We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aaron Serfaty. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aaron below.

Hi Aaron, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Extremely happy! I can’t see myself doing anything else. I have been a professional musician for forty five years and have been teaching music at the college level for the twenty seven years. I cannot ask for anything more meaningful or rewarding.

Aaron, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a drummer and percussionist originally from Venezuela. In 1991 I came to Los Angeles to study at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) to study jazz under Albert “Tootie” Heath and Joe LaBarbera. I’ve had the opportunity to play with amazing musicians and artists like Oscar Hernandez, Otmaro Ruiz, Jon Anderson, Arturo Sandoval, Dori Caymmi and Sergio Mendes among many others. I have been lucky enough to record drums and/or percussion in Along Came Poly, Coco and Encanto. I am most proud of having been able to raise two amazing kids while playing/teaching music. I currently have a drum/percussion recording room where I can create tracks for other musicians.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society in general NEEDS to understand that just because they go to listen to music to have fun (therefore not working) doesn’t mean that the musicians are not working or don’t deserve to monetize their craft Which they have spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on) . I put the blame squarely on the shoulders of Napster and all the streaming services that are just leaches sucking the life out of musicians. People tend to think that because they’re not working, no one else is…

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The fact that I get to work with like-minded people to create music and give to the world a sense of beauty. Like Art Blakey said, “jazz washes away the dust of everyday life”.

Contact Info:

• Website: Aaronserfaty.com
• Instagram: @Serfaty_drums
• Linkedin: Aarón Serfaty
• Youtube: Aarón Serfaty drums and percussion

Image Credits
The first two were taken by me. the last two were taken by Craig Allen Photography