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Unification Through Music | Dominick Faranacci | TEDxSolonHighSchool


thank you so this thing here this

thank you so this thing here this funny-looking thing called a trumpet is

funny-looking thing called a trumpet is

funny-looking thing called a trumpet is enable me to travel all around the world

enable me to travel all around the world

enable me to travel all around the world to experience different cultures to meet

to experience different cultures to meet

to experience different cultures to meet people in different walks of life this

people in different walks of life this

people in different walks of life this is also provided a window into American

is also provided a window into American

is also provided a window into American history through the lens of jazz music

history through the lens of jazz music

history through the lens of jazz music ultimately this horn and music has

ultimately this horn and music has

ultimately this horn and music has really taught me to be a more empathetic

really taught me to be a more empathetic

really taught me to be a more empathetic and compassionate person and it’s funny

and compassionate person and it’s funny

and compassionate person and it’s funny the thing that makes this thing work is

the thing that makes this thing work is

the thing that makes this thing work is one thing that unifies every human being

one thing that unifies every human being

one thing that unifies every human being on earth the breath so now if what goes

on earth the breath so now if what goes

on earth the breath so now if what goes into making this work is in itself

into making this work is in itself

into making this work is in itself unifying than what it comes out of the

unifying than what it comes out of the

unifying than what it comes out of the other end into the hearts and souls of

other end into the hearts and souls of

other end into the hearts and souls of people seems to have possibly the same

people seems to have possibly the same

people seems to have possibly the same effect right music over the years has

effect right music over the years has

effect right music over the years has always created bridges it’s help to

always created bridges it’s help to

always created bridges it’s help to foster a deeper understanding of each

foster a deeper understanding of each

foster a deeper understanding of each other and also in many cases has helped

other and also in many cases has helped

other and also in many cases has helped you understand something about something

you understand something about something

you understand something about something that maybe you hadn’t really thought of

that maybe you hadn’t really thought of

that maybe you hadn’t really thought of before case in point one of my favorite

before case in point one of my favorite

before case in point one of my favorite songs it’s marv engaged what’s going on

songs it’s marv engaged what’s going on

songs it’s marv engaged what’s going on we know this song right great so now I

we know this song right great so now I

we know this song right great so now I spent years listening to and just dig in

spent years listening to and just dig in

spent years listening to and just dig in the song because I love Marvin Gaye

the song because I love Marvin Gaye

the song because I love Marvin Gaye super soulful brain impactful song but

super soulful brain impactful song but

super soulful brain impactful song but then when I started digging into the

then when I started digging into the

then when I started digging into the lyrics to see what it was about it

lyrics to see what it was about it

lyrics to see what it was about it plunged me into a world that I never

plunged me into a world that I never

plunged me into a world that I never really thought about too much in world

really thought about too much in world

really thought about too much in world of such chaos in terms of American

of such chaos in terms of American

of such chaos in terms of American history in the 1960s and dealing with

history in the 1960s and dealing with

history in the 1960s and dealing with civil rights and social justice and so

