Jason Domnarski ’04 on jazz and SaratogaArtsFest

Jason Domnarski’s trio, JDT, received a Downbeat Student Music Award while he was at Skidmore, and has been playing the New York City jazz circuit since graduation. Domnarski also plays as a sideman with Special Patrol, an instrumental rock/jazz group, and Spielerfrau, a Brooklyn-based rock band.

How are you anticipating your upcoming return to the Saratoga community?
This will be my first time performing in the SaratogaArtsFest.  I was very excited when Don McCormack asked me to participate and I've been looking forward to it for some time.  I had such a great experience performing in Saratoga while at Skidmore and it feels good to be able to do it again.  The town is full of intelligent and hip folks who love to support the arts.  We need more of that in this country.

You’re currently known for a very eclectic, experimental style. Does this reflect your training as a musician, or was the approach something you came up with?
I think my style is really a product of what I listen to, from Bill Evans to Radiohead to Boards of Canada.  Living in New York City, I’m constantly exposed to high-caliber music of every style. After moving here, I quickly pursued playing with rock bands, country groups, and singer/songwriters, just to expand my knowledge. I worry that too many jazz students get so focused on listening to the masters that they ignore all the other great music being made. As a composer, I've tried to take all these influences and invent my own genre.  I think it’s going pretty well...we are a bit hard to categorize!

What do you love about jazz?
Jazz, unlike other genres, gives you complete freedom to express yourself through improvisation and harmonic interpretation. After seven years of classical piano studies, I was desperate to learn the tools to create my own music, and that brought me to jazz. Over the years I’ve developed a compositional style that incorporates several types of genres, from rock to electronic music.

You are a solo artist, part of a trio, and a contributor to other bands. Which role is your favorite?
Playing solo can be so rewarding.  I’m always glad that I chose an instrument that can hold its own in so many different settings. That said, like so many pianists, I love a trio format.  Piano, bass, and drums are such a perfect marriage; when I write music, I always have those instruments in mind.  My bandmates, Aaron Nevezie and Dave Mason, are two of my favorite musicians, and I love hearing how they interpret my music.  

Has the New York City music scene changed in the time that you’ve been playing?
I’ve been here for five years and the music scene is always changing.  Unfortunately, money is the biggest factor, with clubs closing left and right due to exorbitant rents. The downturn in the economy hasn't directly affected our show attendance, but getting people out in the city is always an uphill battle. There are so many things going on that you’re always in competition with other events.

How did it feel to perform at such places as the Blue Note and Jazz Standard?
It was such a thrill to play them last year.  They are two of New York City’s best rooms, and you can’t help feeling proud of yourself for getting on those stages.  New York can be a merciless place for artists and when you have successes like that, it really energizes you.  Now my sights are set on even bigger things. Our fan base is continuing to grow and we're excited to get on the road and play for new audiences.

What’s next for JDT?
The trio has just finished recording our new album, Inventing the Wheel, and it will be released by Ropeadope Records in the coming months. Ropeadope Records have always been the arbiters of hip with a roster of amazing musicians, of which we are now very happy to be a part.  We’ll be on the road in support of the record this summer and will hopefully make it to Europe in the fall.  It’s a very exciting time for the band.

Do you see yourself continuing to record albums and perform live? Any plans to teach music?
I’m already doing a lot of teaching.  In addition to private students, I’ve started the Park Slope Rock School in Brooklyn, which teaches kids the basics of playing rock music in a band setting. Too often, music education overlooks the “immediate gratification factor.” Rock music, being fairly simple and very energetic, is a great way to get kids excited about making music.  I do plan on recording and performing for as long as I can.  That’s my true passion.

What advice would you give to Skidmore’s aspiring musicians?
I received so much bad advice from professional musicians throughout my early career that I just gave up asking.  Most would say the same thing: “You just gotta play, man!” Obviously, but how do you meet musicians, get a gig, get your name out there, do you need a manager, how do you find one? I had so many questions. As far as the music is concerned, I think the key word is originality. Work on finding your own voice and know how you differ from everyone else.
 
The other big difference today is the industry. The record industry is in a complete freefall and no one has the answer. Make the music you love to make and be creative about getting it to audiences.  Embrace the freedom, and if your music speaks, success is around the corner. ~ Interview conducted by Lauren Donovan ’10

Posted On: 4/16/2009

Tags: jason domnarski, saratoga arts fest