Hey, Mr. Rodgers; Can I Have A Solo?

     Hey, Mr. Rodgers; can I have a solo? I suppose you could interpret that many different ways, but as a teenager playing in Detroit`s Northwestern High School stage band, it meant I was improving as a saxophonist. No, I can`t say I was the best saxophonist, even at Northwestern H.S., but we had a teacher who cared about us to bring us in the direction of our best.

     I remember being a student who auditioned to play clarinet in the band. I passed the audition, and I was going to Northwestern H.S. to play clarinet. Mr. Rodgers did not come to Drew Jr. High School to audition me; that was Mr. Fane.

     I came to Northwestern H.S. in the summer of 1976, as part of a summer youth program. I played clarinet in that summer program, but wanted to play tenor saxophone. Cornilius (Corn) was playing tenor sax, but graduated in 1976, so he would not be coming back in the fall. I guess Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Fane were discussing the fall outlook for band, and they would not have anyone to play tenor saxophone. Overhearing this, I stepped up and said I play tenor saxophone. Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Fane said to bring my tenor sax the next day, so I did.

     The next day I was sitting in the saxophone section. "Corn" played his tenor sax so strong, forceful, and confidently, well, I did not know the tenor sax could be played with such power. All I could do was play my saxophone hiding behind "Corn". On  the marching field it did not get better. I could hear "Corn" belt-out the tenor saxophone parts. When the band came to a rest in the action, Mr. Fane called me over, and said I would be playing clarinet for now on, so I walked back to formation. Just as I was getting into formation, Mr. Rodgers call me over again, and asked if I would be attending Northwestern H.S. in the fall, and I answered yes, then he replied, stay on tenor saxophone.

     As summer went-on I would continue to make a fool of myself, but completely unaware. A group of students were playing Grover Washington`s "Mr. Magic", and I joined-in. Without any concept of improvisation I soloed. Everyone laughed, but at that time I did not realize my naivete. Andre called-out "Go Super Sax", and that was my nick name in high school.

     Mr. Rodgers helped me turn that name "Super Sax" from being a name of dishonor and disrespect, to the name it was meant to be. Mine is just one of many stories of those helped, influenced, mentored, and taught by Ernest Rodgers. No, he was not like a father; I had my dad who fulfilled that need, but he was that teacher who went the extra mile, and you knew he was going that extra mile because he cared. Not only was Mr. Rodgers my band director, but also my private saxophone teacher. I learned a great deal from Mr. Rodgers. What did I learn from Mr. Rodgers? Of course I learned the finer points of playing saxophone and music, but I also learned perseverance, patience, and fighting for yourself and others when you are right.

     In 2009, Mr. Rodgers received the Wayne County Council of the Arts, History, and Humanities Arts Education Award, which was one of many awards just to say thanks. Thank you, Mr. Rodgers, for your work, and unwavering commitment to your students. Rest in peace, Mr. Rodgers, you will be greatly missed. Hey, Mr. Rodgers; can I have a solo?