122: Jazz Giant

Change Your Story, Change Your Life

JAZZ IS LIFE

Jazz is not a mainstream art form. Jazz musicians practice for thousands of hours honing their craft. When they improvise, it is the dance between the heart and the mind that creates the magic. A strong foundation is essential, and that is built by mental skills sharpened by diligent practice.

Today’s guest is Pat LaBarbera, an internationally known jazz giant. According to Elvin Jones, “Pat has tremendous musical ability beyond technical facility. He has great power of concentration to detail and is totally committed with body and soul.” Pat LaBarbera’s life is music and what sweet music it is!

Pat LaBarbera is a saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist, composer, and jazz educator. He is well-known for his solo work with the bands of Louis Bellson, Woody Herman, and the Buddy Rich Band.

Pat has played on every major network television show including The Ed Sullivan Show and Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show several times. He has worked with the biggest entertainers in the business including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Corea, Woody Shaw, and McCoy Tyner.

He has performed and recorded consistently with Elvin Jones since 1975 and rejoined Elvin Jones’ ‘Time Machine’ in 2001. His album, Deep in a Dream, won the 2000 Juno Award for Best Mainstream Jazz Album.

Listen to get a peek into the life of a jazz giant. You’ll be entertained and enriched by what you discover. Here are just a few stops on the journey:

• How Pat’s father influenced him into pursuing music
• Is Jazz considered as outsiders’ music?
• Jazz – for listening or for dancing?
• Music as a form of intense personal expression
• Was there racial division in jazz?
• Gaining respect in the jazz industry
• Toronto-based jazz musicians
• Teaching music and moving the music forward
• Are today’s jazz students different than before?
• Pat’s upcoming CD

QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE

“Some people really listen to music for what’s going on harmonically, if there’s a meaning or message behind it. Other people just listen with their feet.”

“You basically gain respect by performance.”

“Teaching music is like having tentacles that are out there searching and giving you all the latest input on what’s going on and what’s current in the music scene.”

“The most beneficial thing is trying to get together with guys and play.”

“The interaction with other musician is the one thing that you can’t practice in a practice room.”

BOOKS IN THIS PODCAST

Mark Twain’s Own Autobiography by Mark Twain

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

Stan Getz: A Life in Jazz by Donald L Maggin

PAT’S FAVORITE QUOTE

“Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better.” – Émile Coué

CONTACT PAT

Pat LaBarBera on Facebook

LINKS AND RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Pat LaBarbera on Humber College
Pat LaBarbera Biography and Discography
Both Directions At Once: The Lost Album
Audible