NYU Jazz Interview Series

Dave Schroeder, Host
Director NYU Jazz & Studies

As the director of jazz studies at NYU Steinhardt I oversee a thriving jazz studies program in New York City. I am constantly surrounded by students and artist/faculty that invariably end up holding court in my office to discuss their musical experiences. Anyone who has visited my Lafayette Street office would compare the musician traffic to that of Grand Central Station. With the constant flow of musicians moving in an out, my days are filled with conversations that range from casual to profound. The NYU Steinhardt Jazz Series at Barnes and Noble developed as an outgrowth of my daily interaction with musicians. The series has developed into an open exchange of knowledge for anyone interested in understanding the musician’s process and the human side of being a jazz artist. With the start of the series last fall, audiences have been thrilled to interact with legendary jazz artists up close and personal.

Legendary jazz artist Jack DeJohnette addresses the audience.

Imagine listening to Jack DeJohnette describing his first experiences moving to New York City by tossing his case-less drums under a Greyhound Bus and having to find a crash pad once he arrived in the City. Or, Benny Golson recounting the time he and his fellow young schoolmate John Coltrane decided to check out the jazz scene in Harlem. Traveling from Philly only to be disappointed that no musicians were to be found. As they decided to return to home, they spot Thelonious Monk headed straight for them. Monk looks at them saying sternly, “you boys are too young to be hanging out of the street, get yourself home right now.” These stories and more from such diverse jazz artists as Steve Kuhn, Wayne Krantz, Kenny Werner, Ron Carter, and Chico Hamilton have made Barnes and Noble the place to be on Friday nights.

2010 Winter/Spring Season:
Oregon
Lionel Loueke
Chris Potter
Dave Holland
Stefon Harris
Medeski, Martin & Wood
Cindy Blackman
Combo Nuvo

2009 Season:
Steve Kuhn (Watch)
John Abercrombie (Watch)
Wayne Krantz
Gil Goldstein
Ron Carter
Julian Lage (Watch)
Lenny Pickett (Watch)
Benny Golson (Watch)
George Garzone
Chico Hamilton (Watch)
Jack DeJohnette (Watch)
Christian McBride
Kenny Werner

The NYU Steinhardt Jazz Interview Series is conducted at the Barnes & Noble store located at 150 East 86th Street @ Lexington Ave in New York City (212-369-2180). The series is produced by Dave Schroeder and Jazz Online. For more information email: thejazzonline at gmail dotcom.