Playing from the soul

Before contemporary jazz icon Darrell Grant came to Portland State, the music department didn’t offer a degree in Jazz Studies. Now, because of Grant’s influence, Portland State offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the field.

Now, because of Grant’s influence, Portland State offers both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the field. Although Grant’s spends most of his time at PSU as an Assistant Professor of Music in jazz studies, he also performs with other jazz musicians, works on new albums and promotes jazz education in the community when he isn’t teaching.

A regular performer at LV’s Uptown, a Portland all-ages jazz club, Grant likes to get students involved in the local jazz scene. His students get the chance to perform with professionals in real-life concert settings, the kind of experience most aspiring musicians rarely get to have.

“The music isn’t just concerts,” Grant said.

When he performs on his own, Grant does more than just play music-he strives for community involvement through his performances. Grant has played concerts to benefit Mercy Corps, and works regularly with the Leroy Vinnegar Jazz Institute, which promotes jazz history and education.

Grant said he believes strongly in the social influence that music and live performances can have on exploring the power of music to make change.

Grant started playing piano when he was six years old, getting free lessons from his mother and continuing to play the instrument throughout childhood. He was introduced to jazz by listening to his parents’ record collection.

The first jazz album Grant remembers hearing was by Vince Guaraldi, who wrote music for the “Peanuts” television show.

“I could learn that,” Grant said he remembered thinking when he first heard Guaraldi’s music.

Grant joined the school jazz band in fourth grade because he didn’t want to play classical music, and he felt jazz was his only other option.

“Jazz band was the only other outlet,” said Grant. “It was something I could study.”

At the age of 15, Grant joined the Pearl Street Jazz Band, an ensemble of high school students. The band put out a record, traveled to festivals and made a fair amount of money playing local gigs.

Grant went on to major in classical piano at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., and then went for a graduate degree in jazz studies at the University of Miami. He then moved to New York City to begin his career as a professional jazz musician.

After spending a few years in New York, Grant began to tire of its music scene.

“New York was cliquish,” Grant said.

Grant didn’t like the immensity of the city and how it seemed to keep musicians from working with others who had different styles.

Grant was introduced to Portland at the age of 12, when he visited for a performance with his church choir. Grant said he remembered how lush and green everything was, and that really appealed to him.

Grant was in Portland playing a gig with drummer Alan Jones in 1997 when he heard PSU was looking for a professor of jazz music. After applying, he quickly rose above the other candidates.

Grant said he was attracted to the job at PSU because he liked the opportunities that with the university environment.

“Being at a university give you a platform to work in the community-it helps people connect,” said Grant. “Nobody knows what a jazz man does all day.”

After starting at PSU, Grant worked with other faculty on expanding the jazz studies program. By 2005, the program was offered as both a bachelor’s and master’s degree.

Since his arrival, students and staff have had nothing but good things to say about Grant.

“His community involvement is second to none,” said Charles Gray, area coordinator of jazz studies. “Whatever he’s doing he does 150 percent.”

Gray said he likes working with Grant because of the new range of skills he brings to the program.

“He does the things he likes best, I do the things I like best, and together we get the job done,” Gray said, explaining how his expertise with big bands combined with Grant’s experience playing in small ensembles gives balance to the jazz program.

Students like working with Grant because of his complimentary attitude and his skills as a teacher.

“He takes you way far and beyond what you thought you were capable of,” said Chance Hayden, guitar player and senior in jazz studies. “Taking classes from him has been one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve done at PSU.”

Grant is very satisfied with the jazz scene here in Portland. He describes it as a hotbed of jazz, with far more good musicians than any other similarly sized city.

After releasing his latest album, Truth and Reconciliation, earlier this year, Grant wants to continue his focus on teaching, performing and community involvement.