Interview with Jazmin Ghent: Expressed through the music: Video

Jazz Interview with jazz saxophonist Jazmin Ghent. An interview by email in writing. 

JazzBluesNews.Space: – First let’s start with where you grew up, and what got you interested in music?

Jazmin Ghent: – I grew up in Huntsville, AlabamaI. I was surrounded by music all of my life and at the age of 6, I began taking piano lessons.

JBN.S: – How did your sound evolve over time? What did you do to find and develop your sound?

JGH: – I played the piano in Sunday School and my parents purchased a saxophone for me when I was in middle school. Nancy Hallman was my saxophone teacher and a big influence in my style and appreciation for the instrument.

JBN.S: – What practice routine or exercise have you developed to maintain and improve your current musical ability especially pertaining to rhythm?

JGH: – I listened to Kirk Whalum, Gene Ammons, Stanley Turrentine and Gerald Albright. I was also required to study classical music in college. All of the above influences helped me develop the sound I have today.

JBN.S: – Which harmonies and harmonic patterns do you prefer now? You’re playing is very sensitive, deft, it’s smooth, and I’d say you drift more toward harmony than dissonance. There is some dissonance there, but you use it judiciously. Is that a conscious decision or again, is it just an output of what goes in?

JGH: – I do simple warm ups and change the rhythms to challenge myself.

JBN.S: – How to prevent disparate influences from coloring what you’re doing?

JGH: – I usually gravitate toward a more gospel soulful sound.

JBN.S: – What’s the balance in music between intellect and soul?

JGH: – It encompasses many aspects of my life. It was formed through recent experiences expressed through the music.

JBN.S: – There’s a two-way relationship between audience and artist; you’re okay with giving the people what they want?

JGH: – They are two different entities.

JBN.S: – Please any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

JGH: – Yes, within reason. The goal is always to stay true to myself.

JBN.S: – How can we get young people interested in jazz when most of the standard tunes are half a century old?

JGH: – My favorite memory was “The Smooth Jazz Cruise” in 2014. It was very exciting and day first opportunity to meet some of the artists I’ve listened to all of my life. I was in a contest and judged by Boney James, Marcus Miller and Brian Culbertson. I won the contest and was the Opening Act for the Sirius XM Watercolors Hall of Fame Concert.

JBN.S: – John Coltrane said that music was his spirit. How do you understand the spirit and the meaning of life?

JGH: – I am a music teacher in an elementary setting (K-5). Teachers should revise or alter the old standards adding new age influences. Rhythm and movement should be added to activities to make the music appealing and interactive for the students.

JBN.S: – If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

JGH: – I think it is a journey … it is understood more as you live…

JBN.S: – Who do you find yourself listening to these days?

JGH: – Non-categorization of music.

JBN.S: – What is the message you choose to bring through your music?

JGH: – These days I listen to Richard Elliot, Fourplay and Candy Dulfer.

JBN.S: – Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go?

JGH: – If I took a trip with a time machine I would want to go forward to the future.

JBN.S: – I have been asking you so far, now may I have a question from yourself…

JGH: – Who is your favorite jazz artist and what is your favorite instrument?

JBN.S: – Thanks for answers. More others …

JBN.S: – So putting that all together, how are you able to harness that now?

JGH: – Music is my passion and my form of therapy.

Interview by Simon Sargsyan