Allen was sleeping at home one evening when shocked awake by a TV news item. There had been a 1 among a group of children in New Orleans, and a nine-year-old boy named Bryant had been killed. Allen was 2 and heartbroken.
Born in the poor area, Allen is one of the most 3 jazz trumpeters (号手) in a city, who appears frequently on local television. It didn't take long for Allen to think of a possible 4 after he saw the tragic news. He had a few 5 trumpets lying around. Maybe he could offer them to kids 6 their guns.
"What saved me was a trumpet, the music and culture of the city that it 7 me with," Allen says. "It showed me that success and connections can be 8 through self-expression."
Allen met with the mayor (市长) to figure out 9 to make children feel safe coming forward with their guns.
"They 10 want to give up their guns," says Allen, who has collected seven guns so far, a small 11 important start.
Besides, after the exchanges, Allen connects the children with local 12 who give them free virtual (虚拟的) trumpet lessons. He also started a Go Fund Me page to purchase more instruments to 13 . He has brought 14 for his city.
"I just say, ‘Look, I come from where you come from, and I can show you the way that got me out,'" says Allen. "‘And music may not be the way for you, but it will at least 15 your mind to see what's out there.'"
