Today, internationally-renowned jazz pianist and composer Jason Moran is a MacArthur genius, Artistic Director of Jazz at the Kennedy Center, and his visual art is currently on view at MCA Denver. Rewind forty years and Jason was a six-year-old growing up in Houston and begrudgingly beginning to take piano lessons. His attitude toward the piano changed its tune when he was thirteen and heard Thelonius Monk play for the first time, inspired by his game-changing melding of jazz and hip hop. Jason went on to attend New York’s Manhattan School of Music where his unconventional style and unwavering self-confidence challenged his teachers and bandmates, but today makes him a one-of-a-kind artist. In the final episode of How Art is Born season 1, Jason sits down with host R. Alan Brooks to discuss the history of Black music, parenthood as an artist, finding a tribe that appreciates what you want to bring to the table, and so much more.

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Hey! If you love How Art is Born, there’s another podcast that I think you should check out. It's called Off The Walls and it's all about the people and stories behind Denver's street art. In each episode, you'll meet artists, activists and other Denverites ... to explore some powerful murals around town ... and why they matter. Find Off The Walls from Denverite and Colorado Public Radio wherever you get podcasts!

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