by Christy Rodriguez de Conte

Musician Aaron Hayden has assembled his friends and invites you into the circle. Christmas with Aaron and Friends combines music and food to celebrate the holidays at the Palaver Tree Theater in Crawfordville on Dec. 22.

A young man enters middle school. Like most of his peers, he is excited to embark on this new phase of life but unsure of the treasures it holds. He winds through the corridors and stops. He has reached his destination, the place that will become his haven: the band room.

As all the children pile into the rehearsal space together, an ease overcomes them. They realize they are all beginners and eager to learn. Just then, Mr. Dave Berry, their band director, enters with instruments galore. He encourages them to try all the different wind instruments with mouthpieces you can put to your mouth and blow on.

The young man attempts each one. The flute, the clarinet, the trumpet, and more, but much to his dismay, he cannot make a sound. That is, until he picks up the saxophone and blows. At that precise moment, the saxophone chose Aaron Hayden, and Hayden chose music for life.

Music plays a massive role in Hayden’s life. As a kid, he was surrounded by it. His mother played piano for church while his father and siblings sang in the choir. Although he and his sister could be found listening to rhythms & blues on the radio when given an opportunity, a shared love for gospel music guided his family.

“We would have John P. Kee and Take 6 playing. There were others as well, like Kirk Franklin and Thomas Whitfield,” says Hayden. “We listened to a lot of gospel music!”

Although deeply rooted in the church and the community, Hayden flourished in the marching band at his high school in Detroit, Michigan. With time, he learned new instruments like the piano, cello, bass, drums, and trumpet, but his love of the saxophone stayed strong.

This introduction to music not only nurtured Hayden spiritually and communally, but it also supported his education when he received a scholarship to attend Florida A&M University and join the internationally known FAMU marching band, The Marching 100, under Dr. Julian White.

Hayden was surprised by his love for Tallahassee. He eventually met his wife in the capital city he now calls home. He credits the Tallahassee music scene and the churches in town for enriching his knowledge and experience with music. “I love the way the community interacts. And churches produce the best musicians,” smiles Hayden.

Musicians are a rare breed. They can methodically balance the melodies of a song with moments of dissonance while still organically bearing their soul on a stage. That is talent, something Hayden lacks none of. He can bend an instrument to his will, using the tightening and loosening of his lips along with the tight tune in his ear to produce masterful melodies.

According to Hayden, it is there where the mind and soul meet. “They kind of work together and against each other. Your mind may analyze and say, ‘This type of music should be played in a certain type of style,’ and most times, your soul will agree,” says Hayden. He elaborates, “It might even say, ‘Add some flavor here and a twist there.’ Especially if it is in soul music.”

For Hayden, a goal of his music making is to create a feeling of both mental relaxation and physical energy.

He hopes to provide a space where the listener can forget about life’s stressors and instead focus on feeling good vibes and sharing that positive energy.

Hayden clarifies and stresses the mental aspect of the relaxation and adds, “Your body may be doing something different. You can come and sit back and chill, but you can also clap your hands, stomp your feet, and even get on the dance floor. We want to relax you and rock you at the same time.”

To find the unique balance of mind and soul in sound, Hayden turned to his friends. In 2018, he pulled together his musical mates and performed Christmas with Aaron and Friends. Because what better time to create music with friends than the holidays?

As the first of many Christmas shows. Hayden combined his faith and love of music in one production that he and his talented ensemble share with Tallahassee. This year, Hayden is joined by pianist Jon Salaam, guitarist and trumpeter Aundre Conner, bassist Andrew Conner and drummer Phillip Hayes.

Additional guest appearances include soulful singers Ayonna Charese and Star Swain, along with spoken word artist Ms. Brittany. The concert features many old-school R&B songs with Christmas music interlaced throughout the night.

In addition to music with friends, family cooking is also at the heart of this event. Food will be provided by T. Davis Catering and Hayden’s mother, Nanah J, of Nanah J’s Baking Co. in Detroit, featuring some of her delicious Christmas cookies.

“And don’t think that she can’t cook because she comes from Detroit,” laughed Hayden. For Hayden, family and music have always gone hand in hand, and this concert is no different. It is an opportunity to celebrate the holidays with the friends and family who fill our lives with love.

For their 7th year, Christmas with Aaron and Friends promises good music, good food, and good vibes all wrapped up in Christmas cheer.

Read the article on the Tallahassee Democrat.