De Anza College’s jazz concert on Dec. 9 brought students together to celebrate creativity, self-expression, and the power of music in the Visual and Performing Arts Center. The performance highlighted a community where every voice is welcome and every story can be shared through jazz.
Transcript:
JORDAN MITCHELL: Let’s be honest. We all like gifts. I’m out here, but you know what sucks? Giving gifts. And that’s a little Grinch-y. But this year, the gift of music, because I don’t spend money on it and I get paid.
TOMMY NGO: On Dec. 9, the De Anza jazz concert filled the VPAC with student performers showcasing their work. The event offered a look at the creativity and musical community growing on campus.
MITCHELL: Out of everything I do at De Anza, I create community, teach history, and keep the spirit of jazz alive. The spirit of jazz is akin to the spirit of people of color in the United States and the connections we have to the world pre and post colonization. My goal is to teach not only the music, but to have that same space and culture involved as I teach here at De Anza College.
VJ LUKKA: Creativity can be expressed through many different mediums, and music is just what I was drawn to growing up. When you have those identity crises growing up, I found music was something I could confide in. The amount of time I spent with it made it a language I could understand and speak fluently. It became my way of being me. I listen to music all the time, play music whenever I’m not, and it is like oxygen to me. It keeps me going.
ELENA BANDA: Something people need to know about jazz is you are welcome. Even if you don’t play an instrument, you are welcome to join. We will teach you, and if we do not teach you, we will put you on shakers. It is very welcoming, very homely. I like it, and I think people would like it too.
MITCHELL: Ho, ho, ho, happy holidays. I’m tired. How is everybody doing today?
MITCHELL: Who does not like Santa Claus? I’m not even religious, and I like Santa Claus. And unfortunately, as anti-capitalist as I am, I love Christmas because of the capitalism.
BANDA: I love how he incorporates the culture in just about every kind of song. It feels like he is trying to be more open. Jazz is not just New Orleans. There are so many aspects and subcategories of jazz. I really appreciate it.
LUKKA: We all come from different backgrounds and have different stories to tell. Life really gets fulfilling when we are in a place where we can tell those stories and connect with each other. That is what jazz band really feels like. We play music sometimes, but when we are not, we are connecting and bonding, whether through learning about other music or talking about our own lives. There is really no shame. You can be whoever you want. Big kudos to Jordan for fostering that and making a place where people feel comfortable, which is what we need more of today.
MITCHELL: Confidence comes over time. You just have to show up and be willing to take that leap of faith. You are going to learn it over time. I cannot force you to take the leap. Only you can do that. But if you come into the space, I will nurture that leap.
LUKKA: Jordan’s jazz program is a great example of a place where that is fostered and you are allowed to be yourself. That is what I am passionate about too in general. People need to feel comfortable voicing their opinions and not trying to fit into molds others create, but being true to themselves.
LUKKA: every winter, for our concert, we play anime music and video game music. If you like playing music and want to join us next quarter, do that. If you just want to listen, come to the winter concert. I think I’ve said a lot that helps you understand what the program is like and what being in that classroom feels like. It is a lot of fun. Definitely show up.
