Critically acclaimed jazz flugelhornistDmitri Matheny opened the 2015–16 Bullock Performance Institute’s concert series last week, leading a quartet in a concert featuring WMU professor Tom Knific on bass, Gene Knific on piano, and Sean Dobbins on drums.
A protégé of Art Farmer, Dmitri Matheny and Tom Knific discuss the meaningfulness of being mentored, and becoming a mentor. Knific remembers what stood out about Matheny when he taught him as a young student at the Interlochen Arts Academy. They also discuss the concept of "jazz standards" from an inside perspective.
Matheny has appeared on over 120 jazz albums, including ten as leader. His latest, to be released later this year, is called Jazz Noir, a "fresh spin on film noir, spy thrillers, crime dramas, new works and jazz classics."