We were lucky to catch up with Ron Dziubla recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ron, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I’ve always been a musician. I started piano lessons at five. I was getting in trouble in kindergarten so Mrs. Pearson (my kindergarten teacher) recommended to my parents that I take piano lessons. In the sixth grade I started on saxophone and that was the beginning of my serious studies in music. I took to the horn naturally, finding success in middle school and high school. In college, the study of the craft became even more intense for me being a saxophone major. Having an incredible teacher in college was important, as it is to anyone who wants to play an instrument. A knowledgeable and inspiring instructor is a great pathway to success on any instrument. However, by the time I was finished with school, I was ready to study on my own. I had my goals as a saxophonist. It is truly important to understand where you want to be with the instrument so you know where you’re going. Its a light for you to follow through the darkness on your way to personal success. Keeping your end goal in mind along with shorter term goals along the way–these you can set with the assistance of your instructor–is especially important. Practicing cannot be done in a vacuum. It has to be in pursuit of short and long term goals. Consistency is the most important part of learning the craft. Everyday most would say. I say six days a week. One day a week you have to get away from it all. Looking back, there were times in which I felt held up a bit. I believe it had to do with my career planning. I wish I had focused more on myself as an artist rather than someone who delivers for other artists and producers. Concerning how long all of this takes–if you’re consistent in your practice you’ll get there, but I don’t think you can speed up the process. It takes time. It truly is a lifetime pursuit.

Ron, 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’m a saxophonist, composer, and a musician. I’ve been very fortunate in my career, having had the opportunity to see the world with many amazing artists, everyone from Ricky Martin and Chayanne to Joe Bonamassa and Duane Eddy. I’ve been a part of the Celebrating David Bowie from its days in the clubs of LA to touring the world with a band that has included Adrian Belew and Todd Rundgren. I’m a recording musician, having played on Grammy and Latin Grammy winning and nominated records, besides making my own records as an artist myself.

I got into the industry by saying “yes.” I practiced like crazy, got out into the clubs, played with who I could, and went from gig to gig to gig. I said “yes” as much as possible. There are no secrets. I just got out and played and had a good time. I think its still the same. Sound good. Make friends. Your friends will call you. Try and get your friends a gig sometime too. Appreciate the gig. Be over-prepared. Be a problem solver. Be solution oriented and try to understand what everyone around you is going through.

When I tour I also play guitar and keyboards, sometimes sing some background vocals. The touring business for a musician is all about being as useful as you can be. You can’t sit around. You’ll get replaced by someone who can be busier than you on the tour.

I’m about playing rock and roll and pop, R&B and blues. I compose. It comes out more like Booker T than bop. I don’t call it jazz. It’s noir. Its rock and roll in the spirit of the honking tenor greats, such as King Curtis, Jr. Walker, and Lee Allen. I’ve had my sax playing described as “paint peeling blasts of sax” and “his horn skulks around dark corners like a Raymond Chandler villain searching for an easy mark.” I try to create pieces that showcase how I play and allow me to truly make my statement on the horn.

As a sideman, I’m most proud of who I’ve been able to play with, as the genres have been quite diverse: Blues, Rock and Roll, Rockabilly, Latin Pop, Swing. Although I do have my preferences, I love it all.

In addition to all of this, I’m an administrator at Musicians Institute in Hollywood California, taking care of issues of accreditation and compliance for the college. I use both sides of my brain to make it all happen. I believe in using all of my talents as I pursue a full, complete, and satisfying work life. I’m always busy, never bored!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Artists and creatives don’t become artists and creatives because of the fantastic employee benefits package. They do so because the desire and need to be artistic and creative has been inside of them since their beginning. It is who they are. When parents are worried about their children wanting to take the path of an artist, I always like to remind them that to me, true disappointment is when people do not know who they are or why they are in the world, or what they’re meant to do. Artists and creatives who are in pursuit of their art never have a lost day or a wasted minute. They are living the lives they were meant to live, Nothing is more satisfying no more how hard the struggle.

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

At the beginning of 2010, I was set to be on a world tour that was to last at least a year, possibly a year and a half. At the last minute, myself and much of the band was let go. Who knows why, money is probably the reason, but it didn’t matter. At that point I had turned down all work for the year. A friend had been asking me to teach at Musicians Institute in Hollywood for a long time. I always turned it down, as I was always on tour. Finally I said yes. I was hired at the college and I asked for as much work as they could possibly give me. The opportunity to work at the college provided stability for my family and it gave me a second career in higher education. I taught, I wrote curriculum, I became an administrator. I went back to college for a Master of Arts in Education. I use both sides of my brain. I use all of my talents to the fullest. When my touring days ended, I thought that to survive in LA I would have to run my life like a van tour–any days off and you’re losing money! After over a decade at the college I’m still doing it, I rarely have a day off, but I am always doing what I love to do!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rondziubla.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rondziubla/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rondziubla/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rondziubla/
• Twitter: https://x.com/AngrySax
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rondziubla
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/rondziubla

Image Credits

Mike Skillsky. Photo credit main image.