On February 28, legendary jazz drummer Louis Hayes visited P.S. 126, at 166th and Ogden Avenue.

Along with his band-T.C. III on vocals, Michael Max Fleming on bass, and Marcus Perseani on piano- Hayes performed several songs for students and teachers.  In between, students from Ms. Lisa Bell's sixth-grade class took the stage and read their original poetry about Hayes to the man himself.  "I'll cherish that forever," Hayes said.

What follows is a sampling of those poems:

"Louis Hayes Born to Drum"
         By Sabier Richards

Louis Hayes was born to drum
He made jazz sound a little more fun.
He has played with a  lot of bands.
He blows the competition away, like wind fans.

Louis has inspired many people.
Like an ongoing sequel.
He is a true drumming master.
His dream cannot be turned into a disaster.

Louis is a great musician.
His dream came true like a great super vision.
He is above anybody's compare.
He plays his music for fun and to share.

“Louis Hayes”
         By Amanda Cooks

Louis Hayes is the best drummer.
But when he didn't perform, people said 'Man, what a bummer.'
He worked with these people for many years.
A saxophonist and a trumpeter.

When he played his drums he thought of joy.
When people listened, they said 'Boy, oh boy.'
Many people were very inspired by Louis Hayes.
They probably thought about drumming also each day.

Every time he plays his drums he says he learns
Something new.
When fans watched him, his popularity grew.
Louis Hayes is a good man.
Though he went through struggles, to be the best
That he can.

“Louis Hayes,”
        By  Artist Dubose

Louis Hayes is a jazz musician
He was born in Detroit, the state of Michigan.
Louis loved to play the piano and the drum
Doing those things was a lot of fun.
He traveled and traveled, and made his way.
You will be surprised, when you hear him play.
The drum and piano made him a great man.
He also has a lot of great fans.
One day I want to be just like him.
So I can show the world, and let the drums begin.