9EntErtainmEntmay 2, 2011

Iliad

Every musician loses their edge at some point, but no one was expecting thirty-nine year old rapper and record producer Cordozar Calvin Broadus, a.k.a. Snoop Dogg, to change his persona so suddenly. It seems that the good old doggy-style is going out of style.

It is not as though the foul language, drug abuse, topics of music and overall attitude that Snoop Dogg has presented over the span of his eighteen-year career is right, but at this point, it is what the society expects of him and is accustomed to.

As seen by the sudden transformation of Miley Cyrus from super-star role model to promiscuous Lady Gaga-wanna-be, the public hates a change in personalities in the world of fame. While Cyrus and many others went from good to bad, Snoop Dog seems to be attempting to play the good guy role after years of being the exact opposite.

Snoop Dogg appeared at Nickelodeon’s 2011 Kids’ Choice Awards as a musical guest. Shock ensued beyond the mere surprise of the “sliming” of Snoop Dogg that took place on the show.

Instead, everyone was confused and startled at the frightening sight of Snoop Dogg singing along side with Nickelodeon boy band Big Time Rush. D-O-Double-G and BTR just do not go together comfortably.

If Snoop Dogg’s goal is to become more kid friendly, it would have been a much smoother flowing transformation had he not just jumped right into it.

It also could not be a good thing that someone whose persona used to be negative and corrupt is attempting to stand as a good influence on children.

In a world where role models in the media are hard to find, Snoop Dogg’s sudden attempt to change his following will be unsuccessful.

He will never be able to wash away his past, no matter how many songs he sings along side with amateur boy bands.

LONDON DETRICKPhoto Editor

Snoop Dogg: not a role model

PadoONMusic

Justin Yee has found his inspiration and passion in jazz music.

As he completes his sixth year of playing in jazz band, Yee finds that the potential for musical expansion and education is endless.

Through his continuous desire for self-improvement, the soon-to-be graduate has involved himself in as many programs as seemingly possible.

In addition to daily jazz rehearsals before school, Yee started his own quartet, the Saxy Men and recently completed his senior project, the Poway High Jazz Festival.

Because of his passion for big band and jazz, Yee was excited to bring back a classic Poway tradition that has been missed for the past five years.

“It was a pretty renowned

Music in their bloodBrothers Bryan and Justin Yee have been recognized for their commitment to school, their athletic ability and above all else, their musical prowess.

JUSTIN

CHASE PADOCopy Editor

festival back in the day, and I really wanted to reinstate it,” Yee said.

Complete with ten middle and high school jazz bands, including Poway High, as well as the presence of three esteemed judges to critique the groups, the festival ran throughout the evening of April 18.

To close, awards were given to outstanding soloists and the award-winning San Diego State jazz band performed.

“The jazz festival was very well executed and clearly took an immense amount of dedication,” Ben Levinson, bassist and participant in the festival, said.

As a committed musician, Yee hopes to expand the love of music, especially jazz, throughout the community.

“I wanted people to come and share my passion for music. I wanted to share what I’ve gained from the music program with my community,” Yee said.

Many high schoolers have trouble balancing school, work, friends and extra-curriculars. Many buckle under the pressure. There are some students, however, who give hope to those who feel overwhelmed. There are some who are able to maintain a great GPA while still making time for other things.

Case in point: Bryan Yee.Yee, a senior, has a lot on his plate. The main focus,

however, is the music. Yee has been playing trumpet in school band since

fifth grade. He is the trumpet section leader for the Emerald

Brigade and is a member of Poway’s Symphony Orchestra.

Yee says his biggest inspiration for choosing trumpet was pure taste.

“I chose trumpet because it had the coolest sound,” Yee said. “I love the way it’s used in high-action movies like Star Wars and Indiana Jones.”

Yee, who is also a varsity cross-country runner, says it is a challenge to balance taking on a lot of activities.

