Musicians display talents on Broad
Ashley Whitaker
Issue date: 10/27/09 Section: Arts & Life
Music can be heard for miles during First Friday, but Aaron Chiles' smooth saxophone cuts through the crowd.
Chiles, who works as an electrical engineer by day, has become a master of sorts when it comes to First Friday. He has played the event since August. Chiles not only plays the saxophone, he also performs on the piano and sings. His brand of music is not the norm when it comes to bands performing at First Friday.
"It's a mix of gospel and some jazz, but mostly Christian gospel," he said.
Although Chiles said he only picked up the saxophone nine months ago, he said he is catching on quickly. Chiles said he is self-taught on the piano, which he has been practicing since he was 13, and was inspired by a friend to start playing the saxophone.
"I wanted to play saxophone since I was in college," he said. "I have several friends that play the alto sax and one of my friends gave me lessons the week of finals back in college. That was over six years ago. My friend kept sending me videos of people playing the saxophone, so I went out and rented one, decided I liked it, so I bought one. And I've been playing ever since."
Chiles said that he sees no reason why he won't continue playing First Friday all the way through the winter months.
"I enjoy playing at First Friday," he said. "I've had the same location every time and I plan to keep playing there." Chiles plays next to the clock in the Middle of Broad Street every First Friday.
Chiles said he started playing First Friday after his brother played. He said that the crowds are good, but unpredictable.
"It varies," he said. "It depends on the time I get. This past First Friday in October I got 8:30 p.m. till 10 p.m. and the crowd was bigger."
As for signing up to play First Friday as a performer, there is no cost. Unlike vendors, who have to pay a $25 fee each First Friday in order to participate, street performers and musicians only have to apply through the Greater Augusta Arts Council. When, and if, a time slot is available, a representative from the Georgia Council of the Arts will call the performer and assign a time. Chiles said that his time slot depends on how early he registers.
Chiles said that other than First Friday, he doesn't really play shows on a regular basis.
"Right now, I mostly play at my church," he said. "I have in the past performed at weddings and black history shows. Recently my brother, who is a band director at Burke County, and I got to be the opening act at their (Burke County) talent show."
Chiles said that his brother was partly the reason why he started performing at First Friday.
"It was kind of his idea," he said. "We wanted to play Arts in the Heart and then we were like, 'well, maybe we can play First Friday.' We made it to First Friday, but we didn't make it to Arts in the Heart."
As for advertising for his performances at First Friday, Chiles is pretty low-key.
"I just advertise by word-of-mouth," he said. "Facebook. I'm just getting started with this whole thing."
Chiles, who works as an electrical engineer by day, has become a master of sorts when it comes to First Friday. He has played the event since August. Chiles not only plays the saxophone, he also performs on the piano and sings. His brand of music is not the norm when it comes to bands performing at First Friday.
"It's a mix of gospel and some jazz, but mostly Christian gospel," he said.
Although Chiles said he only picked up the saxophone nine months ago, he said he is catching on quickly. Chiles said he is self-taught on the piano, which he has been practicing since he was 13, and was inspired by a friend to start playing the saxophone.
"I wanted to play saxophone since I was in college," he said. "I have several friends that play the alto sax and one of my friends gave me lessons the week of finals back in college. That was over six years ago. My friend kept sending me videos of people playing the saxophone, so I went out and rented one, decided I liked it, so I bought one. And I've been playing ever since."
Chiles said that he sees no reason why he won't continue playing First Friday all the way through the winter months.
"I enjoy playing at First Friday," he said. "I've had the same location every time and I plan to keep playing there." Chiles plays next to the clock in the Middle of Broad Street every First Friday.
Chiles said he started playing First Friday after his brother played. He said that the crowds are good, but unpredictable.
"It varies," he said. "It depends on the time I get. This past First Friday in October I got 8:30 p.m. till 10 p.m. and the crowd was bigger."
As for signing up to play First Friday as a performer, there is no cost. Unlike vendors, who have to pay a $25 fee each First Friday in order to participate, street performers and musicians only have to apply through the Greater Augusta Arts Council. When, and if, a time slot is available, a representative from the Georgia Council of the Arts will call the performer and assign a time. Chiles said that his time slot depends on how early he registers.
Chiles said that other than First Friday, he doesn't really play shows on a regular basis.
"Right now, I mostly play at my church," he said. "I have in the past performed at weddings and black history shows. Recently my brother, who is a band director at Burke County, and I got to be the opening act at their (Burke County) talent show."
Chiles said that his brother was partly the reason why he started performing at First Friday.
"It was kind of his idea," he said. "We wanted to play Arts in the Heart and then we were like, 'well, maybe we can play First Friday.' We made it to First Friday, but we didn't make it to Arts in the Heart."
As for advertising for his performances at First Friday, Chiles is pretty low-key.
"I just advertise by word-of-mouth," he said. "Facebook. I'm just getting started with this whole thing."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Aaron Chiles
posted 10/29/09 @ 1:09 PM EST
Ashley,
Thanks for this great article. I appreciate your coverage and writing these kind words.
Starling Jones,Jr.
posted 10/29/09 @ 6:10 PM EST
Good to hear that you are moving forward with your sax playing. You have progressed greatly in short period of time. The music is really cool. Keep up the good work. (Continued…)
Online Essay Services
posted 12/01/09 @ 3:29 PM EST
It is great that street performers and musicians only have to apply through the Greater Augusta Arts Council, without spending money. And it is a chance for musicians to show them for public. (Continued…)
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