By John Daversa
Welcome to The John Daversa Podcast, your go-to resource for exploring the magical interplay of life, music, and everything in between. Join us as we deep dive into thought-provoking conversations,
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The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.
Episode 11: A conversation with acclaimed singer, songwriter, (and gamer!), Michael Mayo
►Michael Mayo website: https://www.michaelmayomusic.com
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
2:51 – Musical upbringing and influences
5:40 – Learning about professionalism
8:08 –More about professionalism and boundaries: “2 strikes”. Know your worth.
12:00 – The “shed” mentality
14:20 – Practicing “Giant Steps” and the small, tiny details
19:04 – Being a singer in an instrumental world. (Proving “them” wrong).
23:56 – The voice has moods and the musical self has moods. Showing up for yourself.
26:00 – How to deliver notes with a positive spirit.
27:13 – Influential mentors and the Thelonious Monk/Herbie Hancock Institute. Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter (and the movie, The Langoliers).
36:49 – “Desert island” records and musical influences.
41:42 – Pandemic time, going “in the cave”.
43:00: Gaming and how it’s become a “shed” for music.
48:04: Exploring instruments you don’t play. “Sometimes it can be easier when you don’t have the chops”
49:05: New album!
51:05: Back home in L.A.
52:10: Where can people find you?
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video Capture and Editing: Max Nierlich
Audio Capture: Jake Sonderman and Dudley Merriam
Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, February 17, 2024
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#michaelmayo #jazzvocal #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast #jazzpodcast #jazzgaming
Support the show
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Episode 10: A conversation with jazz drummer, composer, educator, and entrepreneur, Ari Hoenig
►Ari Hoenig website: https://www.arihoenig.com
►Ari Hoenig Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/arihoenig#
►Ari Hoenig Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arihoenig/#
►Ari Hoenig YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/arihoenig#:~:text=Join%20Ari%20as%20he%20shares%20the%20knowledge%20and
Ari Hoenig is a jazz drummer, composer, and educator known for his unusual and intense approach to drumming emphasizing complex rhythms in direct harmony with other group members. Ari is widely noted particularly for his drumming not being relegated to just keeping tempo, or being a side issue to the music he plays in, but rather for elevating drumming as an indispensable part of the performance.
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
2:20 – Musical upbringing and influences
7:53 – Teaching practices and philosophies
12:47 –Why the drums?
18:00 – The decision to be a professional musician. Career day! “I wanna be a drummer”…or a “fruit visionary”.
23:50 – Going to North Texas…
30:28 – Composing
36:02 – How playing and composing influence each other
40:22 – Where does your dedication derive from?
44:40 – How do you approach new musical situations?
48:40 – Where can we find you?
49:31 – Ari Hoenig and John Daversa Duo !!
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video Editing: Max Nierlich
Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam
Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville
Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, February 19, 2024
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#arihoenig #jazzdrums #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast #jazzpodcast
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Support the show
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Episode 9: A conversation with Multi-Award Winning Artist, Educator, and Entrepreneur, Jazzmeia Horn
►Jazzmeia Horn website: https://www.artistryofjazzhorn.com
“Horn is among the most exciting young vocalists in jazz, with a proud traditionalism that keeps her tightly linkedto the sound of classic figures like Nancy Wilson and Betty Carter, but a vivacity of spirit and conviction that places her firmly in the present”
~The New York Times
~Jazzmeia’s mother
“What do you do with what you know how to do?
~Jazzmeia Horn
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
2:25 – The teacher mission
5:20 – Harriet Horn, Jazzmeia’s grandmother
8:51 –Musical beginnings in Dallas and the “peewee” choir
14:25 – Early experience with music school
19:55 – The move to New York City
25:43 – “Battle Scars”
32:40 – Bandleading styles (balancing feminine and masculine)
37:14 – Empress Legacy Records
44:33 – What’s next?
46:28 – The writing process (and Garage Band example)
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video Editing: Max Nierlich
Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam
Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville
Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, November 6, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#jazzmeiahorn #empresslegacyrecords #jazzvocal #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast
Support the show
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Episode 8: A conversation with Grammy Award winning bassist, composer, singer, bandleader, and producer, Ben Williams
►Ben Williams website: https://www.benwilliamsofficial.com
“What makes everybody special is that they are one of one. Nobody can do what you do, and you can’t do what anybody else does”.
~Ben Williams
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
2:16 – Growing up in D.C. and the origin story…
9:10 – Hearing how music connects with life and soul.
9:35 – How we listen to music differently now
15:35 – Listening to music within different roles.
