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James Aren

After years of searching, it turns out my best instrument has always been the stereo.

About Me

Reading Spin Magazine religiously for R.E.M. and Robyn Hitchcock info, I turned the page one day and saw Miles Davis staring at me. The intensity of the photographs jumped off the page. On the next weekly trip to the record store, I left the indie rock aisle behind. First, I listened to every era of Miles. I followed many of the branches of the MD tree. Then I slipped into Theolonis Monk and the wonderful chaos of Charles Mingus. I listened to Charlie Haden and the Liberation Music Orchestra, Sun Ra and his Arkestra. Each new direction took me for a ride.

I started listening to Detroit’s Public Radio Station: WDET and the long-time jazz master Ed Love. He was my substitute for a music history degree. Before, during, and after college, I was the only tow truck driver in Detroit listening to Jazz on public radio. Then while working for the student newspaper, we shared a building with WDET. Detroit trumpet legend Marcus Belgrave used to hang out in our offices when Mr. Love couldn’t let him in the studio anymore (administrators all the same, right?)

I’ve dabbled in music since I was seven years old. Sometimes playing, always listening. I never did any task without picking the music first. My father used to tease me because I couldn’t drive a car if the radio didn’t work. I was a proud participant of Generation Walkman, later Discman, then iPod, now Bluetooth.

Now I am an English teacher and an amateur music therapist. Education is a tough racket for teachers and students alike and most days can only be endured with the correct soundtrack. The playlist is more important than the lesson plan. In my room, it’s always jazz, Motown, or funk, with an occasional atmospheric indie rock thrown in. I’ve gotten pretty good at reading the room and filling the musical prescription. Feeling down, take this Sly and the Family. Too jumpy, how about some Stan Getz or Bill Evans?

Whether diving into a great song for the thousandth time or finding something brand new, nothing beats musical discoveries. I deeply admire anyone who can put something new into the world. All of my favorite music, regardless of genre, shares a relentless ambition to do something unique.

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it keeps me guessing. I was first exposed to jazz on those crazy movies and shows from 1960s. Later, the Ed Love program on WDET, Detroit’s National Public Radio, provided a great education in all aspects of jazz history.