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Jazz 21 Fuses Diversity with Talent to Create a Unique Sound
The five people that make up the Plano-based band Jazz 21 are as different as their musical genre. Jazz unites distinctive melodies, rhythms, and harmonies to create a unique song, as the group members bring their diverse experience and talents to craft a continuously evolving sound.
Jazz 21 n named by leader Warren Rubin because their sound appeals to people older than 21 n consists of a traffic reporter, a teacher for the visually impaired, a rock musician turned music teacher, retired businessman turned student, and a lifelong musician who left New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. They range in age from 30 to 80 and live all across North Texas.
Rubin formed Jazz 21 about one year ago because he wanted an avenue to fuse his piano skills and love for different jazz sounds. The band plays straight-ahead jazz, often with a twist of Latin. They cover standard favorites such as “Route 66" and “Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?"
With group members living as far as Waxahachie and Greenville, Jazz 21 practices a couple times every month and has done about 10 performances. Each band member practices on their own, and enjoys perfecting their craft.
“[Jazz 21] is not going to be a touring group, it's not going to be any big high-powered group, and we're not going to play any of the big high-powered clubs in Dallas," Rubin said. “It's a hobby for all of us."
Rubin is a lifelong musician, but he spent his professional career in the kitchen cabinet manufacturing industry. Recently he has gravitated toward education, and he graduated earlier this month with a master's degree in special education from the University of North Texas. He will soon begin working on a doctorate degree and begin teaching at a charter school.
Rubin met singer Merv Ginsburg through his synagogue, where he sang in a choir. Ginsburg was a lifelong resident of New Orleans, where he grew up performing jazz and listening to its greats. Legendary trumpeter Louis Armstrong worked for Ginsburg's father at one time, and the Jazz 21 singer has fond memories of meeting him as a child.
“Growing up in New Orleans, I grew up in a jazz area," Ginsburg said. “I was singing jazz and blues all my life, and it continues."
Ginsburg left New Orleans and moved to Plano about two years ago to be near his daughter. The damage that Hurricane Katrina ravaged on his hometown convinced him it was time to move on.
“It was something that broke the camel's back, and we were not forced [to move], fortunately," he said.
Jazz 21 n named by leader Warren Rubin because their sound appeals to people older than 21 n consists of a traffic reporter, a teacher for the visually impaired, a rock musician turned music teacher, retired businessman turned student, and a lifelong musician who left New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. They range in age from 30 to 80 and live all across North Texas.
Rubin formed Jazz 21 about one year ago because he wanted an avenue to fuse his piano skills and love for different jazz sounds. The band plays straight-ahead jazz, often with a twist of Latin. They cover standard favorites such as “Route 66" and “Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?"
With group members living as far as Waxahachie and Greenville, Jazz 21 practices a couple times every month and has done about 10 performances. Each band member practices on their own, and enjoys perfecting their craft.
“[Jazz 21] is not going to be a touring group, it's not going to be any big high-powered group, and we're not going to play any of the big high-powered clubs in Dallas," Rubin said. “It's a hobby for all of us."
Rubin is a lifelong musician, but he spent his professional career in the kitchen cabinet manufacturing industry. Recently he has gravitated toward education, and he graduated earlier this month with a master's degree in special education from the University of North Texas. He will soon begin working on a doctorate degree and begin teaching at a charter school.
Rubin met singer Merv Ginsburg through his synagogue, where he sang in a choir. Ginsburg was a lifelong resident of New Orleans, where he grew up performing jazz and listening to its greats. Legendary trumpeter Louis Armstrong worked for Ginsburg's father at one time, and the Jazz 21 singer has fond memories of meeting him as a child.
“Growing up in New Orleans, I grew up in a jazz area," Ginsburg said. “I was singing jazz and blues all my life, and it continues."
Ginsburg left New Orleans and moved to Plano about two years ago to be near his daughter. The damage that Hurricane Katrina ravaged on his hometown convinced him it was time to move on.
“It was something that broke the camel's back, and we were not forced [to move], fortunately," he said.
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