18:50 - Spending time with Pat Metheny
21:47 – Mentors and heroes, Rodney Whitaker, Stefon Harris, David Sanborn
28:25 – What makes you “you” reflects in the music.
32:42 – The vulnerability of singing
33:18 - José James and “I am a Man”, and social consciousness.
40:10 – What it means when YOU HAVE TO DO “IT” “The Universe rewards solid decisions…the doors will start to open”.
45:10 – New York, moving to L.A., and the next step
51:52: Let’s play something
52:32: Ben Williams/John Daversa Duo
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video Editing: Max Nierlich
Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam
Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville
Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, October 27, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#benwilliams #jazzbass #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast
Support the show
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Episode 7 : A conversation with Grammy Award winning jazz singer, composer, and educator, Luciana Souza
►Luciana Souza website: https://www.lucianasouza.com
“My favorite thing to do is to listen”
~Luciana Souza
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
3:22 – Growing up in Brazilian musical culture
8:40 – Godfather, Hermeto Pascoal
11:38 – “the musician’s musician”.
14:13 – Dorival Caymmi
17:42 – Leaving space in the music
20:54 – Listening and reverence for nature
25:45 – Soul Confidence
29:48 – What’s the mission now?
32:34 – Everybody goes to samba school
34:14 – Trumpet players and singing
36:45 – Evolution from fear
37:57 – Protecting soul innocence and nurturing creative music
42:47 – Dafnis Prieto
45:00 – Scheduling the summer, feeding soul confidence, and following the seasons
51:36 – Connecting to the body
53:29: Writing from improvisation
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video Editing: Max Nierlich
Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam
Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville
Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Miami, FL, April, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#lucianasouza #johndaversapodcast #johndaversa
Support the show
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Episode 6: A conversation Sara Gazarek
►Sara Gazarek website: https://saragazarek.com
Born and raised in Seattle, WA, GRAMMY Award® winning jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek reigns as one of the most creative voices of her generation, and one “who may well turn out to be the next important jazz singer” (Los Angeles Times). Collaborating with jazz legends Fred Hersch, Billy Childs, Kurt Elling, and more, and with 6 critically-acclaimed albums under her belt at the age of 40, Gazarek often tours internationally as a soloist/band leader, and as a co-founder of the vocal collective, säje, whose debut album earned a GRAMMY Award® for Best Arrangement Instruments and Vocals. Sara is a 2023 Chamber Music of America New Jazz Works grant recipient, serves on the LA Chapter Board of Governors for the Recording Academy, and works as an Associate Professor of Jazz Voice at the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) where she is currently designing and leading their new jazz voice program. Sara’s full length nonet project, an expansion of her critically celebrated EP Vanity, is set to release in Fall of 2024.
Humanity is at the core of this artform, I am human, everyone is human. If I’m not embracing the spectrum of humanity, what am I doing with this genre that I’ve dedicated my life to?”
~Sara Gazarek
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
4:13 – Seattle, in the beginning…
5:48 – given permission to be myself/having respect for the music
7:40 – feeling embarrassed about “things I didn’t know”.
10:30 – “Even if I don’t know, I’m going to keep on going”. No imposter’s syndrome
13:25 – Launch of a career…
18:18 – Merit as currency
19:13 –“You can’t control why people write good or bad reviews” ~John Clayton
25:00 – “Everything I do, I throw 100% of myself into it”.
25:37 – No barriers to creative expression
29:19 – Being ok with what we can’t control
33:00 – säje
37:50 – Values and Intentions in music making
43:10 – Thirsty Ghost
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video Editing: Max Nierlich
Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam
Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville
Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Miami, FL, April, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#saragazarek #jazzvocal #sage
Support the show
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
Episode 5: A conversation with composer, Maria Schneider.
►Maria Schneider website: http://www.mariaschneider.com
In this episode with Multi-Grammy Winner, NEA Jazz Master, composer and musician advocate, Maria Schneider, we discuss her new “Decades” project, Bob Brookmeyer’s “tough love”, a mystical dream with Gil Evans, balancing preparation with letting go, and much more…
“When you do what you love, it telegraphs”.
~Maria Schneider
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
2:58 – “Life Stuff”…Taking care of the aging.
6:40 – The vinyl experience, Maria’s retrospective “Decades” project, and life pivot points
14:33 – Bob Brookmeyer ‘s “tough love”
16:29 – Balancing preparation and letting go, musical risk taking, and some astrology stuff.
27:00 – How do you know when a piece is finished?
28:38 – Doing what you love
30:55 –The insignificance and significance of a human being.
34:30 –Alchemy through music.
35:24 – How do you help someone to discover their greatness?
