Critically acclaimed American pianist and composer Aaron Diehl deftly traverses the jazz and classical worlds. The GRAMMY nominated artist discusses the music of his childhood (Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, and Johann Sebastian Bach), early performances on stage at his family's church, and how he learned to play "Deck the Halls" on the piano at age 5. He tells David why loosening up in his music playing is vital yet still scary and how a summer at Interlochen was a turning point in his musicianship. Aaron recounts how after winning the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington competition he nearly turned down a European Tour at age 17 with Wynton Marsalis (thank goodness he didn't!!), what he learned through that experience, and why enrolling at The Juilliard School was a gift after this education on the road. To close it out Aaron describes how his life as a pilot mimics his performances on stage.

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Photograph of Aaron Diehl by Evelyn Freja.

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. 

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

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