Truth In This Art Podcast - Your Source for Conversations with Artists, Innovators, Creatives & Cultural Leaders

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Welcome to "The Truth In This Art." I'm your host, Rob Lee. In today's episode, we have a captivating conversation with Musician & president of the Baltimore Jazz Alliance Ian Rashkin. Ian Rashkin is a bassist, composer, and software engineer, transplanted to Baltimore from California and Seattle. From screaming in a teenage punk band to a degree in classical bass at the University of Washington, Ian has played all sorts of music from East to West coasts and as far off as Russia and Korea, but currently plays primarily jazz with trio Mike 'n' Ike and other local artists. Since 2016 Ian has served as president of the board of the Baltimore Jazz Alliance, a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to support and promote the jazz scene in the Baltimore area. This all-volunteer, member-based organization publishes a newsletter and website with a calendar of all regional jazz events. It presents programs ranging from Baltimore Jazz Fest, Jazz for Kids, and Baltimore Jazz Conference. Until Covid hit, Ian ran a very successful jazz jam session at Germano's Piattini in Little Italy, and currently hides out with a mask and gloves practicing and writing music. His piece Wood Moths, for viola, cello, bass, and dancers, will be premiered online

In this episode, we delve into:

• Delve into the captivating world of jazz as we explore the mission of the Baltimore Jazz Alliance (BJA), an organization dedicated to uniting musicians and fostering the vibrant jazz scene in Baltimore.
• Discover how jazz serves as a powerful form of self-expression, providing musicians the freedom to innovate while honoring the rich history of the genre.
• Join us as we unravel the key steps for aspiring musicians to progress in their careers, emphasizing the importance of taking every gig and forging meaningful connections within the industry.
• Explore the artistry of music composition, where paying meticulous attention to details and transitions becomes the cornerstone of creating cohesive and impactful musical pieces.

Join us as we explore the world of Jazz with Ian Rashkin, President of the Baltimore Jazz Alliance, discusses his role in promoting and supporting the jazz scene in Baltimore. He shares his journey as a musician, from playing in punk rock bands to finding his passion for jazz and experimental music. Ian highlights the importance of the BJA in connecting musicians and creating opportunities for them to showcase their talent. He also mentions some influential musicians and local talents in Baltimore's jazz scene. Ian offers advice for aspiring musicians and emphasizes the significance of taking every opportunity and paying attention to the details in music composition.

Mentioned in this episode

Ian Rashkin- Baltimore Jazz Alliance

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Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.