civil rights and social justice and so

civil rights and social justice and so that really piqued my interest to kind

that really piqued my interest to kind

that really piqued my interest to kind of dig deeper into that whole thing and

of dig deeper into that whole thing and

of dig deeper into that whole thing and then I saw the parallels that that that

then I saw the parallels that that that

then I saw the parallels that that that will be drawn between that and jazz

will be drawn between that and jazz

will be drawn between that and jazz history which is all one in the same

history which is all one in the same

history which is all one in the same thing so you know music is a profound

thing so you know music is a profound

thing so you know music is a profound thing where two people from different

thing where two people from different

thing where two people from different walks of life and get together maybe

walks of life and get together maybe

walks of life and get together maybe ordinarily wouldn’t really come

ordinarily wouldn’t really come

ordinarily wouldn’t really come together and they come together to dig a

together and they come together to dig a

together and they come together to dig a great artist and to come away with

great artist and to come away with

great artist and to come away with feeling good and and maybe knowledgeable

feeling good and and maybe knowledgeable

feeling good and and maybe knowledgeable about something you know that was a

about something you know that was a

about something you know that was a certainly the case time after time for

certainly the case time after time for

certainly the case time after time for me and so as I have grown as an artist

me and so as I have grown as an artist

me and so as I have grown as an artist that become more more passionate about

that become more more passionate about

that become more more passionate about figuring out a way to bring music and

figuring out a way to bring music and

figuring out a way to bring music and stories and important messages together

stories and important messages together

stories and important messages together they’ll unify different cultures and

they’ll unify different cultures and

they’ll unify different cultures and ultimately to help foster a deeper

ultimately to help foster a deeper

ultimately to help foster a deeper understanding of each other so a couple

understanding of each other so a couple

understanding of each other so a couple years ago I had the great fortune to

years ago I had the great fortune to

years ago I had the great fortune to move to the jazz capital of the world

move to the jazz capital of the world

move to the jazz capital of the world doha qatar so that’s usually the

doha qatar so that’s usually the

doha qatar so that’s usually the response i get some people are awkwardly

response i get some people are awkwardly

response i get some people are awkwardly laughing other people are confused and

laughing other people are confused and

laughing other people are confused and for people who know about doha qatar i

for people who know about doha qatar i

for people who know about doha qatar i say why were you in doha right so i had

say why were you in doha right so i had

say why were you in doha right so i had the great honor of being a global

the great honor of being a global

the great honor of being a global ambassador for jazz in lincoln center

ambassador for jazz in lincoln center

ambassador for jazz in lincoln center under Wynton Marsalis there and so I got

under Wynton Marsalis there and so I got

under Wynton Marsalis there and so I got to go there and help to develop a

to go there and help to develop a

to go there and help to develop a further development music scene through

further development music scene through

further development music scene through collaboration jazz artists and musicians

collaboration jazz artists and musicians

collaboration jazz artists and musicians from all around the world so it’s one of

from all around the world so it’s one of

from all around the world so it’s one of the most diverse places on earth in fact

