DENVER — Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji and guard Justin Holiday are focused on helping the Denver Nuggets repeat as NBA champions.
But when they’re not on the court, they trade their ball for a piano and a drum set. These Nuggets love to play music and spent time jamming with fellows at Youth On Record, an organization that provides music education and programs for young people from historically under-resourced communities. Both organizations have developed a partnership as part of a grant given to Youth On Record by Kroenke Sports and Entertainment.
“I had a lot of fun,” Nnaji said after playing the keys. “A lot more fun that I thought I would. That was like the first time I really did anything like that. Playing as a band, as a unit. Trying to make it sound good together. Being able to have music as an outlet for you and a way to let loose, express yourself I think is huge. I’m grateful for it.”
This get together was all improvisation. No set plays, if you will. Everyone hopped on an instrument and just started playing.
“Without any rules without any way we’re supposed to do it,” said Holiday, who was keeping the rhythm together on the drum set. “I think it’s really dope. It’s very refreshing. I’m always having a routine. In that situation it allows all of us to not be in a routine and just kinda vibe and actually get a feel for one another.”
Nnaji and Holiday actually told Youth On Record’s Executive Director Jami Duffy that they intend on coming back to use the facility and spend more time with the students.
“The fact that we get to bring players, to meet our young people, they’re building bonds that will last a lifetime. And they’re gonna keep making music and making connections together.”
Andrea Viarrial-Murphy, Deputy Director at Youth On Record, was the key in getting the Nuggets and the music organization connected, “ It’s so obvious the players wanted to be here and cared about the work that we were doing. It wasn’t forced. It was an open conversation!”
Nnaji, who plays piano everyday when his Nuggets are not on the road, says their jam session was more than just music, “Hearing the way that they played and expressed themselves in that jam session, you learn a lot about someone just by something simple like that. It’s cool to be able to get to know them and express ourselves in that way together.”
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