by Hadley Snell
Benjamin Dannug (Troy, MI) and Aidan Borbiev (Fort Wayne, IN) performing jazz
Table of Contents:
Introduction
When you hear the word ‘jazz’, what do you think of? Trumpets and saxophones? Syncopated rhythms and impromptu solos? Whether you imagine a genre of exciting improvisation or calming background music for studying, jazz has been a multi-faceted, ever-changing force in music for much of American history. Unfortunately, a lot of its depth is left unexplored by the average American, and even by many musicians. Guilty of generalizing jazz myself, I decided to interview two Da Capo members who are active jazz pianists to hear what they have to say about jazz, what their perspectives are on the evolution of the genre, and why they think jazz is still important to our society today.
As with anything in life, many passions tend to originate from a single seed, planted and nurtured until it grows into something greater. For Benjamin Dannug, member of the Troy, MI chapter, this seed was planted in his musical upbringing. “All of my first inspirations came from my two older brothers - from watching the oldest brother playing in our high school’s drumline and watching my brother take a solo in our high school’s jazz band.” Despite the pandemic that occurred during his first two years of high school, he went on to join his high school’s jazz band junior year. Aidan Borbiev, member of the Fort Wayne chapter, had a similar introduction to jazz. Although his first year in jazz band began in seventh grade, he reflects how “it was only really until 8th grade that I started taking jazz improvisation more seriously, and I started getting much better at both”. From there, both musicians went on to get gigs around their local communities, finding joy and excitement in sharing the genre while also gaining experience along the way.
One of the things I was most curious to ask about was their perceptions on jazz ‘stereotypes’ that exist in the world today. While some may consider it a ‘dying art’, others might consider it ‘overrated’, and still others could have a completely different perspective. To find out what their thoughts were concerning outside opinions on jazz, I asked Benjamin and Aidan what the most underrated and overrated aspects of jazz were. Both of them come from backgrounds in classical piano, and I found that they both shared an appreciation for the freedom that jazz offers. “Because there are less “restrictions” (like not using sheet music, or only using the chord changes, etc) there’s a lot more options that are “correct” when playing,” says Benjamin. “That opens up the opportunity for the musicians playing to make organic, unscripted musical choices that play off of each other, that cater to the energy of the listener and invite them to actively engage in the conversation.” Aidan had a similar response, saying that the most underrated thing about jazz is “just how fun it is.” He goes on to say, “When I was primarily a classical musician, it became very tedious and just unenjoyable to keep working on passages and cleaning up lines. I also was a little irritated by the fact that everything was supposed to be played in an exact way and there was little room for interpretation. Jazz, on the other hand, is all about interpretation, and jazz improvisation is composing on the spot while you are playing. I see it as a much more creative process and I enjoy the freedom it presents. There is something very fulfilling and freeing about improvisation, especially with other people.”
People, certainly, are one of the most key factors when it comes to jazz. “It doesn’t matter if it’s jazz or rock or anything else, all that matters is there’s an audience that appreciates the music,” says Aidan. This audience has as much shaped the genre as the genre has shaped itself. “It only continues to evolve,” comments Benjamin, “in the jam sessions, live sets, and festivals of big cities - while continuing to pay respects and appreciate the history of where it came from.” So, whether you’re an active jazz musician or just a casual listener, it’s clear that your ears are part of why jazz has become what it is. Music is made to be heard, and by listening to it, we all contribute to this dynamic cultural community.
To finish up, I wanted to hear Aidan and Benjamin’s advice to any aspirational jazz musicians. “My advice would be to start listening and find someone you really like, and at the same time to start playing,” says Aidan. “It is going to sound terrible trying to solo for the first time, but it is part of the process. Improvisation is tough to learn, but if you just keep playing, things will start to make sense.” Benjamin was on the same page, agreeing that listening was the best way to get into jazz. “Chances are, if you give just a little bit more time, or search just a little longer, you’ll find something you like. Find the subgenre that works for you.” Of course, when asked for their favorite composers and pieces, both had long lists of recommendations. From Count Basie’s Orchestra to pianist Bill Evans, “All the Things You Are” to “On the Sunny Side of the Street”, and a myriad of other names and numbers too numerous to include, one thing was obvious: jazz is a vast and boundless genre that continues to reinvent itself over and over again. So, the next time you hear the word ‘jazz’, I hope you find a new meaning in it, because if I learned anything from these interviews, it’s that jazz isn’t just a genre: it's a musical language of inspiration, conversation, and interpretation that we can all take part in, together.
