Jason Moran is an accomplished jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and educator. Moran leads The Bandwagon, including bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits. The Bandwagon delivers a fresh and bold mix of classic and contemporary jazz styles, incoporating hip-hop and other modern musical elements that reflect new directions in jazz.
Moran is the Artistic Director for Jazz at The Kennedy Center. He has also been on the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music since 2010, where he gives masterclasses and teaches lessons. Jason Moran has performed as a sideman with many of the luminaries in jazz, including Charles Lloyd, Christian McBride, Joe Lovano, Greg Osby, Bill Frisell, The Bad Plus, and many others.
Jazz in the Afternoon host Chris Cooke recently spoke to Jason Moran over the phone. In a wide-ranging conversation, Moran cited Thelonious Monk and Jaki Byard as his primary influences, which helped shaped his modern approach to the piano. He also discussed his experiences working with Charles Lloyd, and today's jazz music, in addition to the lessons he seeks to impart to his music students. Click on the link to hear the interview.