the most diverse places on earth in fact

the most diverse places on earth in fact they’re getting ready to host the World

they’re getting ready to host the World

they’re getting ready to host the World Cup in 2022 and so night after night in

Cup in 2022 and so night after night in

Cup in 2022 and so night after night in the venue we were on stage with artists

the venue we were on stage with artists

the venue we were on stage with artists from tamil new york city in the States

from tamil new york city in the States

from tamil new york city in the States but also artists from around the region

but also artists from around the region

but also artists from around the region great Middle Eastern musicians artists

great Middle Eastern musicians artists

great Middle Eastern musicians artists from from Europe and South America and

from from Europe and South America and

from from Europe and South America and all different corners of the world and

all different corners of the world and

all different corners of the world and it was such an incredible experience

it was such an incredible experience

it was such an incredible experience particularly to collaborate with artists

particularly to collaborate with artists

particularly to collaborate with artists from the Middle East we developed some

from the Middle East we developed some

from the Middle East we developed some beautiful friendships through the music

beautiful friendships through the music

beautiful friendships through the music some some of the most soulful artists of

some some of the most soulful artists of

some some of the most soulful artists of ever heard come from Syrian from Iraq

ever heard come from Syrian from Iraq

ever heard come from Syrian from Iraq and from Lebanon Great North African

and from Lebanon Great North African

and from Lebanon Great North African countries all over the place right and

countries all over the place right and

countries all over the place right and there we were night after night working

there we were night after night working

there we were night after night working through our music trying to figure out

through our music trying to figure out

through our music trying to figure out how to work together right and there’s

how to work together right and there’s

how to work together right and there’s something so profound about learning

something so profound about learning

something so profound about learning somebody else’s music because when

somebody else’s music because when

somebody else’s music because when you’re learning somebody else’s music

you’re learning somebody else’s music

you’re learning somebody else’s music you’re learning about their culture and

you’re learning about their culture and

you’re learning about their culture and you learn about your differences and

you learn about your differences and

you learn about your differences and your similarities and you learn to

your similarities and you learn to

your similarities and you learn to celebrate your differences see in the

celebrate your differences see in the

celebrate your differences see in the news google and stuff all that stuff

news google and stuff all that stuff

news google and stuff all that stuff that’s great to be well informed but

that’s great to be well informed but

that’s great to be well informed but there’s nothing like a human one-on-one

there’s nothing like a human one-on-one

there’s nothing like a human one-on-one interaction

interaction

interaction changes your perspective on everything

changes your perspective on everything

changes your perspective on everything and it certainly did that for me so in

and it certainly did that for me so in

and it certainly did that for me so in getting deep into the music scene there

getting deep into the music scene there

getting deep into the music scene there and collaborating in different ways I

and collaborating in different ways I

and collaborating in different ways I wanted to write a song that was kind of

wanted to write a song that was kind of

wanted to write a song that was kind of meant to pay some of the special things

meant to pay some of the special things

meant to pay some of the special things from around the region different sounds

from around the region different sounds

from around the region different sounds and I’d love to bring him into the music

and I’d love to bring him into the music

and I’d love to bring him into the music and try to interpret my own way and get

and try to interpret my own way and get

and try to interpret my own way and get an understanding of that great soulful

an understanding of that great soulful

an understanding of that great soulful music and I wanted to kind of bring

music and I wanted to kind of bring

music and I wanted to kind of bring together two interesting things about

together two interesting things about

together two interesting things about this country one it’s a super

this country one it’s a super

this country one it’s a super conservative country and on the other

conservative country and on the other

conservative country and on the other side it’s a cosmopolitan kind of melting

side it’s a cosmopolitan kind of melting

side it’s a cosmopolitan kind of melting pot right so these two things were kind

pot right so these two things were kind

pot right so these two things were kind of clashing and an interesting and

of clashing and an interesting and

of clashing and an interesting and unique way so I decided to write a song

unique way so I decided to write a song

unique way so I decided to write a song while I was in the middle of the desert

while I was in the middle of the desert

while I was in the middle of the desert one night and this is what it sounded

one night and this is what it sounded

one night and this is what it sounded like so she and listening to it if you

like so she and listening to it if you

like so she and listening to it if you can kind of hear some of those

can kind of hear some of those

can kind of hear some of those influences they’re not authentic from my

influences they’re not authentic from my

influences they’re not authentic from my horn because it’s just my interpretation

horn because it’s just my interpretation

horn because it’s just my interpretation of some of the cultural things that were

