DanMichael Reyes

DanMichael Reyes is a graduating senior at New York's New School For Jazz and Contemporary Music. I was first exposed to jazz when I looked at the liner notes of Mos Def's album Black On Both Sides and noticed that a producer sampled a track from a pianist named Bill Evans. I met drummer Joe LaBarbera through my teacher Markus Burger who set up a recording session with me and Mr. LaBarbera. I was so nervous that I couldn't play a damn thing. I have never heard the tune that I recorded that day and don't wish to listen to it. It was a great learning experience about professionalism and preparedness. The best show I ever attended was a concert with Brad Mehldau playing solo piano, McCoy Tyner, and Ellis Marsalis three days after I turned 19. The first jazz record I bought was Waltz For Debby by Bill Evans My advice to new listeners. The idiom referred to as Jazz is a language and musical expression that encompasses New Orleans Brass Bands to Avant Garde extended techniques. Somewhere in the middle of that spectrum you'll find a tempo and a groove that swings right for you and when you do, don't let anyone ever tell you what this music is and what it ain't. Can't we all just get along?