JAZZ DAY INTERVIEW
DANNY LUBIN-LADEN

April 21, 2016 | by SFJAZZ Education

Danny Lubin-Laden

SFJAZZ is celebrated International Jazz Day 2016 with a Community Jazz Jam at the Center! Before the jam, we caught up with the leader of the session, High School All-Stars alumnus Danny Lubin-Laden, and learned about Brass Magic, the importance of jams, and what jazz has to offer to the world.

You are no stranger to being a band leader; can you tell us about founding Brass Magic?

I have always loved listening to brass band music from around the world. I’ve been blown away by the ability it has to move people – spiritually, emotionally, and, of course, physically. People dancing to brass band music feel as if they are part of the band – one vibrating organism.

When I started Brass Magic, I wanted to recreate the environment of New Orleans brass band music, but draw from my origins in the Bay Area, with its diverse influences. At its inception, the band was playing house parties in San Francisco. The stress connected with running a band can’t be underestimated; I was also focusing on developing the right sound by trying out a lot of different ones; some worked, some didn’t. One of my litmus tests was whether the song got people dancing, and that propelled us. There’s been an enormous amount of hard work, and we’ve come a long way. We have two records out and will return to the Joe Henderson Lab at SFJAZZ on July 28th. Come out and see us, and of course, dance!

What do you enjoy most about jam sessions?

When I was living in New York, I went to jam sessions all the time, learning from the many fabulous musicians in the city. They provided powerful insights into what I needed to work on and how I needed to expand: learning more tunes, increasing my ability to play comfortably at different tempos, and refining my style. I love the Bay Area, but the number and variety of jam sessions in New York gave me the opportunity to learn at a more rapid pace.

This year is the 5th anniversary of International Jazz Day. What do you think is the most important benefit this American art form has to offer the world?

Jazz mirrors the history and soul of the country – a country that has had moments of pure joy and beauty, but a country with an ugly history of discrimination. Jazz embraces the joy, particularly that of ordinary people, but it has powerfully addressed the ugly parts of being American, including discrimination, creating soaring statements or protest. At its heart, jazz celebrates survival and the pure joy that is found in both expected and unexpected places.

Jazz requires you to learn from others – the extraordinary, trailblazing musicians who’ve preceded you, and the cultures that have contributed to its vitality. It fosters empathy and promotes respect. Being a jazz musician requires continuous practice and self searching – it makes you feel humble. Jazz is not an art form associated with making money. You become a jazz musician because you want to contribute your music to the world, and because you love your craft. That is enough for me.