Benjamin Dannug (Troy, MI)
Favorite composer
Tough one, I’m torn between three of my favorite pianists! Bill Evans, Hiromi and Martha Kato- all great jazz composers, arrangers, and performers. Hiromi and Martha Kato are both amazing modern jazz pianists, and Bill Evans is and will forever be my favorite jazz great.
Favorite piece
I would have to say “All the Things You Are” is my favorite jazz standard- so many interesting things you can do with it, in all areas of jazz (gigs, jam sessions, recording sessions, etc)- it’s harmonically interesting enough to keep a listener engaged, and the “head” (main melody) is freeing enough to be able to interpret, and even change, the rhythm and time signature of the tune. Great standard to learn!
Most underrated thing abt jazz
The most underrated thing in jazz- in my humble opinion- is the free conversation you get to have. Because there are less “restrictions” (like not using sheet music, or only using the chord changes, etc) there’s a lot more options that are “correct” when playing. That opens up the opportunity for the musicians playing to make organic, unscripted musical choices that play off of each other, that cater to the energy of the listener and invite them to actively engage in the conversation.
This sort of creative freedom can sometimes seem daunting, but the conversation proves that without adhering to what some might consider “incorrect” from a classical standpoint, one can still make music without delving into anarchy. In essence, jazz represents a democracy and freedom in a musical sense, which has cultivated a very rich culture that in some ways (from a pop culture standpoint) is underground, a culture to be “rediscovered” or “revived”- when in reality, the conversation never stopped.
It only continues to evolve- in the jam sessions, live sets, and festivals of big cities- while continuing to pay respects and appreciate the history of where it came from.
Most overrated thing abt jazz
Another tough question- I feel like there’s a lot of “serious” overgeneralizations/cliches being made about jazz, that I’ve witnessed jazz musicians delicately push back against (ie: the belief that jazz is dead, or that the jazz musicians are gatekeeping the music, or that jazz can be “whatever you want to it to be”), but I’m not going to address those misconceptions. I’ll leave it up to the current greats on the scene to speak to those- Adam Neely and Patrick Bartley (and many others) speak very eloquently to those cliches. Check out their YouTube Channels (Adam Neely’s video “Is Laufey Jazz?” is a helpful and respectful perspective!)
However, something that’s a tad bit overrated to me personally is the idea that there are no “wrong notes”- or as a friend once put it “it’s impossible to play bad jazz, since you can just play wrong notes and sound fine!” This sentiment (I’ve noticed) came from my classical musician peers wanting to joke around- and no hard feelings! It’s funny! Sure, jazz utilizes more complex and rich harmony than found in most other music, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a wrong way to play the music. There are “stronger” and “weaker” decisions one can make in various contexts of the different subgenera in jazz, but the nuance is sometimes lost on people.
When did you start loving jazz / was there anyone who sparked your interest in jazz?
I grew up in a musical family- we all play an instrument, and growing up, I would play classical piano from age 5, and percussion since I was 10. All of my first inspirations came from my two older brothers- from watching the oldest brother playing in our high school’s drumline and watching my brother take a solo in our high school’s jazz band. I planned since middle school to try out for the jazz band in high school, but that dream died in the pandemic and stayed forgotten through sophomore year.
Fortunately, I tried out and reignited my passion for jazz in junior year! My main inspiration then was Shane Karas, a friend and an amazing tenor sax player in the band at the time who invited me to my first jam session, where I met Jacob Hart, an amazing jazz pianist and role model for me. Shane was featured on my first EP release, and because of his and Jacob’s inspiration, I was taking lessons a few months later, getting out to jams, meeting mentors and friends, and pretty soon started getting gigs! It’s been a really fun journey so far, and I’m excited to see where it leads me next.
What do you think is the most important role jazz plays in the world?
Jazz shows us the importance of our voices. I was once told by a mentor that even if I copy everything one of the greats does, from their approach to music down to the notes they chose to play, “you will never become them, nor should you want to”. He emphasized that the liberties of jazz demanded that I find my own voice- that, even when drawing inspirations from the greats, my creative decisions are my own. That sort of taking ownership of one’s own voice is what makes jazz an important culture and music in the world- it’s the democracy in which everyone has the opportunity to speak their piece, should they chose to take it. And that’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to seek out (and refine) your unique sound. It’s democracy, connection and growth in music.
If anyone is interested in getting into jazz, what advice would you give them?
I remember one specific time last year, when one of my friends- a skilled tenor player- told me he “didn’t like jazz… Like- it’s weird. And for old people. I don’t know why someone would pay you to play that”- and he was genuinely confused! I laughed and after asking a couple clarifying questions, learned he had listened to only 2 minutes of what one of my mentors likes to call “a blazin’ tune”- a fast, vibrant, blaring, blazing song. To his ears, without context, he only hear dissonance upon dissonance, clash after clash. So I invited him to listen to Chet Baker’s “Just Friends” with me, and to his surprise, he heard a softer, more gentle song to his liking. It was a small moment, and I’ve similar experiences prior and since then- and from those experiences I found that the reason most, if not all, of my peers didn’t like jazz was because they didn’t relate to the thing they listened to.
