VICENZA, Italy – Sitting behind the keyboard at the recent Music Café, Pfc. Joshua Lemorin hesitated to play anything.
A self-taught pianist from Miami, Lemorin never jammed with a band before.
His hands hovered above the keys. On stage nearby, seasoned Italian and American musicians fluttered through a bouncing jazz-inspired jam, and he wasn’t sure how to fit in, he said.
“He’s playing his part, she’s playing her part. I’m wondering when do I come in,” said Lemorin, a military police Soldier at U.S. Army Garrison Italy. “I thought there would be some type of barrier, but music is universal. You’ve got to find that rhythm, you get right with the groove, and you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
Weeks earlier a barracks flyer offering music lessons at Soldiers Theatre caught Lemorin's eye – and thought he’d give it a try. There he met Barry Robinson who inspired Lemorin with his musician’s tales that date back 60 years. Robinson, a longtime employee of USAG Italy’s directorate of Families, Morale, Welfare & Recreation, has hosted Music Café, a monthly open mic and jam session on post since 2010. He encouraged Lemorin to take part.
In May, he first sat in with a group of fellow musicians – most were Italian. It was different than playing in church, he said.
“If you understand your craft – you know your instrument and I know my instrument – then we can come together and make music together,” said Lemorin, shortly after his set concluded.
On drums that evening was Spc. Derek Kiendrebeogo. Growing up in Burkina Faso, Kiendrebeogo also began playing music in church. Not surprising, the paratrooper found his way to the garrison chapel’s Gospel service on Caserma Ederle, where Robinson saw him drumming. Robinson also encouraged Kiendrebeogo to visit the Music Café.
A percussionist, Kiendrebeogo explored rhythms that led Italian players to jam on several jazz, R&B and pop tunes.
“This place is wonderful full of great musicians,” said Kiendrebeogo, when his set concluded. “If you love music, if you like having fun and want a calm place that clears your spirit then this is the place to come.”
Wrapping guitar cables nearby, Robinson overhears the Soldiers discussing how his Music Café inspires, motivates and encourages them to explore their musical creativity. A retired noncommissioned officer who served in Vietnam, Robinson has kept music a part of his life since the 1960’s, where he got his start playing in Camden, New Jersey. Offering Soldiers opportunities to maintain their musical side is near to his heart.
“It’s why I do what I do,” Robinson said.
Growing up near Olympia, Washington, Matthew Bailey, 24, had his fair share of challenges as a teen. Music seemed to be the outlet that carried him through, he said.
Now a private in the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, Bailey was under the spotlight strumming his acoustic guitar during a recent Music Café session. Afterward, he shared how he first picked up the guitar at 18, using his McDonald’s paycheck at a local pawn shop to get a cheap acoustic. By that summer’s end, he was back at the pawn shop trading up for an electric.
“There have been times, in the past, I felt music is the only thing that brings me happiness,” Bailey said.
Recalling childhood trumpet lessons, plus piano lessons his grandmother paid for, Bailey found himself performing where he could in Olympia. He’d point out Kurt Cobain’s house for tourists, charging them $5 and did other odd jobs before finding his way to a recruiting station.
“I wanted to make a change,” Bailey said.
In Vicenza, he found likeminded paratroopers in the barracks who were also interested in performing music. Some recently played the battle of the bands in March. Bailey, however, found his way to Soldiers’ Theatre, where his guitar finger-picking was recognized by experienced Italian musicians who called out for Bailey to play an extra tune.
“Being able to come to a place like this, to experience music and be a part of creating it, lifts my spirit and reenergizes me to get back into the work week,” Bailey said.
This summer, Soldiers Theatre hosts Music Café on June 23, July 14 and August 18. For more information visit https://italy.armymwr.com/
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