David Bernot

I love jazz because, it is an opportunity to express emotions spontaneously through music. Jazz music and improvisation is an art from that has a rich lineage and continues to be innovated today. I was first exposed to jazz in my middle school jazz band. I didn't know anything about the music at the time, but I enjoyed playing and listening to the older school bands. Eventually I fell in love with the playing of Michael Brecker, which inspired me to work hard on the saxophone and jazz music. I met Lee Konitz in high school. I've met other important jazz musicians since then, but getting to play with a living jazz legend at such a young age was an opportunity I don't take for granted. The first jazz record I bought was digital. It was the Brecker Brothers album "Heavy Metal Bebop" Hearing the trumpet and saxophone with effects pedals blew my mind. I thought each song had several guitar solos when I first listened. My advice to new listeners... If you're learning to play, listen as much as you can! There is no other way to truly learn this music. If you're a fan, please try to listen to new musicians. There's so much great new music coming out all the time that deserves recognition.