On today’s Music Monday, we were joined by a world-famous pianist and composer who is this year’s artist and resident at Michigan State University’s Jazz Department.
Renee Rosnes joined Tati Amare to talk about what it means to be a part of the endowment program at MSU that teaches the next generation of jazz musicians.
The jazz pianist says it is wonderful and an opportunity for her to share her experience with the students. She says Rodney Whitiker has developed an amazing program at the university and the students are all very dedicated and enthusiastic.
Rosnes says she began playing the piano at an early age. She started taking classical lessons at three years old and got into jazz in high school through a passionate music director. She says when she attended college in Toronto she realized this was her passion and what she wanted to do in her life.
Rosnes says the piano is a prevalent instrument because of its versatility. She says it could be in an orchestra or in a solo, and there are so many wonderful musicians who are great pianist.
Watch the video above for full interview and performance by Renee Rosnes.