John D’earth’s Retirement

D’earth performing Casco, Maine 2008

Two weeks ago, The Daily Progress, Charlottesville’s local newspaper, featured one of the most inspiring retirement announcements I’ve ever read. John D’earth—the legendary jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and director of jazz performance at UVa—officially “retired” this past December.

I took John’s jazz improvisation class as an undergraduate at UVa, and one of my first dates with my wife was at Miller’s downtown, where one of John’s bands was playing. He still holds a standing Thursday night gig from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

D’earth is a rare talent who has played alongside jazz greats like Miles Davis, Emily Remler, and Buddy Rich while also mentoring members of the Dave Matthews Band. Yet his true calling has always been that of a lifelong student and teacher—and retirement hasn’t changed that. If anything, he seems to be accelerating. He’s learning new instruments (piano and drums), continuing his volunteer work with the Walker Upper Elementary School band, and maintaining a busy performance schedule.

Beyond my loose personal connection to D’earth and my love of jazz, I was struck by the universal themes he touched on while reflecting on his career and transition into “retirement.” These quotes stood out:

D'earth had a packed studio to clear out, which he called "dealing with the archaeological sites of your life… there have been a lot of peak experiences. It's almost like flying off a cliff into the next stage of life."

"Making music is the psychological equivalent of jumping out of a plane or snowboarding down an ice cliff. You feel like you are about to be harmed, but you're not. Learning to confront fear? It's a daily thing. Prince said being cool is never feeling different, no matter who you're talking to… Sometimes when I sing, I feel free, and sometimes I feel uptight. I'll get there. I'll get there by doing it. I'll fake it until I make it."

"We're all trying to evolve as performers. Dizzy [Gillespie] said, "Every day, you open the horn and say, 'Today I will win,' but you never do. I tell my students to learn from each other, and I learn from them… A lot of us suffer from 'smart person's disease.' If you think that if you thought of something in your brain, you've mastered it, you haven't."

"I get really excited when I see somebody enjoying music," he said. "Most students are holding themselves back through fear and low self-image. I can fight that. If you sound good in the practice room, you're doing something wrong."

"A good teacher will always hope for students to surpass him," D'earth said. "I have many students who have surpassed me in craft, and I have to just laugh and give it up. It's just the way it is, and it's awesome."

I encourage you to read the full article here.