44 lic courier • february 2013 • www.queenscourier.com MUSIC Josh Deutsch loves jazz. appreciates all the jazz greats. Deutsch’s life — in every component. Teaching, when coinciding with performing, is one of Deutsch’s favorite parts of music as he helps his students explore the technical and creative aspects of jazz. While telling his students they need to develop their ear, Deutsch says he himself will start to do the same when rehearsing. At the same time, watching students improvise and write their fi rst pieces is personally rewarding. But it isn’t necessarily Miles Davis’ skills as a trumpeter Deutsch says he tries to emulate. Rather, it’s Davis’ ability to arrange a select group of musicians with varying styles that all come together. An example he cites is “Miles Smiles,” Davis’ 1967 album, which featured pianist Herbie Hancock, saxophonist Wayne Shorter, drummer Tony Williams and bassist Ron Carter. Davis’ desire to fi nd the exact sound he wanted drove him to forming some of the most storied groups in music history. “The way that he set up the group, the conception for a band – idea for the overall sound he wanted,” he said almost at a loss of words to describe Davis’ abilities. He has in part brought this dynamic to one of his groups: Pannonia, which he describes as “a very New York band.” The five-man ensemble is made up of violinist Zach Brock, trombonist Brian Drye, bassist Gary Wang and percussionist Ronen Itzik. Deutsch, when composing for the group, considers what each member’s style is and uses it as a base for each musician’s innovation. Photos courtesy of Daniel Sheehan and Erika Kapin BRINGING JAZZ ‘Overground’ He can speak to it in excess, understands it and Originally a pianist before switching to trumpet, jazz is BY TERENCE M. CULLEN
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