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Rod McGaha
Rod McGaha
About Me
Rod McGaha is exactly what working musicians strive to be, a potent combination of
virtuosity and unfettered artistic passion. But who are we to say so? Fair question. It has
been said by more than a few that the good musicians know who are the good musicians;
therefore -
Max Roach (jazz legend): “(Rod is) An important new and original voice.”
Clark Terry (jazz legend): “When I first heard Trees (Rod), I got that same feeling I got when I
first heard Wynton . Some musicians just have that thing!”
Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band): “Rod McGaha is a one of a kind musician and has his own
identity on the trumpet – an instrument that millions of people play- and that's saying
something.”
Kirk Whalum (Grammy award winner): “Rod McGaha doesn't think he has the luxury of ever
releasing music he doesn't feel deeply. I for one am glad that he connects us to his heart
each time he connects to his mouthpiece.”
Victor Wooten (Grammy award winning bassist) “ Rod is a special talent. Whether playing
trumpet, writing, or arranging, he speaks with a voice that is uniquely his own. That is why I
use him on my projects.”
Whether you first heard him as the opening act for Take 6 or as one of the featured jazz
soloists with Max Roach's critically-acclaimed group, or maybe even as a featured soloist
playing in front of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, one of your first thoughts had to be,
“This guy makes playing great look really easy.” That's because Rod has lived a musical life
that was founded on consistent, hard work behind the scenes and passionate fun and
pleasure on the stage. “If I didn't love playing so much, I would have quit - years ago.”
A native born Chicagoan, Rod McGaha first showed up on Chicago's jazz scene as a
young prodigy, during an era when young lions were making more than just a little roar. He
constantly comments on how receiving the acceptance and guidance of legendary tenor
saxophonist, Von Freeman was very important to him. “When I teach in clinics, I remember
how eager I was to get better and how important it was for me to be called one of Von's
“horses”. When I teach kids today, I recognize that look in their eyes. I'm just as happy for
them, as I was for me. I understand their excitement and their fear.”
Rod is quick to admit that he was blessed to to have garnered the attention of legends like
Von Freeman and Clark Terry at a young age, but it is probably most telling that although he
received an invite from none other than Wynton Marsalis himself, to come to New York to
audition for a spot as one of the newest young lions in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, he felt
that life was calling him in a different direction, to be a different kind of lion.
By the time he was 22, Rod was busy trying to find “a way” to musically express his
spiritual beliefs, while utilizing his knowledge and skills in African American modern
improvisation (or as it is better known as, Jazz). And, apparently that “way” is an endlessly
long way. Rod has played concerts in Egypt, Japan, Germany, South Africa, Poland and
Mexico. He has played in bands for Kenny Rogers, Bebe and CeCe Winans and was even the
music the director for the now alternative rock sensation Shelby Lynne. One could just list the
stages on which he's played (Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Chicago's legendary Jazz
Showcase, to name just a few) and come to the conclusion that his has been a complete
musical life. But Rod says the music is the only thing that really matters. “If I can make
someone feel something through my music, then I know I'm doing it right. I want people to
feel the way I felt listening to Clark Terry. I remember, I was listening to a recording of Clark
Terry and it gave me great joy. He made me happy just with his music alone. That's the
power of music!”
And, it is Rod's power in music that led the New York Times to proclaim that his album
Preacherman was one of the top ten albums deserving greater recognition. Not one to ever
rest on past achievements, Rod McGaha has continued to write and perform music that is both
contemporary, and yet classic in some nature. Traveling the world and playing with such a
diverse group of musical talents spurred him to create the well received United For Peace
Orchestra, a 22 member juggernaut of a band, amalgamating over 7 different nationalities.
“Being on stage with that band was like being on stage with an encyclopedia Britannica. There
was knowledge and culture coming in from all different directions and the audience was just
as inspired by it as we were.” But complexity for complexity sake is not Rod's approach.
Often, you'll see him onstage using nothing but a plunger and his trumpet, while playing a
raw a capella blues. His musical philosophy is one reminiscent of the familiar Nikki Giovanni
line, “... people try to speak English instead of trying to speak through it.” Rod's primary goal
is to speak through music in a way that brings joy to his audiences. And, as for all the rest?
“All the rest is gravy, doc!” All the rest is gravy.