JONATHON ON JAZZ by Lauren Fischer and Jacob Jahiel / photography by Yaseen Jones
From the moment Jonathon Heyward joined the BSO as Music Director last year , he outlined a mission to draw connections , both personal and artistic , to the Orchestra ’ s repertoire . In November , Heyward highlights the intersection of classical and jazz , the two genres in which he feels most at home , with a series of jazz-imbued programs .
OVERTURE EDITORS Jacob Jahiel and Lauren Fischer chatted with Heyward about his love of jazz and the many performances during the 2024-25 season that celebrate one of America ’ s greatest art forms .
Where did your love of jazz come from ? JH : Growing up , my dad was a huge jazz lover , so jazz was always on . That was the hook for me . Now , it ’ s the music that often plays in my own home . I enjoy listening to classical music , but it ’ s hard to relax because I ’ m constantly analyzing . Jazz is the music I can turn to when I ’ m not working — which seems to be hardly ever , I admit !
Who are your greatest jazz influences ? JH : My father loves modern and contemporary jazz , but I turned towards some of the big giants of the jazz world : John Coltrane , Miles Davis , Charles Mingus , and of course Nina Simone . These are people who really moved the needle in their art form , which is something that really inspires me .
Why is it important for you to draw connections between classical music and jazz ? JH : When we talk about jazz and classical , they ’ re not as far apart as we think they are . I just mentioned Nina Simone , and she is the perfect example . The basis of her music was jazz , but you can always tell that she had Bach in her hands , and you hear it in her amazing improv . She just loved music . Classical music doesn ’ t have to live in a silo , and for me , there is a huge spectrum of what classical music , or symphonic music , can be .
What are you looking forward to as the BSO celebrates jazz this November ? JH : I ’ m not sure I can narrow it down ! I ’ m very much looking forward to conducting Wynton Marsalis ’ Concerto for Tubist and Orchestra , for a number of reasons . I ’ ve always adored his
“ Classical music doesn ’ t have to live in a silo , and for me , there is a huge spectrum of what classical music , or symphonic music , can be .”
— JONATHON HEYWARD
music — here again is someone with an ability to take classical idioms in the direction of jazz . But , of course , I ’ m also really excited because the piece features our very own Principal Tuba , Aubrey Foard , as soloist . He ’ s a wonderful performer , and together I look forward to engaging with a work that illustrates the fun and rhythmic elements of jazz .
On the other side of the spectrum , there is the Ravel Piano Concerto in G , which shows a very different relationship with jazz . It ’ s distinct from Gershwin , for instance , or other classical composers who were writing around the jazz idiom . It has this French lightness of texture and touch , particularly in his use of harmonies . Ravel is so clever with his harmonic progressions that were really unheard of before his time , and his jazz idioms are so unique in the ways they shine a light on very specific jazz characteristics in extraordinary and beautiful ways .
We are also looking forward to a special , one-night , Tribute to Ellington performance on March 15 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall . Why dedicate a whole night to Ellington ? JH : Why not ? He ’ s really the originator of big band music , which is a huge cornerstone of the fabric and evolution of jazz . And beyond that , he was also an incredible proponent of unity , demanding equality for African Americans in being able to share the space , if you will , when he was performing . He was a huge racial justice advocate in addition to being an amazing artist , and that ’ s something we should celebrate . That ’ s the beauty of what we do — there is a sense of unity that comes from this level of artistry .
To underscore that point , we have brought in numerous members of the community for this concert : the Peabody Jazz Group , BSO OrchKids , as well as pianist and Baltimore favorite Cyrus Chesnut . It ’ s a great way to celebrate Ellington ’ s music , but also a really wonderful way to celebrate the man , the artist , and his vision .
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