40:25 – Ivan Lins story
41:24 – Looking back at your musicand its evolution…
44:35: Visions and intuition
51:22: Following that “gut” feeling
57:40: A dream with Gil Evans
1:01:11: Fear of death
1:06:41: A lesson from David Bowie
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video Editing: Max Nierlich
Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam
Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville
Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Miami, FL, April 19, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#mariaschneider #mariaschneiderjazzorchestra #jazzcomposer #thejohndaversapodcast "johndaversa
Support the show
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
A conversation with violinist, Regina Carter.
►Regina Carter website: https://reginacarter.com
In this episode with MacArthur Fellow, Doris Duke Artist Award Winner, and Multi-Grammy Nominee, violinist, Regina Carter, we discuss mentorship, sisterhood, setting boundaries, and a new horizon as an end-of-life doula (and more...)
"Dying is about as real as it gets!"
~Regina Carter
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
2:46 - Regina’s mother, Grace Carter
8:32 - Yehudi Menuhin
9:12 - The responsibility of being a role model
12:03 - Musical influences, Detroit and beyond
21:26 - Getting permission to say “no”
24:27 - Setting boundaries
26:15 - Mentors and sisterhood
31:01 - Wynton Marsalis
33:47 - Freedom
36:52 - Training to be an End-of-Life Doula
43:52 - Thank you! Following instincts…
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL, February 20, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#reginacarter #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast #jazzcomposer #jazztrumpet #jazzviolinist #jazzviolin #violin #violinist
Support the show
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
A conversation with Gonzalo Rubalcaba
►Gonzalo Rubalcaba website: https://www.gonzalorubalcaba.com
In this episode with multi-Grammy© Winner, pianist and composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba, we discuss Tempo and Tiempo, Dedication and Intention, Mentorship and Responsibility, the guidance of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Haden, and much more...
“The concert is the moment of joy, the work is behind that”
~Gonzalo Rubalcaba
►Key Moments
0:00 Introductions
3:56 Tempo and Time (tiempo), and family influence
15:08 Superman, Flash, and “Timelessness”
17:00 Connect, take your time: It’s not the tempo, it’s the message
19:07 Spaces of separation and unity
19:38 Dizzy Gillespie stories and insights
24:19 Sound, intention, and unique, personal touch
33:03 Dedication to practice. “The concert is the moment of joy, the work is behind that”
37:46 Charlie Haden and Dizzy Gillespie’s mentorship and friendship—the responsibility of returning the gift.
55:30 Recognizing when to watch and listen, and that’s it, “There’s nothing to do”.
56:52 Advice for the “little” Gonzalo: “Carefully, but do it again".
59:03 What is talent?
01:01:49 Gonzalo’s mother’s guidance
01:04:40 Thank you for lowering all of our heartbeats, Gonzalo (Flash)!
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL, February 15, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast",
composed and arranged by John Daversa
"45",
composed by Jay Daversa
arranged by John Daversa
From Cuarentena: With Family at Home
"Junk Wagon"
composed and arranged by John Daversa
From Junk Wagon: The Big Band Album
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#gonzalorubalcaba #latinjazz #jazzpiano #johndaversapodcast #jazzcomposer
Support the show
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
A conversation with Dick Oatts and Terell Stafford.
►Dick Oatts website: http://www.dickoattsmusic.com
►Terell Stafford website: https://terellstafford.com
In this episode with Vanguard Jazz Orchestra veterans, Dick Oatts and Terell Stafford, we discuss "tough love", inspiration, dedication, moms, and the "New York standard", (and much more...)
"Why don't you say "yes" and watch what happens. There's inspiration everywhere you look!" -Dick Oatts
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Intro
1:32 – Dedication, discipline, routine, and the “New York standard”.
10:11 – Humility, Integrity, and Service.
13:51 – When Terell joined the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra…
16:30 – When challenges push us…and Moms are the best!
20:27 – When Dick met Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, and Mel Lewis
23:40 – How committed are you?
25:22 – “Bud” Herseth, “the world’s greatest trumpet player”
30:44 – “Strength equals weakness. Weakness equals strength” (Arnold Jacobs)
31:40 – Clark Terry
36:45 –The next generation of students
44:09 – “Art Blakey was a mirror”…
46:18 – “The farther you go forward, the father you gotta go backwards”
48:36 – You gotta hear Dick Oatts!
50:29: Jon Faddis’ tough love
52:44: Closing
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL, February 11, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#dickoatts #terellstafford #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast #jazzcomposer #jazztrumpet #jazzsaxophone #vanguardjazzorchestra
Support the show
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Marcus Sasseville: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.