Aaron Diehl talks jazz and classical music, Interlochen, touring with Wynton Marsalis, and Juilliard

Critically acclaimed American pianist and composer Aaron Diehl deftly traverses the jazz and classical worlds. The GRAMMY nominated artist discusses the music of his childhood (Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, and Johann Sebastian Bach), early performances on stage at his family's church, and how he learned to play "Deck the Halls" on the piano at age 5. He tells David why loosening up in his music playing is vital yet still scary and how a summer at ‪@InterlochenArts‬ was a turning point in his musicianship. Aaron recounts how after winning the ‪@jalc‬'s Essentially Ellington competition he nearly turned down a European Tour at age 17 with ‪@wyntonmarsalis‬ (thank goodness he didn't!!), what he learned through that experience, and why enrolling at the ‪@JuilliardSchool‬ was a gift after this education on the road. To close it out Aaron (‪@ADSwing85‬) describes how his life as a pilot mimics his performances on stage.

Love this podcast, watch another Speaking Soundly episode featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, nine-time Grammy Award winner, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the greatest trumpeter of his generation Wynton Marsalis. To our host, David Krauss, Wynton always be his teacher, mentor, and family friend. Wynton Marsalis and David chat about the benefits of music and Wynton’s musical development, and discuss a treasured gift. This episode will make David’s mom especially proud!    • Wynton Marsalis talks a treasured gift, me...  

If you missed the launch of the podcast, watch this Speaking Soundly episode featuring legendary jazz bassist Christian McBride. From the age of seventeen, Christian McBride has been playing with jazz legends and, over the past 30 years, has become one himself. The eight-time Grammy Award-winning bassist recalls a brief stint at Juilliard, the strong influence of his musical family, and how the music of James Brown got him through some tough times.    • Grammy-Award winner Christian McBride talk...  

The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.

Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman.

Photograph of Aaron Diehl by Evelyn Freja.

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media.