‘Why Wouldn’t You Choose The Saxophone?’
UConn Jazz Student Michael Farina Is On His Way, See Him While You Can
University of Connecticut junior Michael Farina is one of the region’s top emerging jazz musicians (Contributed photo)
Like many college students, Michael Farina isn’t exactly sure of how he will live his story after he graduates. But Michael is one of those rare talents who may not be able to only live that story, but to be able to write it, too.
One of the highlights of scouting out the great musicians who ply their trade here in the 8495 is to come upon young practitioners who may very well someday be considered among the most accomplished of their art. Michael, who plays tenor saxophone, is well on his way to joining that group.
How talented is he? Well, he snagged one of six Outstanding Undergraduate Performance awards from Downbeat – as a freshman – at the University of Connecticut.
Now a junior, Michael doubles down on the art of personal expression with double majors – jazz studies and English. He ended up at UConn for several reasons, one among them the fact the university was very welcoming to his idea of pursuing a double major, and had the resources to accommodate him in both areas.
He also lauds UConn assistant professor of jazz studies John Mastroianni, who has helped him pursue excellence not only with his instrument but also with his pen; John gave Michael the opportunity to write a two-part series on John Coltrane for the Connecticut Music Educators’ Association journal.
“He is a real teacher and real musician,” Michael told 8495Jazz. “He has that combination of the two, with so much experience in both fields. And he loves to teach. Being able to foster a relationship with a professor like that is meaningful.”
Michael admits he has been extremely fortunate throughout his playing years in being blessed with extraordinary teachers. Though born and raised in the Hudson River town of Ossining, Michael was educated at Scarsdale schools, where his mother teaches English. He credits his middle school music teachers, Nick Lieto and Jessica Slotwinski, with really lighting the fire to excel under him.
“They were spectacular,” Michael said. “They are the nicest people on the planet and so enthusiastic.”
Though he started playing the saxophone in 4th grade – he chose the instrument “because why wouldn’t you choose the saxophone?” – it was being immersed in Mr. Lieto’s class that really sparked his ambition.
“My first year in middle school, I couldn’t read anything above G above the staff, I couldn’t read sharps or flats, and Mr. Lieto was very patient with me and encouraged me to join the jazz band for the next year. Right before Covid hit there were 50 kids in there, which tells you all you need to know about him as a teacher, that he can get 50 middle schoolers to be there at 7:30 on a Friday morning to rehearse.”
Nick also started his students very early on maximizing their own creativity by encouraging improvisational skills from the get-go.
“He spent a lot of time on the blues scale, the pentatonic scale, just getting kids improvising. I’ve heard stories of band directors who tell the kids just to play written solos. Not encouraging kids to improvise is a shame.”
The early familiarity and comfort with truly learning how to express himself through improv has helped him become comfortable playing with much more experienced musicians. For instance, he headlined a gig in November at Hartford’s Blackeyed Sally’s with UConn director of jazz studies Earl MacDonald, UMass-Amherst bass professor Fumi Tomita, and Hartford-based drummer Akin Hobson.
“The great thing about playing with people who are such pros and who are so experienced is that as an improviser they make you feel totally comfortable,” Michael said. “There’s a lot of stuff you don’t have to worry about. They have a way of bringing ideas out of you without forcing you to go in a specific direction, without making you do something or go somewhere you don’t want to go. There’s a certain freedom that comes with experience and that makes it really inspiring to play with those people.”
In the long run, he’s uncertain about where his journey will take him, though he leans toward sticking around the New York City area, perhaps to go to graduate school.
“I feel I need to hang around that area a bit and see what’s going on,” he said. “And even if writing about jazz is not a main thing I do, I’m sure I’ll probably end up writing a bunch as well.”
In the short run, though, jazz fans can take in his talent on campus, where he plays with the big band and several ensembles, at the Wednesday night jams at Blackeyed Sally’s and the monthly third Tuesday Paisley Ramirez memorial jams at Carmine’s in East Hartford.
Because who doesn’t like to tell a good “I saw him when” story?
