John Kizilarmut spent his formative years bouncing around the Midwest and Texas, eventually landed in Kansas City. He has become a first-call drummer, percussionist, vibraphonist and composer/arranger in KC’s vibrant music scene, playing with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, Hermon Mehari, and many more of the area’s world-class talents. He has also maintained teaching duties as an adjunct faculty member at multiple colleges. In this interview, John talks about:
How his first year of college shaped his work ethic
His lesser-known but masterful and influential mentors including Al Sergel, Kevin Bobo and Doug Auwarter (read an article on Doug here).
His heavy focus on marimba and orchestral percussion in college, and how the college environment can blind musicians to the wider world of musical possibilities/opportunities.
The deep understanding of jazz and swing held by Kansas City musicians and audiences.
How Kansas City’s fierce pride in its rich musical history is balanced with its openness to all kinds of music, and its embrace of a younger generation of musicians creating new and original music.
Listen to John on Soundcloud!