Justin Chart

especially love the interplay that can occur with musicians who are truly listening to each other at a deep level, listening and then responding and creating a soul connection together whether that's with burning bebop lines or, in playing a soulful ballad. Jazz combines creativity from the mind, heart, and the gut. It flourishes through structure and even more so through Non structure and uses melody and rhythm to bridge the musician's creativity and the listener's imagination. It is unpredictable and it is never the same way every single time. I don’t even think it is possible to play any selection the same way two consecutive times. I really like the fact that it is that way. It definitely keeps my interest, because of it. I thrive on the spontaneity with discipline it demands. I am thankful I have the ability to communicate so many stories through rhythm, textures and emotions. There is a freedom and a sense of exhilaration in Jazz that is not found in any other music. Jazz is about finding freedom and a personal voice within a structure, and that is what appeals to me most. I had a late start in jazz, it has invited me in with open arms. I am a musician. I feel it is the highest order of expression, because it's honest. The older I get and more deeper submerged into Jazz and all it's sub genres I become, the more I fall into it's all encompassing arms and it's rhythms become my daily rhythms and help form and inform my routines. It is creative expression, freedom, community and humor. My house is a Jazz house. Jazz is the sound of freedom!