Michael Farina, who, as one might suspect is a big John Coltrane fan, led a quartet of professional musicians at Blackeyed Sally’s in November, here playing “Up ‘Gainst The Wall.”
Out and About with 8495Jazz
To alleviate confusion, ticket prices quoted now mention service fees as included or as additional; if fees are not mentioned, there are none to our knowledge. Because fees differ according to ticket type, service fee amounts are not included here but are available on venue web sites.
These listings are a curated sampling of shows in the region. As an independent resource for jazz news, 8495Jazz does not receive any consideration, free tickets, or affiliate fees for these listings. Please confirm events are still happening directly with the venue.
8495Jazz Wild Card Gig of the Week
Side Door Jazz Club, Old Lyme, CT
Sean Mason Quartet, Friday, March 14, 8 pm. GA $54.45 including service fee, students $22.68 including service fee.
North Carolina native Mason caught the ear of both Branford and Wynton Marsalis several years ago and it has been a rocket ride ever since. His quartet, including dynamic trumpeter Tony Glausi, is a groove machine. The entire 8495Jazz staff will be there.
Hometown Grammy Celebration
Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT
Celebrating the Curtis Brothers’ Best Latin Jazz Grammy: Real Art Ways, in partnership with the Greater Hartford Arts Council, Hartford Jazz Society, Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Artists Collective, WWUH, Jackie McLean Institute at The Hartt School and Hartford Public Library, hosts a celebration of Zaccai Curtis’s Cubop Lives!. Sat., March 15, 7 pm. $26.50 GA including service fee, $11.50 students including service fee.
8495Jazz Spur Of The Moment Gig TODAY
Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
Baby Grand Jazz doubleheader, Aja Moyé (vocals, combo), 1:30 pm; Tony Davis (guitar, combo), 3 pm. Free.
Other Shows This Week
Elicit Brewing Co., Manchester, CT
Hartford Jazz Orchestra with special guest Steve Davis (trombone), Monday, March 10, 7:30 pm. Free.
VFW Post 399, Westport, CT
Melissa Newman (vocals, combo), Thursday, March 13, 7:30 and 8:45 pm. 7:30 show $20.76 GA, $15.76 student/veteran. 8:45 show $10.76.
Brown University, Providence, RI
Jazz Combos concert, Tuesday, March 11, 7 pm. Free.
Brown Jazz Band 37th Brudner Memorial Concert featuring Joe Lovano (sax, combo), Friday, March 14, 7 pm (Jazz Talk), 8 pm concert. GA $25, seniors (65+) $10.
The Parlour, Providence, RI
Clear Audience (combo), today, 6 pm. $10, all ages.
Jazz Forum, Tarrytown, NY
Javon Jackson Quartet (sax, combo), Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15, 7 and 9:30 pm. GA $35 plus service fee.
The Falcon, Marlboro, NY
Glen David Andrews (New Orleans trombone), Friday, March 14, 7:30 pm. $30 suggested donation.
Firehouse 12, New Haven, CT
Billy Drummond’s Freedom of Ideas (drums, combo), Friday, March 14. 8:30 pm ($20) and 10 pm ($15).
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT
Latin Jazz, Jazz Standards and Blues Ensembles, Wednesday, March 12, 7:30 pm. Free.
Jams
Cafe Nine, New Haven CT
New Haven Jazz Underground jam, usually 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month: free admission
Saturday jazz jam most Saturdays, 4 pm. Free.
Blackeyed Sally’s, Hartford, CT
Jazz Wednesdays, featured set 7 pm, jam session afterward.
Carmine’s, East Hartford, CT
Paisley’s All Star Memorial Jam, 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:30 pm. House band set followed by jam. Free.
Jazz Societies and Organizations (great info on events, festivals, and more)
Jazz Society of Fairfield County
Jazz Fridays at Three Sheets New Haven 1st/3rd Fridays from 6-9pm
Jazz Thursdays at The Cannon New Haven every other Thurs from 7-9pm.
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Thanks so much for the spotlight, Greg!