61. Creativity, connection, and the human experience in music | Laszlo Gardony

The profound impact of music education, the role of a teacher, and the evolution of music in the context of technology and personal growth. Laszlo and I reflect on our experiences at Berklee, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the future of music education, emphasizing the importance of creativity, connection, and the human experience in music. Guest Bio Internationally acclaimed Boston-based jazz pianist and composer Laszlo Gardony is one of the most expressive and technically skilled pianists working in jazz today. “A formidable improviser who lives in the moment,” according to JazzTimes, Gardony has performed in 27 countries and released 14 albums as a leader: 11 on the Sunnyside label, two on Antilles and one on Avenue Jazz. Winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, he has been noted for his “fluid pianism” by The New York Times, praised by JazzTimes for his “incredible technique spread over a highly personal harmonic language,” lauded by The Boston Phoenix for his “accessible lyricism and subtle complexities” and celebrated by the UK’s Jazzwise as a “fine pianist who has mastered the sound of surprise” and hailed by Cadence as a pianist deserving of wider recognition. And as DownBeat put it: “No matter how busy Gardony becomes, there’s a stillness at the center of his music, a distinctive amalgam of central European folk strains, majestic classic piano and improvisational fearlessness.” The legendary Dave Brubeck also called him “a great pianist.” A professor in the piano department at Berklee College of Music since 1987, Gardony is also a faculty member at Harvard University’s Jazz Combo Initiative program. Timestamps 00:00 Why it took me 18 months to publish this interview? A brief life review. 17:06 Laszlo reflects on hearing Xingyu at the Berklee first-week audition and the role of a teacher 23:54 Navigating Challenges: Growth Through Adversity 31:06 Teaching at Harvard: open up the Musician Mind 37:09 Can AI replace real music and art? The problem with human desensitization 43:54 Creating 'Close Connection': The Album's Evolution 46:48 How to teach music online? 52:38 The Art of Improvisation in Music 62:19 The Art of Creating Music from Spontaneity 66:30 Musical Influences and Writing my Dairy on the Piano 69:13 What happens in your brain when you improvise? How to become egoless so that the greater wisdom can come in... 1:11:21 The Future of Music Education: hearing the sounds that express our humanity 1:13:52 The Role of Machine and Human in the Future of Music Takeaways The connection between teacher and student is vital for growth. Improvisation allows for deeper self-expression in music. Art should facilitate connection and creativity among individuals. How musicians took the challenge of the pandemic to reflect and innovate? Humanity and compassion are essential qualities for artists. Music serves as a form of therapy and self-reflection. The future of music lies in discovering subtle sound elements. Teaching music requires a balance between structure and spontaneity. The essence of music is rooted in human experience and connection. Recourses lgjazz.com Cedar Tree Dance (Laszlo Gardony) - The Laszlo Gardony Trio w/ John Lockwood (b), Yoron Israel (d) 2011 Space Art-icy

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