TEDxEmeraldGlenPark Spotlight: East Bay Jazz Explores Personality and Creativity in “Jazz Personified”

DUBLIN, CA–As I recently shared, our theme for this year’s TEDxEmeraldGlenPark event is “Future.” This is an exciting topic with so many different interpretations. After all, does the future have to be one size fits all? How do we design our future to help us and our children discover their unique and special selves? How can we draw inspiration from the people before us, without limiting our dreams to what has been proven possible?  

At TEDxEmeraldGlenPark, the East Bay Jazz High School All-Stars will explore these questions in their one of a kind performance-talk hybrid, titled “Jazz Personified.” East Bay Jazz is an after-school program for high-caliber musical performance and education, specifically for high school jazz musicians. East Bay Jazz’s two ensembles, big band and combo, rehearse on a weekly basis and frequently perform between January to June. In East Bay Jazz, students develop their skills within the jazz idiom, gain real-world performance experience, and share their love of music with the East Bay community and beyond. East Bay Jazz’s educational programs are fully supported by the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center.

Spencer Sussman, the founder of East Bay Jazz, drew inspiration from the legendary famous jazz musicians, who are all recognized and remembered for their unique personalities and signature voice. Yet, how does one find their “voice”? How do we make individual authentic choices – both in music and in life? How do we develop a personality? At TEDxEmeraldGlenPark, East Bay Jazz will explore the power of improvisation and composition in the journey discover one’s authentic individual voice and signature style. In the process, the band will also demonstrate how to improvise and compose like a pro with amazing results.

East Bay Jazz will also explore the role of the classics in one’s journey to find their voice. Relying on classics to learn jazz or any musical skills is a prevalent and accepted practice. But is it really for everyone? Does it really help you discover your voice and personality? Do we always have to stand on the shoulders of the giants that came before us – if so, on what terms?

The performance will also explore the personal experience of practicing a creative endeavor. Should music, or any creative endeavor, be by definition a custom experience designed for the particular preferences, virtues and vices of the performers? At what point do we encourage students to pursue new compositions specifically tailored for them? After all, wouldn’t this facilitate a development of a unique voice and ultimately more enjoyment? After all, one normally practices music or art to avoid a cookie cutter approach. Any creative endeavor is deeply personal and individual.

Come explore creativity, personality, and authenticity with East Bay Jazz during their one-night-only performance at TEDxEmeraldGlenPark! Attending TEDxEmeraldGlenPark is a great way to get connected, get inspired, and get excited about our unique community and the importance of developing a unique voice and signature personality. Your presence would help create an enriching, intellectually stimulating experience for yourself and other attendees. And, of course, East Bay Jazz has been eagerly practicing for this thought-provoking night! A limited number of tickets are available online for you to purchase. There will be no tickets available at the door, so make sure you don’t miss out! I am so excited to meet and share ideas with this community. Let’s make this TEDx event one to remember.