John Daversa Podcast

Episode 20: Whit Sidener  Featuring legendary jazz educator and multi-woodwind artist Whit Sidener, this episode highlights a remarkable career that bridges elite performance and transformative education. A seasoned saxophonist and woodwind specialist, Sidener has performed and recorded with iconic artists including Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and the Bee Gees, bringing a deep well of real-wo...

Episode 19:  Pete Christlieb is a legendary saxophonist whose powerful sound and fearless improvisation continue to shape both jazz and commercial music. He rose to international prominence as a longtime featured soloist with the Doc Severinsen–led Tonight Show Band, where his commanding tenor voice and electrifying presence became instantly recognizable. Christlieb’s recording legacy includes som...

Episode 18: Sean Jones ►about Sean Jones: https://peabody.jhu.edu/faculty/sean-jones/ Book References: The War of Art, Steven Pressfield A Return to Love, Marrianne Williamson Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, Dr. Joy DeGruy The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle Quotes: “Eternity is in love with the creations of time” ~William Blake “Many are called, but few are chosen”. ”My teac...

Episode 17: Dr. Marshall Hawkins Idyllwild Arts Academy Jazz Program Founder, Bassist with Richie Cole, Miles Davis Quintet, Betty Gray, Donny Hathaway, Lena Horne, Roberta Flack, Manhattan Transfer, and more… ►about Dr. Hawkins: https://idyllwildarts.org/people/marshall-hawkins/ Selected quotes from our podcast: ·      “Pay attention to your subject matter. Your subject matter is your life” ·   ...

Episode 16: Michel Camilo, Grammy, Latin Grammy, and Emmy Winning Pianist, Composer, and Bandleader ►Michel Camilo website: https://www.michelcamilo.com ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:28: Attention to detail and standards of excellence, and learning never ends 8:05: Where does the motivation come from? 9:40: Refusing mediocrity 12:10: Magnetism and engaging the audience 15:05: Creative flow,...

Episode 15: Anat Cohen: Grammy-Nominated Clarinetist, Saxophonist & Composer ►Anat Cohen website: https://www.anatcohen.com ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:32: A discussion about collaboration and bandleading 8:00: the challenges of the “hang” 10:30: Listening to your own recordings through other’s ears. 14:35: The possibility of a solo clarinet album! 20:45: The vulnerability of playing...

Episode 14: Grammy-Award Winning Multi-Instrumentalist, Producer, Composer, and Music Icon, Marcus Miller ►Marcus Miller website: https://www.marcusmiller.com ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:49: John’s “Fat Time” car accident story 3:21: Producing Miles Davis’ Tutu , Siesta , and Amandla and more… 19:40: The bass clarinet 23:20: Miles Davis mentorship 33:55: The recording of Grover Washington...

Episode 13: Jeff Babko, Keyboardist, Musical Director, Producer, Composer, Arranger, (Jimmy Kimmel, Toto, James Taylor, Steve Gadd, Sheryl Crow, Martin Short, and more!) ►Jeff Babko website: https://www.jeffbabko.com ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:56: Back at University of Miami 4:26: Vinyl collection 6:06: How do manage consuming music? 10:55: 1990’s Jazz fusion, the young lions, and the gi...

Episode 12: A conversation with renowned jazz artist and educator, Bob Sheppard ►Bob Sheppard website: https://www.bobsheppard.net ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Introductions 1:33 – Playing with the JD Big Band 2:15 – Bob’s studio and cultivating a creative community in Los Angeles 14:15 –Being on the scene, practicing, merit, and the social scene… 27:50 – Thoughts and observations about practicing 37:15 –...

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”...

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 jaz...

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 f...

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...

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 – Leavin...

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,...

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...

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 Mom...

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” ~Gon...

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 &quo...

Jihye Lee, Brooklyn-based composer, arranger, and conductor. ►Jihye Lee website: https://jihyemusic.com In this episode with composer, Jiyhe Lee, we discuss culture shock, inner strength, love of big band music, K-pop, and more! ►Key Moments: 0:00 - Intro 2:45 - Musical Values, Intentions, and Inspirations 5:48 - Jihye’s mission 9:12 - Positivity, Inner Strength, and the Game of New Worlds 12:51 -...