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

Jean, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but this was not always the case. When I graduated from Manhattan School of Music, I was not working enough to financially support myself as a trumpet artist/composer. I was living with my mother and fell into depression. I felt lost and unsure of what to do besides practice and go to jam sessions. That’s when a cousin came into my life and offered my to move in with him in Delray Beach, FL. He was buying, renovating, and selling properties at the time. He offered to train me in his real estate practices, so that I could do it on my own in the future. I was playing very little during this period. After a while of working with him, he started to deviate form the plan and so I decided to move to Florida in order to get back into music, I applied for a Masters degree so that I could teach at the college level one day. While obtaining my masters at FIU, I decided to prepare to make the transition from student to working artist. I focused on entrepreneurship, It worked, and this time, upon graduation, I was working enough to support myself as an artist. I realized that the music programs do not help fully prepare you for this transition into the work force. And so I took it upon myself to learn and apply what it took to be an artist able to earn a full-time living. I continued to develop my performance skills, took private lessons, studied my environment, and networked to create enough work opportunities. I also participated in masterclasses and competitions in order to increase my visibility.

Jean, 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 got into the industry through my talent as a musician. My passion for music was evident early on, which led my family and educators to encourage me to apply for programs which helped me develop as a trumpet artist. One scholarship led to the next and before I knew it I was being flown across the country to perform with the best High School students Jazz musicians in the nation. The services I now provide as a performing artists are both live and in studio. From my home studio, the instruments I can record are trumpet, flugelhorn, valve trombone, conch shell, keyboard, whistle, & bottle. I compose, produce, arrange music. In addition I also teach private lessons, masterclasses, and music theory. What sets me apart from others is a rich, distinctive sound on my instrument and a rhythmic approach rooted in my Haitian heritage. I am most proud of surviving the non-holistic teaching approaches/practices emphasized in the American schools. My music is a blend on my American upbringing and Haitian roots. I want people to hear my original music and be encouraged to accept themselves completely while nurturing the artist within us all.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is accepting who you are while discovering how amazing you can be through discipline and an open mind.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to inspire and uplift through my music. I do this as a composer, performer, and trumpet artist. In the future I plan to add my singing voice into the mix. I will continue to use music as a galvanizing tool as a cultural ambassador.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jeancaze.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeancaze/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeancaze
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JeanCaze
• Other: https://jeancaze.bandcamp.com

Image Credits

Lessa Richards