Rich Falco, Jazz Guitarist, Jim Allard's Band

I saw a wonderful concert recently at the Joy of Music Program (Rich and Wendy Ardizzone's really cool music school) by Jim Allard's band. He's putting together a CD and featured a number of originals that will be featured. Not only were the tunes and arrangements good, but Jim and Rich were in fine form, and the incomparable Mike Connors demonstrated once again that there is no more musical or tasteful drummer on the planet.

I'd originally thought Joe D'Angelo would be playing bass, and wanted to hear him, but they had a sub (embarrassed to say I've forgotten his name) from Boston who teaches in Maine (there's a commute for you) who tore it up with bow and fingers. I wanted to steal his rosin so just a little of his playing would rub off on me, but instead went home and practiced!

Keep an eye out at www.jomp.org for upcoming faculty concerts in the fall.

The Telegram and Education

I think I've finally figured out the Worcester Telegram and Gazette's editorial stance on public education: Any policy that Worcester taxpayers don't have to fund is good. Any policy that costs Worcester taxpayers more is bad.

Pilot schools with money from the state? Good.
Compensating teachers with expensive health care benefits? Bad.
Increased state aid to reduce the number of high school dropouts? Good.

And so on. The next time you see an op-ed on local public education in the Telegram, apply the simple test above, and see how it works.