I think that most of us have enjoyed moments in life where everything just suddenly seems to turn from black&white to Color. Like when we experienced something new for the very first time, that thing that you swore you‘ll never forget. Like that feeling we got when we were kids, that 'first time.'

For a kid growing up, a first can be an entirely new awakening, like their first big holiday, their first hot fudge sundae; when they learned how to ride a bike, their first car; their first road trip, and attending their first live concert featuring their favorite artists. You remember that feeling, the type of euphoria that floods your psyche, and you just know: “Life just doesn’t get any better than this.”

For an artist, that first time could be the first time you performed in front of a live audience, the first time you packed the house, the first time you got a rousing ovation followed by your first encore request; your first recording session or your first tour abroad. And the first time someone asked for 'your' autograph.

Those are the times that keep us young, keep us reaching; stretching for what else is out there, what else is possible? Those are the times that fuel our passions and affirm our dreams.

Urban Aspirations 'Young Natives Open Jam Sessions' is committed to providing that type of first for Chicago-area student jazz musicians, educators, and local artists.

'Young Natives' is a venue that provides young artists their 'first time' to play alongside such Chicago notables as Ken Chaney, Dee Alexander, Corey Wilkes, Willie Pickens, David Boykin; Pat Mallinger and many more. These are firsts that most "adults" would kill for.

These sessions will take place on the third Friday of the month 6pm to 9pm from January 2011 through May at the beautiful new Sikia Restaurant, 740 West 63rd street, on the campus of Kennedy King College, hosted by none other than WHPK’s own Lofton Emenari.

Urban Aspirations is currently in the process of preparing for our next jam. We are appealing to our Facebook family, and long time friends, for donations to support our efforts in launching our fourth season of 'Young Natives Open Jam Sessions,' scheduled to hit Friday, January 21st, 2011.

We are also offering a special incentive to all performing artists who make a donation of twenty-five dollars or more. They will receive a complimentary profile page on Urban Aspirations website’s artists’ link, created by our very talented web designer Semaj Salinas.

Please click on this 'Young Natives' link to learn more about our program, then review our artist profile page to learn how donating artists can provide information to us to receive a complimentary profile page on our website.

Also check out the blog that started it all: Young jazz comes to Englewood

Urban Aspirations is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, all donations are fully tax deductible.

Our goal is $5,000.00

Up to $2,000.00 can be donated by following this link to our Facebook page, or visit our website and click on our donate button. You can also send check or money order to:

Urban Aspirations

28 East Jackson

#10 B843

Chicago, Il 60604

The first time is the last time that you will ever experience 'that time'

...ever again.