Ever seen one of those old movies where, faced with an insurmountable problem, some enthusiastic youth snaps his fingers and says, “I know — let’s put on a show!”
It seems like Jacob Tupper, a senior at Mountlake Terrace High School, might be familiar with those classics.
Tupper, a jazz guitarist, wants to help buy a tractor to aid residents of the small African nation of Lesotho. To pull off the feat, the 17-year-old plans to stage a benefit concert in Seattle.
The show, at 7 tonight at Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall in Benaroya Hall, is expected to bring together award-winning jazz programs from three high schools: Mountlake Terrace, Roosevelt and Garfield. The show may include modern pieces, along with Duke Ellington-era jazz.
Tupper settled on the idea for a benefit while searching for a senior project, one of his graduation requirements. His mother, Beth Tupper, had been corresponding with the Rev. Clement Lefa Motlaopa, the head of St. Francis Missionary in Lesotho. Motlaopa wrote of a need for a tractor; one would cost around $20,000.
Looking for a project, Tupper found a cause.
“Our senior projects are supposed to do with our future career, and I really have no idea what I want to do,” he said. “But I know throughout my life, I’ve wanted to help people, and it seemed like a great opportunity to help.”
Lesotho certainly could use some help.
A tiny nation within a nation, the country is situated inside South Africa. With a landmass a little smaller than Maryland, Lesotho and its residents face a host of troubles, including a high rate of HIV/AIDS, grossly uneven income distribution and periodic droughts.
The concert, if successful, could help address some of those problems in a small way. A tractor might aid local agricultural efforts — a potentially big deal, since the country’s economy is largely based around subsistence farming.
To organize the benefit, Tupper spent a lot of time on the phone, getting in touch with band directors. He also received organizational help from the members of Holy Rosary Church in Edmonds — a welcome partner that, as a nonprofit organization, helped reserve the concert hall and will handle the money.
For the church, getting involved was a nonissue.
“Here is a teenager that I think is taking on a tremendously ambitious service project, and he needs to be supported,” Holy Rosary administrator John Russell said. “To me, it’s as simple as that.”
Now, Tupper has spent at least 80 hours — twice his school requirement — in the buildup to a two-hour show that could attract 540 people. Outside raising money for the tractor, he said he’s got one big wish for the concert at this point.
“I hope everyone enjoys themselves,” he said.
A Tractor for Lesotho benefit 7 tonight, Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle, $12, 800-838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/29043.
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