Jecorey Arthur, better known as 1200, is a man of many aptitudes. He is a teacher, program director and talented musician- these titles only scratching the surface of his influence in the Louisville music scene.
He began composing music at age 10. At age 12, he saved his money and bought a KORG D-1200, a digital recorded with a CD burner. “I was on it so much my best friend started calling me 1200. I’ve been 1200 for over a decade,” he said. At 10 years old, 1200 didn't know that his influence on our urban environment, music education and his success as a performer in Louisville was only beginning.
Louisville.com: What led you to become a music teacher?
1200: "I decided to teach because I owe my life to my music teachers. I want to help someone the way I was helped. I teach general music to all 500 students at Hite (kindergarten through fifth grade). I also direct the Junkyard Hawks Percussion Ensemble, Hite Jam Band, and teach private lessons to many of the students in those groups."
Louisville.com: So, you teach over 500 students at Hite Elementary School. How do those students influence you?
Louisville.com: Describe what you do with Academy of Music Production Education and Development (AMPED) Louisville.
1200: "I’m the Program Director. I decide what curriculum is taught, who teaches it, and how they teach it. I also plan and organize many of their performances."
Louisville.com: Do you think music has the potential to bring a community together? To end violence? To prevent kids from going down the wrong path?
Louisville.com: How would you like to see music education progress in the future?
Louisville.com: How does the Louisville music scene inspire you?
1200: "Life is the ultimate inspiration. Inspiration comes in an unlimited amount of ways. If I go to a rock concert and every band sounds the same, I’m inspired to make sure I stick out as much as possible at a hip hop show. If I go to a rock concert and every band sounds different, I’m probably on that bill just to make it even more diverse."
Louisville.com: What do you think about the Louisville music scene and where do you fit in?
1200: "I have an interesting perspective, because I’m performing in the scene and booking acts. I’m also teaching the next generation of musicians. I was recently appointed as Music Director for a series of events at the Speed Art Museum and I program Resurfaced.
I have a lot of acts to book. I don’t listen to anything but Louisville music. I don’t have time to listen to anything else. The Louisville music scene has some hidden gems in it. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for groups like The Tunesmiths, Maiden Radio, Ut Gret, Tall Squares, Twin Limb, Stereo Empire, and Fredrick The Younger."
Louisville.com: Which artists, locally or globally, inspire you?
Louisville.com: Tell me about performing at Forecastle with Dr. Dundiff this past summer.
1200: "It was the most fun I’ve had in a while. I wish I could have enjoyed the rest of the festival, but I was dying from heat. I performed three times that day. Being at Forecastle felt like a family affair, and Dr. Dundiff was the grandfather. What a wonderful human."
Louisville.com: If you could be an opening performer for anyone, who would it be?
1200: "I want to open a show for a Beethoven hologram."
Louisville.com: Describe your dream performance. The venue? The opening act?
1200: "I want to perform at the KFC Yum Center with Jordan Jetson opening."
Louisville.com: Where do you see 1200 in five years?
1200: "I’ll be teaching and performing around the world. I’ll definitely still be doing that in Louisville, but I want to give the rest of the world what I have to offer.
Keep yours eyes peeled for 1200 in 2016. Although many of his endeavors will be a surprise, which we can all look forward to, he did share that he will be recording a lot of music and film. "I'm also working on several education initiatives and projects with musicians, in and out of the country."