“The marching band Championships were in Corona on the same day as Palomar League Championship Finals

for cross-country. I ran at League, then immediately got in the car for the two-hour drive to Corona. The band was warming up for the preliminary performance when I arrived,” Yee said.

Not only is Yee able to balance participating in so many events, but his musical skills are incredibly advanced. Yee is a member of the prestigious Poway High Wind Symphony, which he joined in his sophomore year. All of Bryan Yee’s band mates speak highly of his musical prowess.

“He has a lot of dexterity,” senior Weston Buehlmaier said, “He’s very tenacious.”

Yee plans to attend either USC or UCLA in the fall. Although he does not plan to study music in college, he will continue to play.

“I want to study civil engineering or work with computers,” Yee said, “I know a lot of engineering majors are also in marching band, so luckily, I’ll be able to do that too.”

He might not be planning to formally pursue music, but Yee will continue to be an excellent musician.

“He’s a great player; he knows how the music works,” senior Jacob Boulais said, “He used to make a lot of the upperclassmen very angry.”

When it comes to the music, “he’s a perfectionist,” senior David Martinez said.

DANIEL PASENELLI Entertainment Editor

In the last two weeks, the sad rumors of Nordstrom stores and their cutbacks have been devastating.

Fortunately, the fate of the stores will be dissimilar to those of other corporations, such as Borders and Mervyn’s, who were wiped out completely.

But one essence of Nordstrom that will not survive is also perhaps its most appealing – the live music.

For years, Nordstrom has established a reputation of high-end merchandise and classiness. The atmosphere, along with the high prices, helps the store set itself apart as unique and desirable. However, many Nordstrom stores in Southern California have begun to fire their piano players.

Although many aloof shoppers will not even notice the lack of piano music, others are outraged by the change.

Blog sites have quickly filled up with complaints and threats of boycotting such drastic measures.And these responses are righteously justified.

One piano player reported working at Nordstrom for over 15 years, making 15 dollars an hour and being fired without any notice whatsoever.

If Nordstrom does not have these well-dressed musicians to entertain and please their guests, why is it any better than an average Macy’s? The fact is the music of Nordstrom had a huge impact on the comfortable environment.

In this tough economy, music and entertainment often suffer the most. We often assume that music will naturally persist, but the lack of a market is hindering the opportunities for musicians.

If piano music can be so easily replaced in Nordstrom, where else might we eradicate this culture?

Nordstrom has decided to

modernize their stores by blasting Bruno Mars and Usher instead of employing talented performers of Beethoven.

I think it is devastating to think that pop music has become widely accepted as an improvement to beautiful classical tunes.

Hopefully, Nordstrom will see this decision as an incredible mistake. Additionally, I hope that consumers can join together to support the music and bring it back into the stores.

Otherwise, this trend will only continue to get worse.

Music should not be considered an unimportant addition to our society but an essential contributor that forms our society.

Without music, we will be retracting incredible amounts of progress, and as consumers, we have been degrading music by supporting the wrong types of entertainment and culture.

It is time we revert to the American traditions and give our support to the musicians who have given our society so much.

Yee credits his exposure to jazz as a helpful tool in developing his skills as a leader, both in music and life. As a stellar student and athlete, Yee is a very well-rounded person. His welcoming smile and friendly personality deliver a modest feeling rarely found in such talented musicians. His mentors praise his sincerity, especially Poway’s jazz director, Les Kepics, who is grateful to have such a passionate leader in the band.

As Yee continues to decide between University of California: Davis and Los Angeles, he has no doubt that he will continue to play and impress music upon others.

Although he will be majoring in biology, Yee is excited to study jazz and music and plans to join the jazz ensemble.

Although he will not be at Poway High next year, Yee’s impact on his school and music program will certainly be long lasting.

BRYAN

The jazz age: Senior Justin Yee performs with the Poway High school Jazz Band, performing a solo on alto saxophone. ~Courtesy of Justin Yee

Marching with the ranks: Senior Bryan Yee plays his trumpet at a Poway High Emerald Brigade practice, ~Courtesty of Justin Yee