We were lucky to catch up with John Covelli recently and have shared our conversation below.

John, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was 10 years old when my parents’ friends asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, to which I responded “professional musician”. My dad followed me upstairs and asked me if I really wanted to do that, and I was pretty sure. He made it a point to explain how difficult that would be, not really telling me he didn’t want me to do it, but warning me that it would be a tough lifestyle. That is an indelible memory, and over the years I have often pondered what basis he had to tell me that. Since he passed away only 4 years later, I have never known what ideas he had about the life of a professional musician, as he knew none. I believe he was acting out of love and protection. I can tell myself “if he were alive today…” but that’s all a guess.

John, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

In 1983, I graduated high school in Peoria, IL and came to St Louis to attend Webster University. AS a Jazz Music Performance major, I met many musicians and played with bands. In grad school the band The Unconscious was becoming one of the most popular bands in the region. In 1989 we traveled to SXSW, New Orleans, New York, and Minneapolis, playing in venues such as Tippitina’s, CBGBs, and First Avenue. Upon the dissolution of that band and playing our last gig on New Year’s Eve, 1990, I put my music knowledge to good use in record store retail., sparking an interest in business.

The next 10 years were blessed by business employment and various stints in local bands, with marriage and children being the main focus. In 2003 after finishing my MBA in Finance, and re-connecting with a college friend Dave Simon, co-founded the very first Rock ‘n’ Roll school for kids in St. Louis.

Over the last 20 years since, although playing in many local bands, I had not ever produced my own album of recorded music until now. The brand I have created, Hard Bop Messengers is a jazz group and our album, Live At The Last Hotel, was inspired by our 6-month residency at a hotel in downtown St. Louis.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2001, following 9/11, the Enron/Stock Market decline, many businesses in St. Louis contracted. I was laid off from my corporate job in 2002, and went back into music full time, as a performer and teacher. Playing music 5 nights a week was invigorating, and I soon built up a studio of 20+ trombone students. During this period, I learned for the first time how to PRACTICE my instrument, as I taught my student how to find good habits of steady engagement with their trombone. Starting the Rock ‘n’ Roll school for kids also happened during this period of my career, where I was able to put to use my business acumen and pair it with my passion for music and watching young players develop.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As a child, my passion for music was easy to live out, however in high school, with the death of my father along with normal high school pressures, I believe I began to suffer from anxiety and depression. This is also when I began using drugs and alcohol to find relief for these things, convincing myself that drugs were a necessary part of “my creative process”. It took me decades to learn that neither drugs or alcohol helped me be a better person, much less a more creative artist or competent musician. Having been clean and sober for over 9 years now, I have become a better version of myself, a better husband and father, and gained confidence. Having the nerve to compose the music of Live At The Last Hotel, getting the guys to record it with me, produce it and bring it to market has been a life-changing experience. Processing this growth is ongoing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hardbopmessengers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hard_bop_messengers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardBopMessengers
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-covelli-mba-9196b87/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GiantSteps60
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO_zySl_enADGvYKqnS8svg

Image Credits
John Schmitt. Dawn Wilcox, Amiee Shank