Jazz interview with jazz trumpeter and composer John Daversa. An interview by email in writing.
JazzBluesNews.Space: – 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?
John Daversa: – Harmony and dissonance are two ends of the same candle. How would one know what harmony is without dissonance? Hot or cold? Light or dark? Where a musician may be on that spectrum is a reaction to what the music is reflecting, or perhaps what the moment or the story needs. Knowing this, I tend to follow “sound” more than a harmonic pattern. It is as if sound is an area. It is a place on the painting.
JBN.S: – How to prevent disparate influences from coloring what you’re doing?
JD: – My first reaction to this question is, why would I want to prevent disparate influences? (: Everything (and nothing) exists simultaneously. Perhaps it’s akin to frequencies. Frequencies are constant around us (and in us), but we have the ability to tune in or tune out of them. Which frequencies we want to invite to the party is up to us. All Is One.
JBN.S: – What do you love most about your new album 2018: <John Daversa Big Band – American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom>, how it was formed and what you are working on today.
JD: – It combines a powerful intention and statement with music I love. I hope this album can utilize art as a platform to raise awareness, telling the human stories of DACA recipients, Dreamers, children who were brought to The United States by no fault of their own, yet find themselves undocumented in the country they have grown up in.
I saw what was going on in the news and wanted to do something. 53 courageous Dreamers contributed to this album on BFM Jazz, and so many other brilliant people. It’s all so much bigger than just the music.
Right now, I’m working on sharing this album so can make a difference. In regards to a “next” musical project, there are a few ideas I’m considering. I want to continue working with material that has beneficial intention for our society and community. And so, the next “note” will come.
JBN.S: – What’s the balance in music between intellect and soul?
JD: – The balance is a constant balance. The game is to observe.
JBN.S: – There’s a two-way relationship between audience and artist; you’re okay with giving the people what they want?
JD: – Feedback from the audience is a wonderful tool, a mirror for me to see if I’m traveling in the intended direction.
JBN.S: – Please any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?
JD: – Experiencing “America The Beautiful” sung by Dreamers all around the US. It still gives me goosebumps thinking about it.
JBN.S: – If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?
JD: – Art has become undervalued (unbalanced) in our culture. This is represented in our education and funding.
JBN.S: – Who do you find yourself listening to these days?
JD: – I just listened to Miguel Zenon’s Yo Soy La Tradicion, featuring The Spektral Quartet. Brilliant music.
JBN.S: – Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go?
JD: – The multi-verse!
JBN.S: – I have been asking you so far, now may I have a question from yourself…
JD: – Sure, a question for you?
You ask such profound questions. What is your motivation for sharing these stories about music and musicians? What is your intention and purpose? It is a great service, thank you.
JBN.S: – So putting that all together, how are you able to harness that now?
JD: – 4 things: GRATITUDE, HUMILITY, INTEGRITY, NO EXPECTATION.
Interview by Simon Sargsyan
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