DATE: Friday, October 24, 1997              TAG: 9710240064

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY HATTIE BROWN, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

THESE THREE GUYS HAVE A THING FOR JAZZ

THERE ARE A few things you can figure out just by looking at the name of the band Three Guys Who Play.

They're three guys and they play instruments.

What you can't tell is that jazz is their music of choice and religion is the driving force behind the group.

``Let's open in prayer like we always do,'' Jacob Clemons, a member of the band, says before a recent performance. Band members proceed to thank God for their talents and for inspiring them to become musicians.

The oldest member is 17-year-old Joshua Crowgey, the guitarist and lead singer. He is a freshman at Old Dominion University. Indian River High junior Ryan Corbitt is the bassist and Jacob, a 17-year-old senior at Tallwood High, plays the saxophone.

``Having a saxophone adds a lot of emotion. It brings the soul out of the music,'' Jacob says.

Three Guys Who Play has been together for just four months, yet band members already have written several original songs.

``Our favorite thing to do is write our own music,'' says Joshua. ``But it's harder because we have to write songs which can be changed easily.'' That's because the band likes to improvise.

One of the band's originals, ``I Sweat When I Play B-Ball on the Court,'' is ``hard-core jazz,'' says Joshua. It's like jazz but it's louder, more like alternative jazz, he adds.

Another song, ``This One's for the Ladies,'' is slow and melodic, even romantic. It almost sounds too serious and traditional for three teen-agers. And the amusing ``Yell Out Some Chords Song'' has a story behind it. One night when the guys got bored. they started spontaneously calling out chords and playing them onstage. This caught the attention of the audience and led to a song by that name.

Three Guys Who Play also does interesting cover songs, including ``Rubber Ducky'' (that cute Sesame Street song), ``Tequila'' and ``I Shot the Sheriff.'' Even with the cover songs, they add their own extras.

Although the group's only been together a short while, each member brings something special to the band, whether it's their experience or their taste in music.

Saxophonist Jacob is a member of the Governor's School for the Arts. He even played at Bill Clinton's first presidential inauguration. One of his biggest inspirations, his uncle Clarence Clemons, played with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Jacob says he's met Springsteen.

Band members have diverse musical influences, ranging from the Beatles to They Might Be Giants.

``Our music is not limited by stereotypes,'' says Joshua. ``Everybody digs chill music sometimes,''

Or they might enjoy the energetic, funky beat the band can give a tune.

Three Guys Who Play entertains the crowd at Old Dominion Coffee Company every Monday night and is hoping to soon play at other locations.

Although jazz bands aren't terribly popular with teen-agers, these guys believe that everyone will like their music.

``People will like our music if they want to relax and feel worry-free,'' says Ryan.

Three Guys Who Play is a strong trio that's ready for success.

Says Joshua: ``Wherever the music takes us is where we'll go.'' MEMO: Hattie Brown is a member of the Spotlight Crew and a junior at

Indian River High School in Chesapeake. If you have a tip or a

suggestion for the Spotlight Crew, write to us at: Spotlight Crew, 4565

Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Include your name, phone

number and your suggestions. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

VICKI CRONIS

The Virginian-Pilot

Three Guys Who Play...

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