We recently connected with Zan Waller and have shared our conversation below.

Zan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

I was in the military (Army/Navy) for 22 years, the story goes like this…. After a year and a half of college I had stumbled into the opportunity to audition as a musician in the Army music program. Which really put me on a path of growth, musically and of life lessons …
I retired in 2017 and am still on a path of growth as musician and better myself as a person…
Music and life are both paths like [similar to or part of] that of enlightenment. You don’t actually reach the end it’s a quest that has no end goal… ever growing, moving, and changing.
Here I am ever changing and growing…

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 grew up in the 80s listening to all sorts of music from Opera to more modern classical genres… to The Beatles, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac and (especially) jazz! From Duke Ellington to Miles Davis and everything between… from more esoteric to the straight ahead dance bands.

In school and later the Military music programs (Army & Navy), I developed a real appreciation for wind band music (being that is a large tradition in military music).
Through my career in the military I learned flexibility and tenacity. I realized that eventhough music is a passion for me, much of the audience does not share the same heart for it, as i and many musicians do.
To many, music is simply an entertainment. Momentarly captivating them or even, just a background.
I now recognize that often when we perform at venues we are no more or less important than a “buss boy”. We provide a service needed for that moment… in that place, whatever it is… and…
That is ok…!
Because without the need for our “service” we wouldn’t have a gig.
I like have gigs and opportunities to perform my craft.

Our “brand” or service is primarily that of jazz. Which at times can be a hard sell.
We play jazz classics of the Great American Songbook… along with other styles of pop and rock but somewhat modified to fit the jazz or Great American Songbook genre.
At times it is a hard sell when venues are used to folk, country, and cover bands … lol! We are nothing like that…
That said aside from our specialized music style we make a point to be entertaining. By talking with and involving or audience with banter and “schtick”… After all, our service is entertainment.! Not just music to listen to.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

That is a deep question, … ” what can society do” … [?].

The main and possibly impossibility to be changed …
“People” at large must realize that everything they think, like, do… is a result of programming. Even the music they listen to.
They should open up to “reprogramming” of new music so to speak and try new or different listening experiences.
A “cowboy” should go to the ballet or Opera… the Metal Head should go listen to a string quartet… etc… etc…
As a jazz musician I can appreciate (and I do) many styles of music… not just what “society” or the music industry [in truth] tells me to listen to and thus appreciate or like.

Get out side of your comfort box… but this requires people to look outside of what is easy and question their programming.
It is a much greater and deeper issue than just as it pertains to music.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I get to perform a style of music many people don’t come in contact with. In a way so as to interest people who would not otherwise listen to jazz [styled] music.

Contact Info:

• Website: mixedbagjazz.com
• Instagram: mixedbagjazz
• Facebook: Mixed Bag Jazz