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Take Five with Michael Kocour

Michael Kocour is a jazz pianist, organist and composer. He also serves as Director of Jazz Studies in the School of Music at Arizona State University. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as "one of the most sophisticated pianists in jazz," Kocour has performed at venues around the world and has been a guest on

Marian McPartland
piano1918 - 2013

Dizzy Gillespie
trumpet1917 - 1993

Joe Lovano
drumsb.1952

Eddie Harris
saxophone, tenor1934 - 1996

James Moody
woodwinds1925 - 2010

Eddie Daniels
clarinetb.1941

Randy Brecker
trumpetb.1945

Benny Golson
saxophone, tenor1929 - 2024

Ira Sullivan
multi-instrumentalist1931 - 2020

Carl Fontana
trombone1928 - 2003

Dewey Redman
saxophone, tenorb.1931

Lew Tabackin
saxophone, tenorb.1940
Instrument(s):
Piano & Hammond B3
Teachers and/or influences?
I am very grateful for the teachers that have played an important role in my development. While in high school from 1978-1980 I studied jazz improvisation with Chicago saxophonist Joe Daley who provided me with the professional training I needed to become successful as a jazz pianist. From 1986-88 I studied with Mary Sauer, pianist for the Chicago Symphony. In 1989 I received an NEA study grant to study with pianist/composer

Jim McNeely
composer / conductorb.1949
I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
I knew I wanted to be a musician when I discovered jazz music.
Your sound and approach to music:
While I am interested in musical experimentation, I am also committed to preserving great music from the past. It is my goal to do both when I perform.
Your teaching approach:
My job is to help students play more efficiently and to help them get quicker at playing what they hear in their head, on records and around them on the bandstand.
Favorite venue:
I love the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. Joe and Wayne Segal treat me like a member of the family there. That's also where I heard most of my jazz heroes play.
The first Jazz album I bought was:
Oscar Peterson: Return Engagement. Verve released this two album set as a "best of" the Oscar Peterson Trio. There are a few tracks on there from "Night Train" and "Very Tall." I was lucky to find this album in a mall record store in 1977. It was in tiny jazz record bin that was hard to find in a sea of disco titles.
CDs you are listening to now:

Mike LeDonne
organ, Hammond B3b.1956

Cory Weeds
saxophone, altob.1973

Peter Bernstein
guitarb.1967

Greg Gisbert
trumpetb.1966

Bruce Forman
guitarb.1956
Desert Island picks:

Hank Jones
piano1918 - 2010

Jimmy Smith
organ, Hammond B31925 - 2005

Wes Montgomery
guitar1923 - 1968

Oscar Peterson
piano1925 - 2007

Wes Montgomery
guitar1923 - 1968

Wynton Kelly
piano1931 - 1971

Thelonious Monk
piano1917 - 1982
How would you describe the state of jazz today?
We have way more jazz music to choose from today and more ways to experience it. It's pretty overwhelming and a lot to keep track of.
What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?
Our society needs to support music education in our public schools and live performance in our communities. That's why I teach at Arizona State University.
What is in the near future?
Currently I have another solo piano CD in the works and I'm composing forty-five minutes of music for jazz piano trio and string orchestra that I'll perform with the National Orchestra of Paraguay in summer 2016.
What's your greatest fear when you perform?
My greatest fear occurs before the performance. I never want to be late for the gig.
If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
If I weren't a jazz musician, I might have become a middle school teacher or a sous chef.
Tags
Michael Kocour
Take Five With...
Marian McPartland
Dizzy Gillespie
joe lovano
Eddie Harris
James Moody
eddie daniels
randy brecker
benny golson
Ira Sullivan
Carl Fontana
Dewey Redman
lew tabackin
Jim McNeely
Jazz Showcase
Chicago
Mike LeDonne
Cory Weeds
Peter Bernstein
Greg Gisbert
bruce forman
Hank Jones
Jimmy Smith
Wes Montgomery
oscar peterson
Wynton Kelly
Thelonious Monk
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