In this episode, Monica talks and plays with saxophonist, bandleader, and composer, Sharel Cassity at the Blue Note in NYC. They talk about how important it is to connect and have a message that you can give to people, her journey from growing up in OK, moving to NYC, teaching in Qatar, doing it all in Chicago (including starting the non-profit Jazz Up) and now being the Director of Jazz at the University of Virginia. They discuss how losing touch with yourself can cause the art to suffer, removing the voice in your head that is constantly judging what you do, and how having no plan and following the music has allowed some of the best things to happen. They talk vulnerability in life and playing, about her latest album, Gratitude, what we write songs about, and liking what we do and how we do it.

https://www.sharelcassity.com

https://www.instagram.com/shah_relle

https://www.facebook.com/sharelc

https://music.virginia.edu/people/sharel-cassity

https://www.jazzupinstitute.com

This is episode 10 in the Creative Residency series, "Here, There, and Everywhere" where Monica talks and plays saxophone with 18 fellow jazz instrumentalist bandleaders who are women. This series is made possible by the Jazz Road Creative Residency grant organized by South Arts with support from the Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation.

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Brave Musician® is a space for all musicians to share their stories and talk about what it means to be a human making music.

Created and facilitated by saxophonist, composer, visual artist, and bandleader Monica Shriver, Brave Musician® includes the Brave Musician® Podcast, various resources for creative confidence and artistic/personal development, and opportunities within the community to connect and support.

https://monicashriver.com/bravemusician