of some of the cultural things that were

of some of the cultural things that were happening and to join you here we have

happening and to join you here we have

happening and to join you here we have this guy on some of these funny-looking

this guy on some of these funny-looking

this guy on some of these funny-looking instruments who actually happens to be

instruments who actually happens to be

instruments who actually happens to be one of the baddest and in jazz bad means

one of the baddest and in jazz bad means

one of the baddest and in jazz bad means good by the way one of the baddest

good by the way one of the baddest

good by the way one of the baddest musicians on the planet one of the most

musicians on the planet one of the most

musicians on the planet one of the most influential percussionists the Royal

influential percussionists the Royal

influential percussionists the Royal Tiny’s of Lebanese descent but from it

Tiny’s of Lebanese descent but from it

Tiny’s of Lebanese descent but from it from right here in Cleveland and this is

from right here in Cleveland and this is

from right here in Cleveland and this is the great Jamie haddock so you can clap

anybody seen or heard call sign then

anybody seen or heard call sign then definitely you know about James music as

definitely you know about James music as

definitely you know about James music as he’s integral to that band has been for

he’s integral to that band has been for

he’s integral to that band has been for years and I’m basis is a wonderful

years and I’m basis is a wonderful

years and I’m basis is a wonderful wonderful basis who I grew up playing

wonderful basis who I grew up playing

wonderful basis who I grew up playing with a club Isabella years ago about 20

with a club Isabella years ago about 20

with a club Isabella years ago about 20 years ago and he lived for several years

years ago and he lived for several years

years ago and he lived for several years in China and just got back about a year

in China and just got back about a year

in China and just got back about a year and a half ago this is a great talented

and a half ago this is a great talented

and a half ago this is a great talented artists EJ partner community

artists EJ partner community

artists EJ partner community no Harleys let’s play some colors

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

all right that was no ha blues so that

all right that was no ha blues so that was about two and a half years of my

was about two and a half years of my

was about two and a half years of my life and then I came back here to the

life and then I came back here to the

life and then I came back here to the stage back to New York preparing for my

stage back to New York preparing for my

stage back to New York preparing for my next album and I was trying to get deep

next album and I was trying to get deep

next album and I was trying to get deep inside certain songs that I really

inside certain songs that I really

inside certain songs that I really wanted to perform for the album it’s a

wanted to perform for the album it’s a

wanted to perform for the album it’s a long drawn-out process of song selection

long drawn-out process of song selection

long drawn-out process of song selection i came across the song that was written

i came across the song that was written

i came across the song that was written by one of my favorite artist named Tom

by one of my favorite artist named Tom

by one of my favorite artist named Tom Waits it’s from a great album from 1983

Waits it’s from a great album from 1983

Waits it’s from a great album from 1983 swordfish trombones and the song is

swordfish trombones and the song is

swordfish trombones and the song is called soldiers things and in learning

called soldiers things and in learning

called soldiers things and in learning this song I checked out the lyrics and

this song I checked out the lyrics and

this song I checked out the lyrics and musically I was just kind of brought to

musically I was just kind of brought to

musically I was just kind of brought to another place if the lyrics I I couldn’t

another place if the lyrics I I couldn’t

another place if the lyrics I I couldn’t really relate to i could relate to

really relate to i could relate to

really relate to i could relate to emotionally but i didn’t know what they

emotionally but i didn’t know what they

emotionally but i didn’t know what they were talking about and it’s a story

were talking about and it’s a story

were talking about and it’s a story metaphorically of a soldier returning

metaphorically of a soldier returning

metaphorically of a soldier returning from war and dealing with the realities

from war and dealing with the realities

from war and dealing with the realities of justin adjustment to civilian life so

of justin adjustment to civilian life so

of justin adjustment to civilian life so when I came back here to Cleveland

when I came back here to Cleveland

when I came back here to Cleveland through a mutual friend I got to need a

through a mutual friend I got to need a

through a mutual friend I got to need a wonderful veteran he’s not 29 years old

wonderful veteran he’s not 29 years old

wonderful veteran he’s not 29 years old and from age of 17 from Afghanistan in

and from age of 17 from Afghanistan in

and from age of 17 from Afghanistan in the 82nd Airborne Division is an

the 82nd Airborne Division is an

the 82nd Airborne Division is an infantryman and he spent three years in

infantryman and he spent three years in

infantryman and he spent three years in Afghanistan and I got to hear his

Afghanistan and I got to hear his

Afghanistan and I got to hear his incredible story of unimaginable

incredible story of unimaginable

incredible story of unimaginable adversity during his time there and not

adversity during his time there and not

adversity during his time there and not only that but his struggle when he came

only that but his struggle when he came

only that but his struggle when he came back home and so all I heard in the

