Post by Jonel on Nov 22, 2004 8:07:27 GMT -5
Posted on Fri, Nov. 19, 2004
PASCAGOULA
Band director's 'Heart Rejoices' after completion of his first CD
Saxophonist Jerry Ball, who touched thousands of lives during 25 years as a school band director, is now touching others with a sacred music CD, "My Heart Rejoices."
"I have been waiting to record for years," said Ball, who plays professionally all over the United States with groups such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, Mary Wilson and The Supremes and Frankie Valli.
Ball says he is pleased with all the hard work that went into "My Heart Rejoices," which tells his personal story in three words.
"The Lord has done so many things in my life. When I play sacred music, the response by people is awesome," he said. "When I'm told, 'You bless my life,' I know it's a God-given gift to be able to do that. It's not just a technical ability. It's beyond the horn."
"Jerry is a musician's musician," said Gary Anglin, his minister of music at Pascagoula First Baptist Church. "He plays with real feeling and passion, and an audience can feel the depth he puts into his playing. He is going to be very busy in the field of Christian music after this superb CD."
Ball knew that making a professional CD would involve hours of practice and coordination. He and local pianist Annette Graham, who worked with him on two of the singles, found out how much work. They formatted and recorded them at local studios.
He called on one of the best in the business, friend Jerome Gilmer, a six-time Emmy winner, who would do the arranging, orchestrating, performing and mixing.
"All of the beautiful sounds besides saxophone were done by Gilmer in his studio in Denver," Ball said.
"When you orchestrate something, it has to be done rhythmically with every note exactly timed." he added. "We went through many editing mixes to meet today's industry standards."
But Ball doesn't mind hard work. As a member of the Tuscaloosa Horns, he performs from San Francisco to Radio City Music Hall in New York with talented groups such as The Temptations. He played recently at the 25th annual Ron Meyers' Christmas City crafts show at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and will be at a Christmas event in downtown Pascagoula on Dec. 3. He's booked at many churches in Mississippi and Alabama, as well as performing with local talent at weddings, receptions and other events.
His CD was premiered nationwide on American Family Radio on Sunday.
Ball began playing clarinet when he was in the third grade because it was convenient to practice with his older sister who was into lessons.
"The clarinet is the foundation for woodwinds. If you can play clarinet, you can pick up saxophone, oboe and flute."
Ball was one of five children of Ray and Frances Ball of Panama City, Fla. His dad coached football with the city leagues, and all the children played instruments and sports. Jerry played football, baseball and ran track.
"My first playing job as a kid in the '60s paid $8 and all the cherry Coke I could drink," he said. "It's the most exciting thing I can remember, sitting on stage and playing 'In The Mood' while people danced to our music."
He earned a scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi, eventually receiving his master's degree, and in between traveled the world in a unique U.S. Navy show band, playing for the troops, at schools and in recruiting drives.
Ball came here as band director at Colmer Junior High and then at Pascagoula High for a total of 25 years. PHS had only 74 members in the band but grew to 130, as Ball became a favorite of the students and parents alike.
With an exciting show-style approach, he gained respect, admiration and plenty of support for his award-winning Panther Band.
When he retired in 2000, he and wife Mary Jane, an elementary school teacher, moved north of Vancleave after building a country home where they welcome visits from their two daughters, two son-in-laws and two grandchildren.
But for a retiree, Ball seems to be busier than ever and still loves what he does.
Courtesy of Biloxi/Gulfport Mississippi Sun Herald
www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/living/community/10219462.htm
PASCAGOULA
Band director's 'Heart Rejoices' after completion of his first CD
Saxophonist Jerry Ball, who touched thousands of lives during 25 years as a school band director, is now touching others with a sacred music CD, "My Heart Rejoices."
"I have been waiting to record for years," said Ball, who plays professionally all over the United States with groups such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, Mary Wilson and The Supremes and Frankie Valli.
Ball says he is pleased with all the hard work that went into "My Heart Rejoices," which tells his personal story in three words.
"The Lord has done so many things in my life. When I play sacred music, the response by people is awesome," he said. "When I'm told, 'You bless my life,' I know it's a God-given gift to be able to do that. It's not just a technical ability. It's beyond the horn."
"Jerry is a musician's musician," said Gary Anglin, his minister of music at Pascagoula First Baptist Church. "He plays with real feeling and passion, and an audience can feel the depth he puts into his playing. He is going to be very busy in the field of Christian music after this superb CD."
Ball knew that making a professional CD would involve hours of practice and coordination. He and local pianist Annette Graham, who worked with him on two of the singles, found out how much work. They formatted and recorded them at local studios.
He called on one of the best in the business, friend Jerome Gilmer, a six-time Emmy winner, who would do the arranging, orchestrating, performing and mixing.
"All of the beautiful sounds besides saxophone were done by Gilmer in his studio in Denver," Ball said.
"When you orchestrate something, it has to be done rhythmically with every note exactly timed." he added. "We went through many editing mixes to meet today's industry standards."
But Ball doesn't mind hard work. As a member of the Tuscaloosa Horns, he performs from San Francisco to Radio City Music Hall in New York with talented groups such as The Temptations. He played recently at the 25th annual Ron Meyers' Christmas City crafts show at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and will be at a Christmas event in downtown Pascagoula on Dec. 3. He's booked at many churches in Mississippi and Alabama, as well as performing with local talent at weddings, receptions and other events.
His CD was premiered nationwide on American Family Radio on Sunday.
Ball began playing clarinet when he was in the third grade because it was convenient to practice with his older sister who was into lessons.
"The clarinet is the foundation for woodwinds. If you can play clarinet, you can pick up saxophone, oboe and flute."
Ball was one of five children of Ray and Frances Ball of Panama City, Fla. His dad coached football with the city leagues, and all the children played instruments and sports. Jerry played football, baseball and ran track.
"My first playing job as a kid in the '60s paid $8 and all the cherry Coke I could drink," he said. "It's the most exciting thing I can remember, sitting on stage and playing 'In The Mood' while people danced to our music."
He earned a scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi, eventually receiving his master's degree, and in between traveled the world in a unique U.S. Navy show band, playing for the troops, at schools and in recruiting drives.
Ball came here as band director at Colmer Junior High and then at Pascagoula High for a total of 25 years. PHS had only 74 members in the band but grew to 130, as Ball became a favorite of the students and parents alike.
With an exciting show-style approach, he gained respect, admiration and plenty of support for his award-winning Panther Band.
When he retired in 2000, he and wife Mary Jane, an elementary school teacher, moved north of Vancleave after building a country home where they welcome visits from their two daughters, two son-in-laws and two grandchildren.
But for a retiree, Ball seems to be busier than ever and still loves what he does.
Courtesy of Biloxi/Gulfport Mississippi Sun Herald
www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/living/community/10219462.htm