127 – Justin Chesarek: Rustbelt Roots, Branching Out from Jazz, Leaving a Gig on Good Terms for the Future

Justin Chesarek has lived in Atlanta for almost a decade, where he has played with various jazz artists including Gary Motley,Joe Gransden, and singer/songwriter Sam Burchfield. Justin also teaches at two area universities, Kennesaw State and Emory. He grew up near Pittsburgh which, despite its rustbelt identity, has always had a rich music scene and has recently evolved into a more cosmopolitan city. He stayed close to home for college, attending Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. Grad school brought him to Atlanta in 2007 and he earned a master’s degree in jazz from Georgia State.

His recent trip to Alaska, and finding ways to put yourself in a good headspace to perform, especially while on the road

Creating jazz tunes with relatable titles and content

The early influence of The Beatles, and the first jazz records he listened to

His first performance experiences at age 12, sitting in with his teacher’s bands at bars on school nights

Notable jazzers from Pittsburgh including Art Blakey, Roger Humphries, Ahmad Jamal and Sean Jones

How the Atlanta scene, especially the drumming community, is very high level without being too competitive

Rediscovering his passion for rock drumming, and putting in the work to sound authentic on it

Transitioning out of a gig in a positive way when life moves in a certain direction

The differences between the two college programs he teaches in, and what each requires of him as an educator

His hobby of photography, and how it can further enrich the experience of traveling for music

Justin endorses Vic Firth Drumsticks