Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carlos Averhoff Jr.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Carlos , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Yes, I have been able persue my professional music careeer as full-time. My profesional career is divided in two main paths, a performer as a band leader – leading three main Jazz projects – and as a sideman – collaborating with other bands and well known artists – but also as a music educator. I feel that professionally my creative work needs to have that balance between performance and education in my life.
How I made it happen:
I think that one of the most important factors to achieve a full time status in music here in US is to know what you really want to do inside the music world. For example, a music producer, a band leader, a sideman etc…..
In my particular case, as a band leader I try to be as creative as I can, also is important to understand the new music business’ model of today. As a side man, I love to collaborate and learn from different artists and their music.
Being a music educator, not only requires love and dedication but also it requires a good percentage of creativity. The learning capacity from one student to another one varies. Understanding that will allow us to work wisely with each student.
Walking you through my journey:
Since my mother’s womb, music has been very close to me thanks to the presence of my late father, Carlos Averhoff Sr. – well known Cuban saxophonist and educator who was a long time member of the internationally renowned Cuban Band, Irakere.
I remember assisting to several rehearsal sessions of my father with Irakere band and other artists we collaborated with. Also, my father was very active at home practicing the saxophone or teaching privately. Definitely his influence has been an important factor of who I am today.
It was from day one?
Everything has an evolution and a it is a work in progress ( I always mention that to my students :- ).
In order to achieve personal goals, being focused, disciplined and knowing what you really want professinally is very important.
For example, since my 20th’s, I knew that I wanted to lead a musical project.
Furthermore, when I decided to pursue my musical studies here in US at Berklee College Of Music, I knew what music major I wanted to do and some of the teachers I wanted to learn from.
There are not major steps or milestones that I would have done differently. I feel I have achieve some important goals very quick despite the fact that I arrived to this country when I was 26th years old. I just wish I would have arrived to this country (USA) during my early 20th’s.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started to learn saxophone at the age of 10. I was classically trained at first until one day I decided to learn more about Jazz music. Also, decided to play the tenor Saxophone as my main musical voice. In classical music, I was only playing alto saxophone.
On my 19ths, after finishing my musical studies in Cuba, I started a 5 years journey working and touring professionally but as a side man with a couple of popular AfroCuban bands and very well known Dance band. I consider I was very fortunate to have all this experiences very early in my life.
During 2006, at the age of 26th, another cycle of my life began. I was fortunate to arrive to USA and joined my late father who was not Cuban or around the the family from 1997.
Performing along with my father on an AfroCuban Jazz project was a dream come true!
We had a lot of fun while we played together down in Miami, Florida.
In 2008, a school I always dreamed to study at, Berklee College Of Music, offered me a full scholarship in order to pursue my Bachelors Degree.
There I had the opportunity to learn dabout Jazz, it’s history, the language. I feel fortunate the learned from great teachers and artists.
In 2011, I decided to pursue my Masters Degree at the New England Conservatory. There, I had the opportunity to study with one of my saxophone idols, Mr. Jerry Bergonzi – very well known internationally. He is Jazz Saxophonist and educator with a long list of recordings and several books..
Being able to study at Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory gave me the opportunity to not only learn from great Jazz artists and educators but also I had the opportunity to collaborate with well known “Resident Artists”, giving me a good amount of exposure. For example, Jimmy Cobb (drummer of Miles Davis’ Kind Of Blue album), hall or fame Cuban pianist, Chucho Valdes, Jazz pianist Jason Morant, drummer Louis Hayes and the list goes on an on :-)
What type of work you provide:
I consider my musical work (and mission) as a representation of where I’m coming from and what my roots are. I’m native from Cuba . I consider my work and the music I create as an extension of Afrocuban Jazz and tradition. We can call it “Modern AfroCuban Jazz” because I have in my music not only Cuban music and tradition influence but also a lot the American Jazz language.
For example if a reader (of this interview) or Jazz follower type my name ( Carlos Averhoff Jr. ) in google or by visiting my website: www.averhoffjr.com will notice influences and personality related to my artist’s profile.
Furthermore on Spotify just typing my name you will find my three albums, Iresi (2015), iQba (2018) and recently launched, Together (2022). Those three productions will be able offer to the listener different musical color and taste on my music :-)
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I really think that not only music but the art in general represents an important role in our society. It would help tremendously to our country.
Today days exist a lot of “Non Profit Organizations” supporting the art in USA. But I know there is more to be done in order to support the art in general. For example, I’m convinced that if the economic system of this country is more concerned about “Arts’ Preservation” and applies a system that for example, France (in Europe) has today, our society will definitely make a step forward towards being more educated and more sensitive in general.
In other words, “Love” will gain even more strength in our society :-)
Honestly, the way that our society could do better for the arts is not only the society’s conciousness to support it. It think that a considerable percentage in hands of our economic and political system, it is hands of our leaders :-)
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Absolutely, I do have a mission!
As an educator, through out my teaching I want to bring to my students the sense of discipline, responsibility and enhance their selfstime.
With my music I want to bring tge audience and to this society love, happiness and positivity.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.averhoffjr.com
- Instagram: @averhoffjr
- Facebook: Carlos Averhoff Jr.
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/5GvBzfKsf3M
Image Credits
Miguel Ángel Fernandez @craftmadephotography