jazz following in Japan. Playing gigs in Japan's three major cities, the Boston Horns played at Tokyo's Club Quattro for more than 700 people and also
played shows in the Bluenotes clubs in both Osaka and Nagoya, usually to sold-out audiences.
Buckridge described the area in the Shibuyo section of Tokyo as being similar to New York's Greenwich Village. "t's very young, very hip," he noted.
A native of Windsor, Conn., Garret Savluk, 38, hasn't forgotten his own days as a music student. He played in his high school jazz band. Later the
promising trumpet player attended Boston's Berklee School of Music on a full scholarship.
"The competition was strong there. It gave me a chance to learn, to experience criticism," said Savluk, who now lives in Wilmington.
While playing for sold-out crowds in Japan's major cities, however, there was nary a critic.
"The crowd seemed to know us already. Some sang along and knew our songs by heart," Savluk said.
Although both men remain humble - "its not like we're celebrities or anything," Buckridge said - the experience has left them in awe at the culture and the
graciousness of the Japanese culture, both said.
"As a people, the Japanese are very professional, very respectful and they pay attention to detail. It's like, 'What can I do for you first?' " Savluk said.
As for the language barrier? Not really a problem, both agreed. "Most places had someone who spoke some English," Buckridge said. "Other times
we'd look for places with pictures on the menus and just point,'" he laughed.
Then there were the trips to the Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. "We're talking 1,000 year-old buildings," Buckridge said.
Though both said they feel a return trip is inevitable, they would be hesitant, at best, to spend a week away from their students. Their students, who range
from sixth-grade beginners to high school jazz prodigies headed for music careers themselves, both inspire and motivate them, they said.
"I'm fortunate to be both a teacher and a performing musician - and can take my experiences back to my students," Buckridge said.
Which is exactly what he intends to do. Right now he's putting together a slide show of Japanese sights to share with his students.
Savluk also plans to share his experiences with his students - if in a more spiritual manner.
"This week, I'm bringing back a renewed, invigorated soul," and with it a health dose of patience and understanding, Savluk said. "I think we can also
teach our students that hard work really does pay off - and if you stick to what you do, really great things can happen."
November 23, 2006
From the moment their plane landed in Japan, jazz musicians and Andover teachers Jeff Buckridge and Garret Savluk should have known they'd be
treated well. Savluk observed a man waving flags on the runway, directing the plane as it taxied to the terminal.
"And when he was done, he bowed to the plane before walking away," Savluk said.
The two friends, both music teachers in Andover's public schools, were the ones doing the bowing the rest of the week, as they accepted applause while
on tour with their band following the release of albums on the Japanese record label P-Vine.
Buckridge and Garret Savluk co-direct both the Andover High School and middle school jazz bands. And they're both members of the Boston Horns, a
contemporary jazz/funk/rock band that's a part of the Boston club scene since it was founded in 1998. The Boston Horns embarked on its first Japanese
tour on Nov. 10.
"Garret had a contact at the Canadian embassy in Japan and he'd been told that our music might really be popular there. I didn't really think much would
come of it," said Buckridge, 36, who plays guitar in the band. "Next thing you know, they're flying us halfway around the world, putting us up in nice hotels
and taking us out for fancy dinners. We were in disbelief.". A music teacher at Doherty Middle School, the Woburn resident soon learned there is a strong
jazz following in Japan. Playing gigs in Japan's three major cities, the Boston Horns played at Tokyo's Club Quattro for more than 700 people and also
played shows in the Bluenotes clubs in both Osaka and Nagoya, usually to sold-out audiences.
Buckridge described the area in the Shibuyo section of Tokyo as being similar to New York's Greenwich Village. "t's very young, very hip," he noted.
A native of Windsor, Conn., Garret Savluk, 38, hasn't forgotten his own days as a music student. He played in his high school jazz band. Later the
promising trumpet player attended Boston's Berklee School of Music on a full scholarship.
"The competition was strong there. It gave me a chance to learn, to experience criticism," said Savluk, who now lives in Wilmington.
While playing for sold-out crowds in Japan's major cities, however, there was nary a critic.
"The crowd seemed to know us already. Some sang along and knew our songs by heart," Savluk said.
Although both men remain humble - "its not like we're celebrities or anything," Buckridge said - the experience has left them in awe at the culture and the
graciousness of the Japanese culture, both said.
"As a people, the Japanese are very professional, very respectful and they pay attention to detail. It's like, 'What can I do for you first?' " Savluk said.
As for the language barrier? Not really a problem, both agreed. "Most places had someone who spoke some English," Buckridge said. "Other times
we'd look for places with pictures on the menus and just point,'" he laughed.
Then there were the trips to the Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. "We're talking 1,000 year-old buildings," Buckridge said.
Though both said they feel a return trip is inevitable, they would be hesitant, at best, to spend a week away from their students. Their students, who range
from sixth-grade beginners to high school jazz prodigies headed for music careers themselves, both inspire and motivate them, they said.
"I'm fortunate to be both a teacher and a performing musician - and can take my experiences back to my students," Buckridge said.
Which is exactly what he intends to do. Right now he's putting together a slide show of Japanese sights to share with his students.
Savluk also plans to share his experiences with his students - if in a more spiritual manner.
"This week, I'm bringing back a renewed, invigorated soul," and with it a health dose of patience and understanding, Savluk said. "I think we can also
teach our students that hard work really does pay off - and if you stick to what you do, really great things can happen."
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