Brent Yorgason | Your father, Ellis Marsalis, recently passed away from the coronavirus. In times like these, with a global pandemic, what can musicians do to help ease the pain in our society? | Dr. Jon Skidmore | What is your advice or suggestions to help the young performer direct their anxiety into creative energy. | Dr. Jon Skidmore | What are some of the things you do to prime yourself to get into flow? | Bryant Jordan | Here are some questions I have: How has your love of music and it as a chosen career influenced your view of American society? In what ways do you find or experience joy in the music you create? From a musicians standpoint, if you had one piece of advice for the nation, as well as the world, right now, what would it be? How have you used music to send social messages during this recent movement for racial equality? How has music helped you find hope during these times of pandemic and injustice? | Matt Coleman | Rhythm section members, especially those up-and-coming, sometimes associate more with being side-men and side-women rather than confident executive decision makers. On the band stand, where rhythm section players often need to call the shots, how can they build confidence to make good musical decisions? | Samuel Clawson | In light of recent nationwide political and social unrest, how can music help move us towards more love, unity, and equality? | Sara Linderman | How has your experience with jazz influenced your view of America? | Ana Miranda | Who was a musician that you feel influenced your style and drive for jazz? | Tustin Neilson | If you could have all Americans learn one thing about Jazz history, what would it be? | Madelyn | When composing a new piece, do you already have an idea of what you want to do with it or do you experiment a little bit before coming to a consensus on what rhythms/stylistic choices/dynamics/etc to use? Where do you find your inspiration for a new piece? |