Video: Jazz Pianist Gerard Hagen Featured During KSBR Birthday Bash

Gerard Hagen is one of thirty talented musicians to be featured on the upcoming KSBR Birthday Bash scheduled for Sunday, May 29, 2011. 

It takes place on the .  Doors will open at 3 p.m.

Pianist Hagen was born in Bismarck, North Dakota.  His father worked for the federal government and his mother worked for the state government. Education was the most important thing to his parents. Along with academia, they encouraged Gerard, his brother and two sisters to study piano and one other instrument.

With the goal of making their children well-rounded, they also participated in all types of sports, from golf to tennis to swimming.

GERARD: “They wanted us to be well educated and have many experiences. They prepared us to function in the adult professional world. However, having one of their children choose music as a career was not something they’d planned on with all those music lessons!” Gerard told me with a chuckle.

PATCH: Have you participated in this KSBR Festival in the past?

GERARD: “Yes. The KSBR Birthday Bash is a unique concert in that all the headliners agree to perform with one another. They don’t necessarily bring their regular band members. It’s truly a one time event, with musicians getting the chance to work with groups that are formed for this special one time concert. I have been participating in this concert for a few years now and always look forward to it. It’s like a party. We get a chance to see guys we haven't seen for awhile, but when the bands walk on stage, it’s all business. No one wants to go down in flames in front of all their colleagues!”

Hagen moved to the Los Angeles area in 1983. After two years of graduate school at Northern Michigan University, he was equipped with a bachelor's and master's degree and prepared for life as a freelance musician.

PATCH: I know you are a faculty artist/professor at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.  How long have you been teaching there and what do you enjoy the most about teaching?

GERARD: “I Started at Saddleback College in 2004.  I'm happiest teaching when I see the students developing an understanding of what it takes to be an artist. So often students have no clear idea of where they need to go. When you see them get it, then it's simply a matter of consistent effort on their part and mine, (as their mentor) to show them a pathway.” 

PATCH: How do you think we can bring younger audiences to appreciate jazz music?

GERARD: “I have been presenting jazz music to students since 1977 and ultimately I think my best answer comes from my own experience as a child. Growing up in North Dakota we weren't exactly immersed in the world of jazz. I first really became aware of jazz in High School when I played in the school band. We listened to a lot of jazz recordings and I was drawn to the rhythm. I also liked the element of Blues incorporated into the music. After years of performing, I know that I'm not unique in this. I think children will respond to music that makes them want to move, laugh and have fun."

PATCH: The KSBR Birthday Bash seems to be embracing the full spectrum of music. I think of Evelyn Champagne King as more R&B than jazz.  

GERARD: “I know that music needs a label to be marketed and I know that there is much confusion because of these labels. Jazz music is capable of including all kinds of elements from other styles of music: Afro-Cuban jazz, Brazilian jazz, fusion,  jazz-rock, third stream, acid-jazz, you name it.  Jazz is a hybrid so to speak. Smooth jazz is another form of music which incorporates elements of other styles of music with elements of jazz. If it's good music, it's good music. When I first started playing club dates in L.A. we played pretty much anything. We'd play bebop, Latin tunes, fusion and not really think anything about it.  Audiences will accept anything as long as it’s played well.”

PATCH: What’s the trick to keeping a band together?  I read that your trio has been working as a unit since 1997. What advice do you have for young musicians in that regard?

GERARD: “The idea of having a working group that develops over a period of years was our intent from the beginning. In the jazz world we all work in so many groups just to earn a living that we become adept at putting things together very quickly--often on the bandstand during the performance. The level of musicianship is so high that this produces music that’s of a high caliber. But it becomes frustrating, because it’s difficult to do original music in this situation. We have all had the experience of rehearsing a band with original material and then having one or more of the band members leave for a tour. Now we have to get a sub and likely change the repertoire we've already prepared. After more than a decade of this, I was looking for an opportunity to do something more long- term.

“Ironically, a drummer sent Jerry Kalaf as a sub to one of my club dates. After we played the first set we decided to look for the right bassist, which turned out to be Domenic Genova. We started by getting together regularly to rehearse and develop new material and arrangements. Next we did club dates and any other work we could get. We recorded and traveled and developed our own thing. All the while we were doing other jobs with other groups, but I did my best to keep us working. We've had times when we've been busy and times when things have been slow, but we always made sure that the trio was intact. I think we offer something many groups can't: music that is from a deeper level due to many years of experience.”

To hear Hagen and 29 other talented musicians, the music begins promptly at 5 p.m., so get there early to browse the vendor stands and situate yourself. If you haven’t reserved one of the KSBR VIP tables, there will still be lots of ground space for picnic blankets and baskets. Small coolers, low-back chairs, food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted on site.  No video cameras please. For ticket information check out ksbr.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Saddleback College box office.

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