As part of our 75th Anniversary celebration, we’re excited to feature a new storytelling series in The Score, written by Paige Perkins and told through the voice of our fictional friend, Pert- the GSO’s most enthusiastic (and possibly longest-serving) supporter. With humor, heart, and a healthy dose of Southern charm, Pert will guide readers through the GSO’s early days and its evolution into the vibrant organization it is today.
Written by lifelong music lover and natural storyteller Paige Perkins, these monthly tales offer a delightful peek behind the curtain of our rich history.
We hope you’ll follow along-and as Pert would say, “Stay out of treble!”
Happy New Year! I hope you started 2026 with some good friends, some black-eyed peas, and greens. Lord, I had a mess of both at my house and it was a delight!
After luncheon, everyone shared their resolutions. I swear Nadine has had the same one since I’ve known her – lose 10 pounds. If she’d lost 10 pounds every time she promised to, she’d been hanging from a charm bracelet.
Bitsy always resolves to read more and Betty always promises to take her husband’s old clothes to Goodwill. Of course Bill always counters by saying his resolution is to stop Betty from giving away his favorite clothes!
I’m not much for resolutions. But, I did have one that turned out to be a surprise. A few years ago I made a resolution to try and like Jazz music. That’s right. I didn’t like Jazz, or at least I didn’t think I did.
Both of my late husbands loved Jazz music. They played it on the stereo, and were devoted to listening to programs on public radio. I don’t know what it was, but for some reason it just didn’t sit right with my ears.
However, awhile back I decided my New Year’s resolution was to try and find out why folks loved Jazz so much. To get started I went straight to the source, Sam Skelton, director of GSO Jazz! He’s also a saxophone legend in his own right so I thought of all people, he could help me.
Sam personally invited me to the “Samba on the Strand” concert and said I’d get a kick out of it. It would have been rude to turn him down, so me and a girlfriend bundled up that cold February night and headed over to the Square.
I’m going to tell you, things warmed up quickly! This was the happiest sound I’d heard in awhile and not what I expected at all. I asked my friend, “Is this Jazz music?” She laughed and said there are all sorts of Jazz. That night I danced right out of the Strand and to the library the next morning to learn more.
I’ve learned that Jazz music is not just one sound, but many. That gives us all kinds of ways to connect to this wonderful American original. Don’t care for Coltrane? Then maybe Count Basie is more your style. I learned I’m more of a Bebop fan than Fusion, and that’s just fine. GSO Jazz! lets me try out all sorts of Jazz. Besides this old dog learning something new, I’ve met folks who just adore this music in all its forms. That’s an extra gift.
Next month you have two opportunities to hear the music that I now love. First, on February 7, when GSO Jazz! joins the entire symphony orchestra to play everything from Count Basie to Charlie Parker. Then on February 28, you can join me where my Jazz journey began to hear a celebration of Sergio Mendes at the Strand. Doesn’t matter what the temperature will be outside, because this music will keep you warm!
Make a resolution you actually want to keep. Get yourself a ticket or two to hear something shiny and bright for 2026. It’s a whole lot more fun than counting calories or cleaning out closets.
Until next time, stay out of treble!
Pert
