Jim "Franklin" Kim

The best thing this month was seeing the completion and outstanding performance of Brad's trumpet piece for fellow musician Brian Chin's concert. In Brad's words, from his notes on the piece, which is called "The Mis-Education of Jim 'Franklin' Kim," and is for Trumpet, Bass Clarinet, Cello, Bass, and Percussion, . . . If a "dude" were to be depicted by a piece for mixed ensemble including trumpet, how would that sound? It might include themes from the time of his childhood (in days of yesteryear, local folk tunes but in this case Led Zepplin), or might jump around in some ADD inspired but drug addled revelry of free associative stream of consciousness. This "dude" loves to throw back some beers while taking in a game with the guys, punching his baseball mitt with every new batter, personalizing the action to his very being. This "dude" also knows the minutae, knows every crease in the field, every statistic. This "dude" drives a big truck and knows how to stomp on it. This "dude" speaks to threadbare in all of us. This "dude" understands. Jim Kim got mixed up with the "dude." Jim Kim lent his mitt to the "dude" one fateful evening as the Mariners got pummeled by the White Sox. You know this story. You've heard it many a time. This story is all about....... understanding.