I try to stay up with the current trumpet scene and for that reason I ran across a phenomenal young player by the name of Jonathan Saraga. Most often when cruising the net I will hear a player who has great range and endurance but lacks ideas or technique. On other occasions I’ll run across a great improviser who unfortunately lacks chops or technique. In rare cases I stumble over a player who exhibits all of these abilities and I am in awe of their ability. This was the case when I listed to a young man from Manhattan, New York.
After a couple contacts, he agreed to share some of his thoughts with our readers. The product of our visits are recorded below. Some questions I asked were ones that may be of interest to our readers and some I was interested in him filling out a few questions I wanted to have answered.
My first impression of Mr. Saraga’s playing style was influenced by his musical contributions in a free jazz setting. I must admit I am not a strong follower or even a mild supporter of free jazz. My age I’m sure has something to do with those decisions. Yet, after hearing him fly through the areas of no form, I was impressed. To me, it was a contradiction of definition; the concept of free jazz as performed by Mr. Saraga. Even though he was playing in a free form venue, I recognized form in his solos.
This first experience of listen to Mr. Saraga was complicated as I listened to another example of his playing, this time in a straight ahead Bop setting. I knew I was listening to the same musician but was confused for this same musician was playing in a completely different setting with the same high level of musicianship. This is not a common occurrence in the trumpet world. Most players are well known in small circles of styles. After several more searches, I came to the conclusion that this trumpet player is comfortable in all settings and not only feels comfortable in various styles of music
but actually excelled in all of them.
As I continued to listen to even more recordings of this young man, I was reminded of another great musician and one of my favorite rock musicians, Jimi Hendrix. You may think it strange that a young trumpet player could be linked in any way with an early rock guitar player but to me they played in a very similar way. Both musicians were at one with their instrument. Hendrix performed as if the guitar was part of his soul and so also does Mr. Saraga. There is no hesitation between thought and execution. What the brain thinks, the body reacts instantly. When most musicians try to improvise (especially those who have graduated from college after taking Jazz Improvisation for one semester), they prattle on for many painful choruses repeating the same tired scales they learned in school which shows the listener that they had practiced their scales and learned nothing. In the case of Mr. Saraga, every note, phrase, dynamic, articulation and small nuance comes from his inner being and is effortlessly presented to his listeners with in a purely
creative performance.
I apologies for my over exuberance in regards to this musician but that’s how I feel and I’m sticking to it.
Now on with the interview.
Where did you go to school and was it helpful to your learning to play your horn?
“I went to SUNY Purchase (http://www.purchase.edu/), and absolutely yes it was helpful. I was around people who were incredibly motivated and passionate about playing music and jazz (thankfully). I was also around faculty who were as well, and really wanted to help us learn. I got to play a lot and if I wasn’t playing in a group, I was constantly either practicing, listening to or learning about music and how to get better because everyone around me was doing the same thing”.
If you had your choice of sidemen in your group, who would you want to play with?
“I would love to play my music with Eric Lewis on piano, Eric Harland on drums, and Boris Kozlov on bass”.
Who has been the biggest influence in your career?
“My first two trumpet teachers, John Lambert and Bill Dunn are absolutely my biggest influences. Without them I wouldn’t be able to play trumpet at all most likely, let alone,
be able to express myself through it. They have taught me so much about being a professional musician to playing the trumpet to everything in between. Every teacher I have had throughout school and programs I’ve attended have taught me something valuable that I can apply to my life. I’m constantly inspired by my friends and colleagues who are working hard to grow their careers as well. I also couldn’t be doing any of this without my parents support and encouragement which is invaluable”.
When did you start playing trumpet?
“6th grade, so, 11”.
Who has been the biggest influence in your style of improvisation?
“It’s hard to say; I think that some of my friends that I would practice, play and hang out with in college influenced my playing. It’s like the stories about players from the 50’s and 60’s or any period really, getting together and shedding (*wood shedding- term used for improving ones ability), and trying stuff out. I think that is really important for a player. Playing lots of different kinds of music with lots of different people is a huge contributor to how I play. Listening to music is a big one too, as well as checking out all different art forms. I don’t think any one artist has really defined my style; whatever touches me… that’s what influences me the most. John Coltrane, Igor Stravinsky, the LeBeouf Brothers”
I hope you have gained a little insight into the background of this gifted performer. In our next post Jonathan will share his thoughts of his performing style and his expectations of his career.
Meanwhile, you need to visit Jonathan’s Web Site to fully understand how talented this man is.
