Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremey Poparad.
Hi Jeremey, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a musician and teacher in the Northeast Ohio area. I began playing guitar in high school and discovered an interest in jazz while playing in the school jazz band. I went to the University of Akron and earned two bachelor’s degrees in jazz studies and music composition. The next ten years I spent building up my performance career as a guitarist and a bassist as well as an educator, teaching private lessons and teaching part-time at local universities. In addition to working in jazz bands, musical theatre orchestras, and rock cover bands, I’ve led a number of my own groups that I also compose music for. I lead the progressive rock band Axon-Neuron, the gypsy jazz group Hot Club of Akron, and a classical-jazz hybrid group The Janus Ensemble. I eventually went back to school at Cleveland State University and earned two master’s degrees in jazz studies and music composition. It was here that I really discovered a love for orchestral double bass playing and since graduating, I’ve continued to play with The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently, I am working on my Ph.D. in music theory/composition at Kent State University and writing my dissertation on the psychoacoustic perception of chord roots. I’ve already presented some of my research at national and international academic conferences. Additionally, I’m performing frequently including regular tours throughout the US with the funk/soul band Bassel and the Supernaturals.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Building a career as a performer is a slow journey. Careers are mostly built on connections and reputations which require a long time to accumulate. I’ve been fortunate that I haven’t had to work a “real job” since I was 19, relying on teaching and performing to compile an income. As with anyone involved in the arts, there are always struggles with doubt and self-criticism, but I’ve tried to keep myself focused on goals that interest me, whether it’s writing and recording music for my bands, preparing for upcoming gigs, or just continuing to educate myself on all sorts of musical and non-musical topics.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a reputation as a very versatile musician who can make any situation work. I have a lot for a broad range of music so I’ve never wanted to confine myself to only being a “jazz musician” or a “rock musician” or so on. Performing is more than just the notes you play on the stage, though, so I’ve also made it a goal of mine to be an easy person to work with. It’s more enjoyable for everyone when you get to work with encouraging people with a good sense of humor, so I’ve always tried to make others feel welcome and relaxed on gigs. When I was first coming up in the local scene, I noticed that in certain musical circles the older generations could be pretty toxic to each other. I’ve made it a goal to always bring positivity to the stage and to never lose the excitement I had for music when I first wanted to learn to play.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I tend to be an open book, so most people who know me know me pretty well. That said, because I’m involved in so many different areas of music-making, many people get to know me only as a jazz guitarist or as an orchestral double bassist or as a teacher or so on and are quite surprised to find out that I’m equally comfortable wearing other musical hats.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.poparad.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fractalsarecool/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poparad/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChCBHMpCt3_TQj0ZqpiVLTg
