In this episode, you are going to get a great Jazz History lesson. When I was getting my Master’s Degree at Queens College, I took a Jazz History course that I never forgot.
The Professor was a well-known, widely regarded Jazz musician even in his early thirties.
Grammy-nominated Alto Saxophonist, Composer, and Educator, Antonio Hart, regularly performs with the Dave Holland Band and the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, along with his own group.
He spent three years performing and recording with the late great Roy Hargrove, and has been a guest on over 100 recordings.
He has recorded 8 CD’s as a leader, and his latest CD is called Blessings.
He currently is a full-time Professor at The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College.
In this interview, we talked about:
- 1 simple, powerful tip to get started with Jazz history
- Antonio’s list of influential alto and tenor players from then to now
- His special relationship with Jimmy Heath, and the new recordings from Jimmy that are due to come out
- How to listen to your favorite musicians
- How Jazz & Blues are intertwined
- How using curiosity can improve your playing
- The struggles of Black musicians in the past and especially in today’s climate
- And so much more!
“You should have one foot in the past and one foot in the present.” Dizzy Gillespie
“Whenever there’s war or struggle, something beautiful comes out of that.” Antonio Hart
“Jazz is about democracy, inclusion and love.” Antonio Hart
You can watch the video of this interview HERE
Website: https://antoniohartmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antonio.hart6854
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hart_antonio/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRq_R_atdArQ8EixFCdYRjg
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Thanks for this great interview. I have been a fan of Antonio Hart since the early 90’s and it was wonderful for him to share his knowledge with all of us.
One thing that I learned from this interview is that I need to go back and listen to the players who influenced people that I like such as Cannonball Adderley and Paul Desmond. I am glad to hear that he really appreciates Desmond. I have had some teachers dismiss him because of his wheezy tone or the fact that he isn’t cool. Like Getz, Desmond really understood melody and knew who to improvise on it.
Keep up the great work. I really enjoy your YouTube videos. The one about fixing embouchure problems on the alto was excellent.
Thanks Paul for your comment, and yes “go back and listen to the players who influenced people that I like” – that was a game changer