back home and so all I heard in the

back home and so all I heard in the media is about talking about PTSD it’s

media is about talking about PTSD it’s

media is about talking about PTSD it’s become synonymous with veterans and

become synonymous with veterans and

become synonymous with veterans and there’s no question that it’s a major

there’s no question that it’s a major

there’s no question that it’s a major challenge and what I was hearing in this

challenge and what I was hearing in this

challenge and what I was hearing in this gentleman story was not only a struggle

gentleman story was not only a struggle

gentleman story was not only a struggle with PTSD but also being able to move

with PTSD but also being able to move

with PTSD but also being able to move past that into what it’s called

past that into what it’s called

past that into what it’s called post-traumatic growth something I never

post-traumatic growth something I never

post-traumatic growth something I never really heard about and it fascinated me

really heard about and it fascinated me

really heard about and it fascinated me and I got deeper and deeper into his

and I got deeper and deeper into his

and I got deeper and deeper into his story and deeper into stories at a lot

story and deeper into stories at a lot

story and deeper into stories at a lot of veterans who have similar kind of

of veterans who have similar kind of

of veterans who have similar kind of journeys and so that song Tom Waits by

journeys and so that song Tom Waits by

journeys and so that song Tom Waits by Tom Waits was kind of an entry point

Tom Waits was kind of an entry point

Tom Waits was kind of an entry point into this world so we like to play this

into this world so we like to play this

into this world so we like to play this song for you now and I want to tell you

song for you now and I want to tell you

song for you now and I want to tell you that lately I’ve been working on a

that lately I’ve been working on a

that lately I’ve been working on a project

project

project within his name is Staff Sergeant James

within his name is Staff Sergeant James

within his name is Staff Sergeant James polling we’re working on an on-stage

polling we’re working on an on-stage

polling we’re working on an on-stage production that brings together his

production that brings together his

production that brings together his narrative of his time from day one in

narrative of his time from day one in

narrative of his time from day one in the military to today and his struggle

the military to today and his struggle

the military to today and his struggle in his progress that he’s made

in his progress that he’s made

in his progress that he’s made surrounded by a suite of music that I’m

surrounded by a suite of music that I’m

surrounded by a suite of music that I’m writing with a whole historical backdrop

writing with a whole historical backdrop

writing with a whole historical backdrop right so we’re

this year and it’s been such an

this year and it’s been such an incredible journey learning his story

incredible journey learning his story

incredible journey learning his story being inspired musically so we want to

being inspired musically so we want to

being inspired musically so we want to bring those different worlds together

bring those different worlds together

bring those different worlds together and be able to tour around the states

and be able to tour around the states

and be able to tour around the states again going back to fostering a deeper

again going back to fostering a deeper

again going back to fostering a deeper understanding each other in arts being

understanding each other in arts being

understanding each other in arts being that pathway to understanding so now

that pathway to understanding so now

that pathway to understanding so now we’d like to play this song which has a

we’d like to play this song which has a

we’d like to play this song which has a real specific kind of mood in it for it

real specific kind of mood in it for it

real specific kind of mood in it for it and so this is called soldiers things

so let me that song kind of

so let me that song kind of encapsulation just one of the many moods

encapsulation just one of the many moods

encapsulation just one of the many moods and feelings and aura or is that that

and feelings and aura or is that that

and feelings and aura or is that that they kind of come with the story a real

they kind of come with the story a real

they kind of come with the story a real kind of introspective heartfelt somewhat

kind of introspective heartfelt somewhat

kind of introspective heartfelt somewhat painful kind of journey so we’re really

painful kind of journey so we’re really

painful kind of journey so we’re really excited about moving this project

excited about moving this project

excited about moving this project forward now say well jazz I mentioned

forward now say well jazz I mentioned

forward now say well jazz I mentioned earlier about the history of jazz in the

earlier about the history of jazz in the

earlier about the history of jazz in the history of jazz very much American

history of jazz very much American

history of jazz very much American history and where did jazz come from

history and where did jazz come from

history and where did jazz come from came from New Orleans right in New

came from New Orleans right in New

came from New Orleans right in New Orleans what was going down there the

Orleans what was going down there the

Orleans what was going down there the early 1900’s many things people from all

early 1900’s many things people from all

early 1900’s many things people from all different walks of life and cultures

different walks of life and cultures

different walks of life and cultures were coming through there and jazz

were coming through there and jazz

were coming through there and jazz through the blues is rooted in the blues

through the blues is rooted in the blues

through the blues is rooted in the blues came to be particularly by an incredibly