So, if you’re looking to get into jazz, keep listening. Chances are, if you give just a little bit more time, or search just a little longer, you’ll find something you like. Find the subgenre that works for you. If it’s big band, check out Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band or Count Basie’s Orchestra. If it’s cool jazz, check out Miles Davis or Chet Baker. If you’re into vocal jazz, check out Samara Joy, Ella Fitzgerald, Sinatra, or Loius Armstrong. If you’re a pianist, definitely listen to Hiromi, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Chihiro Yamanaka- and so many more. If you want to play on the scene, go to the nearest jam session and learn some jazz standards to play there. Also, make connections with people already on the scene- they’ll be more than happy to show you the ropes! Moral of the story, is that jazz has so much to offer you, whatever your interests are, so keep searching until something fits.
Explore Benjamin's music here: https://www.instagram.com/benjamindannugmusic/
Aidan Borbiev (Fort Wayne, IN)
Favorite composer
There’s too many to choose from but there are a few that stand out to me. To name a few, one I really like is Jacob Collier. He arranges and writes his own music and he is known for his intricate use of harmony and for bringing complex jazz harmony to popular and mainstream music. I also really like the arrangements of John Clayton. He’s a bass player from the late 20th century. I also really like the arrangements that Sammy Nestico did for big band, especially his count Basie arrangements. Vulfpeck is another one that stands out. Vulfpeck is a funk, rock, jazz fusion group that is incredibly groovy. Another favorite is also Esperanza Spalding who is an all around astounding person. She speaks multiple languages and plays many different styles of jazz (she is a bass player, singer). Of course, this is only to name a few of my favorites.
Favorite piece
The answer to this question changes a lot. If we are to talk mainly jazz, right now I’m listening to a lot of bossa. A tune I keep coming back to right now though would be “Wave” by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Another favorite is a tune called “Crazy Race” which the Carroll jazz combo played for a few festivals. This is more in the style of funk however. Another one I really like is Ms. Purty by Cory Henry which I have been working on transcribing for some time. It has crazy out lines and really intricate harmony…and it is also Cory Henry and any jazz pianist will understand what I mean by that. Also, I could name the classics like “on the sunny side of the street” or “giant steps” and as for big band tunes, just anything from the count Basie jazz orchestra.
Most underrated thing abt jazz
Probably just how fun it is. When I was primarily a classical musician, it became very tedious and just unenjoyable to keep working on passages and cleaning up lines. I also was a little irritated by the fact that everything was supposed to be played in an exact way and there was little room for interpretation. Jazz on the other hand is all about interpretation, and jazz improvisation is composing on the spot while you are playing. I see it as a much more creative process and I enjoy the freedom it presents. There is something very fulfilling and freeing about improvisation, especially with other people.
Most overrated thing abt jazz
Probably its popularity in modern society. Not many people listen to jazz anymore. The common trope is that jazz is something that’s cool and hip. While I would agree with that, there aren’t many others that would agree and it has a small audience compared to other, more popular genres. With that being said, there are some popular music stars that are reviving jazz as a genre such as Laufey or Jacob Collier.
When did you start loving jazz / was there anyone who sparked your interest in jazz?
I joined the 7th grade jazz band since I thought it was a more advanced class and I was already pretty confident in my piano skills. I played pretty well my 7th grade year but it was only really until 8th grade that I started taking jazz improvisation more seriously and I started getting much better at both. This may have been because I started getting gigs around Fort Wayne to play jazz piano. It really helped that our teacher gave me a lot of feature piano pieces during the year. From there I just fell in love with the genre and moving into Carroll Jazz No.1 as a freshman, I was just getting started.
What do you think is the most important role jazz plays in the world?
I think any music plays an important role in the world today. It doesn’t matter if it’s jazz or rock or anything else, all that matters is there’s an audience that appreciates the music. It would be silly to say that there was an underlying role that jazz played because to some people, they don’t see that role, but that’s the same with any type of music. All music plays an important role in the world and what matters is that there is an audience to appreciate it.
If anyone is interested in getting into jazz, what advice would you give them?
My advice would be to start listening and find someone you really like, and at the same time to start playing. It is going to sound terrible trying to solo for the first time, but it is part of the process. Improvisation is tough to learn but if you just keep playing, things will start to make sense. And also find music out of the genre that you love.