The Nashville Jazz Workshop, which has been led by the husband-and-wife duo of bassist Roger Spencer and pianist Lori Mechem for the past 25 years, has been continuously dedicated to the Music City music scene and is gearing up for their signature annual fundraiser.
At the center of the Workshop is Jazzmania, a fundraising gala that includes an outstanding bill of live music plus live and silent auctions, and this year’s theme “Ritmos de la Noche — A Latin Jazz Celebration” which will feature performances by the 10-piece group Nashville Latin Fusion as well as the rising stars of the Nashville Youth Jazz Ensemble on October 19th at The Factory at Franklin’s Library.
David Rodgers, who has been immersed in the Music City jazz community for years, officially stepped into the role of artistic director for the Workshop back in July and discussed his views on the organization and the culture of jazz in Nashville.
I’ve known about and been involved on some level with the Workshop since I moved to Nashville in 2013″ Rodgers said, during an interview with The Nashville Scene. “My role is to continue Lori and Roger’s mission of offering some of the best jazz instruction in Nashville and presenting some of the best creative live music (in the best listening room for it) in Nashville. At the same time, my duty to the Nashville community is to also expand the range of jazz styles heard and taught.”
“Lori Mechem and I had a conversation recently, and we both strongly believe that there is no substitute for the Great American Songbook as part of a fundamental jazz education” he later added during the interview.
“At the same time, there is a great opportunity to serve our Nashville music community by listening to their voice when they mention something they’d like to learn. ”
Edwards also talked about the current Nashville jazz scene.
Nashville has some of the best musicians in the world — and I don’t say that naively. I grew up in Los Angeles, I’ve lived in New York City, I’ve toured the world and played at the biggest jazz festivals in Europe” he said.
“Nashville’s jazz scene can hold its own, and it’s ever-growing. That’s an exciting spot to be in. Even in my 11 years living here, there have been massive changes in the reception of live jazz. More and more people are moving here who have an appreciation for what jazz is and what jazz means. More and more top-tier musicians are moving here who are excited to help build the scene in Nashville. There is an inexplicable energy to live improvised music, and I think it’s becoming more and more known and appreciated here in Nashville.
I also think that the melting pot of styles that are embodied in “Music City” — country music, yes, but also funk, R&B, gospel, pop, and jazz — all come together to inform the musical voice of the local players here in Nashville. There aren’t many “jazz-only” players here. The best players are also playing on country records, touring with pop artists, composing and producing their own music — and I think that’s a unique strength to Nashville’s players. There’s a wide view of what music is and can be here, and when those players are put in an improvisational setting, it’s really fun to listen to.”