came to be particularly by an incredibly

came to be particularly by an incredibly inspiring American figure one of the

inspiring American figure one of the

inspiring American figure one of the greatest of all time is to Louis

greatest of all time is to Louis

greatest of all time is to Louis Armstrong and so you have all these

Armstrong and so you have all these

Armstrong and so you have all these different elements from all around the

different elements from all around the

different elements from all around the world kind of coming together right and

world kind of coming together right and

world kind of coming together right and so it really kind of reflects the

so it really kind of reflects the

so it really kind of reflects the journey of an artist you know I notice

journey of an artist you know I notice

journey of an artist you know I notice today and always you know we’re kind of

today and always you know we’re kind of

today and always you know we’re kind of surrounded by a lot of things that kind

surrounded by a lot of things that kind

surrounded by a lot of things that kind of go against the grain of what arts are

of go against the grain of what arts are

of go against the grain of what arts are about you know anti-intellectualism and

about you know anti-intellectualism and

about you know anti-intellectualism and and seemingly simple solutions for

and seemingly simple solutions for

and seemingly simple solutions for complex problems and just an overall

complex problems and just an overall

complex problems and just an overall general kind of lack of empathy and

general kind of lack of empathy and

general kind of lack of empathy and compassion at some areas and these all

compassion at some areas and these all

compassion at some areas and these all kind of go against the grade of what art

kind of go against the grade of what art

kind of go against the grade of what art is about to me art is ultimately a

is about to me art is ultimately a

is about to me art is ultimately a creative expression of the complexity of

creative expression of the complexity of

creative expression of the complexity of the human condition and it all goes back

the human condition and it all goes back

the human condition and it all goes back from me to jazz and to New Orleans and

from me to jazz and to New Orleans and

from me to jazz and to New Orleans and we’d like to close today’s segment with

we’d like to close today’s segment with

we’d like to close today’s segment with a great song that probably most of you

a great song that probably most of you

a great song that probably most of you know even your varying ages Louis

know even your varying ages Louis

know even your varying ages Louis Armstrong used to play this all the time

Armstrong used to play this all the time

Armstrong used to play this all the time and it’s a traditional song the great

and it’s a traditional song the great

and it’s a traditional song the great artists New Orleans and all over the

artists New Orleans and all over the

artists New Orleans and all over the world play and see if you can hear a lot

world play and see if you can hear a lot

world play and see if you can hear a lot of different kind of elements coming

of different kind of elements coming

of different kind of elements coming together from what Jamie is planned to

together from what Jamie is planned to

together from what Jamie is planned to what

what

what jay is planned to what I’m playing and

jay is planned to what I’m playing and

jay is planned to what I’m playing and also I want you to listen to the kind of

also I want you to listen to the kind of

also I want you to listen to the kind of communication that’s going on right so

communication that’s going on right so

communication that’s going on right so jazz has a super a specific kind of

jazz has a super a specific kind of

jazz has a super a specific kind of foundation to it right and we all get

foundation to it right and we all get

foundation to it right and we all get behind that foundation and bring our

behind that foundation and bring our

behind that foundation and bring our individual personalities into the music

individual personalities into the music

individual personalities into the music and jazz is an expression of different

and jazz is an expression of different

and jazz is an expression of different individual personalities and diversity

individual personalities and diversity

individual personalities and diversity so see if you can hear that and we hope

so see if you can hear that and we hope

so see if you can hear that and we hope you enjoy it and after we play even if

you enjoy it and after we play even if

you enjoy it and after we play even if you don’t make sure you clap very loud

you don’t make sure you clap very loud

you don’t make sure you clap very loud because it really helps my self esteem

because it really helps my self esteem

because it really helps my self esteem so thank you very much

[Music]

[Music] bye

bye

bye [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

thank you the past we’ve got newer one

thank you the past we’ve got newer one word in particular passion right we’re

word in particular passion right we’re

word in particular passion right we’re so very fortunate they have found our

so very fortunate they have found our

so very fortunate they have found our passion that leads a life and endless

passion that leads a life and endless

passion that leads a life and endless journey of education and

journey of education and

journey of education and self-improvement and inspiration and

self-improvement and inspiration and

self-improvement and inspiration and arts certainly provide that pathway to

arts certainly provide that pathway to

arts certainly provide that pathway to empathy and compassion thank you very

empathy and compassion thank you very

empathy and compassion thank you very much been an honor to be here at my home

much been an honor to be here at my home

much been an honor to be here at my home high school and I hope you all enjoy

high school and I hope you all enjoy

high school and I hope you all enjoy yourself thank you

yourself thank you

yourself thank you [Applause]

”

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