Meet Jevaughn Bogard of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jevaughn Bogard.

Hi Jevaughn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My mom put me in classical piano lessons around 5 years old.bi continued piano to about 11 or so. That’s when I picked up the saxophone and took lessons on both. While I was in elementary school my summer music program teacher offered me a chance to apply for Cleveland School of the Arts in Cleveland,OH.

From there my love for jazz music took off and i began playing in the Tri-C All Stars big band and the All City Program. Once I got 15 years old I moved over to the Music School Settelement where I was offered a full scholarship to the Berklee 5 week program along with a college scholarship.

In 2011 I graduated Cleveland Schoold of the Arts and started attending Oberlin College. In 2013 I had a major heart surgery and had to leave school. Soon after my recovery I got picked up to go on the road with a band from Syracuse,NY called Sophistafunk.

I toured with them around the country for about a year then I headed back home to work locally on the scene. In that time til now I’ve either shared the stage or recorded for artist like Chick Corea, Benny Golson, Sean Jones, Durrand Burnar (Recording), Beyonce(Recording), Kim Burrell, Red Hands (Recording), Big Daddy Kane, Mark Lettieri,Cory Henry, Marcus King , Music Soulchild, DJ Kid Capri, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Anita Wilson, Charlie Wilson, Button Masher (Recording) , Montell Jordan,Dan Wilson (Recording) ,Tye Tribett ,Jake Owens , Rufus Reed, Marcus Belgrave, Ray Angry and many more.

In 2021 I started my own band Abstract Sounds. Were a 4pc jazz fusion / funk band out of Cleveland,Ohio. Since 2021 we’ve been blessed to perform at the Tri-C Jazzz Fest, Akron Rubber City Jazz Festival, Oberlin College, Coventry Arts Fest, tour the east coast in NYC , Philly and just recently hit Chicago.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Well being a band leader where im 2.5 hours away is difficult. When we first started the gigs didn’t pay well at all , i didn’t have a car so I was on the greyhound every weekend and I was losing a lot of money. Finding the right musicians and people who actually see your vision. I’ve went through about 10 different that I brought in that didn’t work with us.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Im a professional saxophonist and band leader. Im known for being a cool and understanding band leader. Also im known to get my business done. Im proud of starting my band and being able to perform my original music.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Im a very simple guy. As long as I have my family , health , a little money to get by and my music im ok.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abstractsoundsofficial?igsh=MWczODUzOXphYnp2cA==
• Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/abstractsoundsofficial