Arts on the Hill: John D'earth

Tuesday, September 17• 5:30-6:30pm (doors open at 5pm) • Carr’s Hill • Drinks & Snacks •  FREE by Lottery

John D’earth plays trumpet with a striking, original sound and a technique that he mobilizes for spitfire improvisation and gripping melodies. A consummate jazz artist, composer, and gifted educator, he draws inspiration from collaborators on the bandstand, from students, and from nature. Internationally known for his contributions in straight-ahead jazz (D’earth served as foil to guitarist Emily Remler, added brawn to the George Gruntz Big Band, and played on Bob Moses’ early recordings) he exhibits omnivorous musical tastes including free improvisation, mainstream rock, and modern classical music. Since he joined the musicians union at age fourteen this wildly eclectic musician has performed across the globe. He appears on over 100 recordings on vinyl, CDs, film, and video in a career that spans the analogue and digital eras. Despite a commanding musical presence he possesses an uncanny ability to bring out the best in musicians with whom he shares the bandstand. All of this is evident on his newly released album, Coin Of The Realm, (Cosmology Records 2023). This song cycle of originals, recorded with his long-standing quintet, reveals a musician who, in his seventies, is still evolving and very much in his creative prime. 

D'earth’s recordings as a leader for Vanguard Records, ENJA Records, DoubleTime Jazz, and his own Cosmology label reflect an eclectic, searching nature, rooted in the entirety of the jazz tradition and a trumpet sensibility that owes as much to Louis Armstrong as to Lee Morgan and Miles Davis. The list of top-flight musicians he has played with presents it’s own syllabus of jazz genealogies; they include Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Gunter Hampel’s Galaxie Dream Band, Miles Davis/Quincy Jones at Montreaux, Tito Puente, Emily Remler, Bennie Wallace, Eddie Gomez, The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band (European and China tours), Bob Moses, Pat Metheny, Joe Henderson, Clark Terry, John Abercrombie, and John Scofield,  as well as pop stars Bruce Hornsby, Bonnie Raitt, and Dave Matthews.

D’earth has a reputation as an extraordinary teacher. He shines jamming with fifth grade bucket drummers at a Charlottesville public school, busking with middle school kids,  instructing highlighly skilled undergraduate and graduate students, and coaching emerging professional artists. He is the Director of Jazz Performance at the University of Virginia where he teaches improvisation, jazz trumpet, jazz composition, and directs the UVA Jazz Ensemble. His teaching practice centers improvisation as a way of learning music, making music, and moving through the world; this allows him to work effectively with very young children, with beginners, and with non-musicians in contexts that range from co-operative primary schools to corporate leadership retreats. Continue here >

UVA Faculty, Staff, & Students: All UVA faculty, staff, and students can enter the lottery (one submission per person). 

Lottery: All UVA faculty, staff, and students are eligible to enter the lottery, with preference given to UVA students. The deadline to register is 11:59pm on Friday, September 13. 

Questions or Concerns: Email Emma Terry, Programs & Communication Director for UVA Arts, or Gracelyn Spates, Coordinator, Major Events.

Arts on the Hill is a recurring event on Carr's Hill featuring artists and scholars from our faculty and student body, as well as visiting artists and scholars from around the globe. President Jim Ryan hosts guests each month during the academic year for performances and discussions around the Arts at UVA with FREE drinks and snacks to boot!! Arts on the Hill is an ongoing collaboration between UVA Arts, the Office of the President & the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.