A Universe of Serendipity
JAZZED UP members: Ed Conley (left), Mauro DePasquale (Center), and Phil Madison (right)
Mauro DePasquale is a multiple award-winning jazz artist, popular local television host, entertainer, and a highly recognized community luminary. We had the opportunity to learn more about his inspirations, artistic approach, and recent endeavors before his performance with JAZZED UP at atac on January 26, 2024.
atac: Hi Mauro! Can you share more about your early experiences with music and how it influenced your decision to become a musician?
Mauro DePasquale: My father very rarely played the coronet. When he did it was always entertaining. Music was always playing in our house. As a young child around 9 years old, a neighbor gave my parents an upright player piano. I was drawn to it. Once the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, that was it! I knew I'd be a musician.
atac: What drew you to jazz?
MD: Music was always a part of my life. While working 3 shifts, I obtained a Bachelors of Music at Anna Maria College and a Masters in Composition at Boston Conservatory. I played all sorts of genres but was always interested in jazz. I found it the most fulfilling.
atac: Could you elaborate on your experiences at the El Morocco Restaurant and how it shaped your perspective on music and performance?
MD: I was a frequent performer and visitor of the former El Morocco Restaurant. The "EL" had a lounge where I would play top 40, but it also had a stage for top Jazz Artists. Luminaries Frank Sinatra, Al Pacino, Mario Puzzo, Record executives, etc, would often visit. The music, the jazz, was always amazing. Inspirational jazz legends such as Dave McKenna, Boots Mussulli, and Chet Baker, some of my favorite entertainers from around the world. The food was great too. It was THE place to be.
atac: What inspired your foray into television work, and how has the combination of TV and music become a passion for you?
MD: I was introduced to Television work in the late 1980s. I fell in love with mixing TV and Music. It became a passion that led me to over 35 years in the TV industry. Today I am Executive Director of WCCA TV a local Worcester TV station. I am also the founder of the Central Mass Jazz Fest, a production that benefits the TV Station I work at.
atac: How did the transition from the JOHNNY DOLLAR EXPERIMENT to JAZZED UP come about?
JAZZED UP is an outgrowth from an earlier band the JOHNNY DOLLAR EXPERIMENT. JDEX covered strictly songs from the 60's deconstructed them and transformed them into almost avant-garde jazz. We loved playing these works, however they may have been too outside for general audiences. Now JAZZED UP has won numerous Best Jazz Awards. We were recently nominated Best Jazz in the Worcester Pulse Music Awards 2023.
atac: How do you approach challenges and setbacks in your musical career, and what have you learned from them?
MD: Life is a universe of serendipity. Following your passion blindly, you are bound to stumble or hit a wall. I take it as a learning experience, a chance to improve. You have to take the good and the bad in order to grow. It's the minor things that get me sometimes—getting home late at night with a car full of equipment, and driving through a terrible snowstorm. Or as I remember one of my worst moments was being late, ONCE, for a gig. It was horrible for me I'm very time driven. I am a stickler for being on time. My day job at a TV station is based on being on time. Production times, studio times, show times, channel scheduling times, etc. Naturally, time is important to me.
atac: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians, especially those trying to balance their passion with practical responsibilities?
MD: Do it because you love it first. Follow your passion blindly, and trust in the gifts God has given you. See where it leads you. For the most part, I have done this with the mantra "no future without risk". If you have to pay the rent also know it's okay to press the pause button to temporarily adjust, to make the money you need to get to follow your passion responsibly.
atac: Could you share some of your recent endeavors?
I am always looking for opportunities to collaborate, and new projects to participate in. Lately, I find myself working on "jazzifing" 60's, and country tunes. Stay tuned.
atac: Let us know what we can expect from the performance at atac!
MD: JAZZED UP Presents a romantic blend of jazz classics, originals, and American Songbook favorites. Featuring Phil Madison on Acoustic Bass, Ed Conley on Drums, and Me, Mauro DePasquale, vocalist/pianist.
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Don’t miss JAZZED UP performing at atac on January 26, 2024!
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