jedscott

I’ve written before about replacing the term talented in my vocabulary. Because I’m trying to encourage a growth mindset in my students (and sons), it’s important to me that I never imply that their success comes entirely from something innate. Here are some phrases I’m trying not to use, and […]

When you’re in the worst moments of a head cold, do you forget how it feels to be healthy? And when you’re healthy, can you truly remember what it’s like to be sick? In the middle of an illness, it’s easy to imagine you’ve always felt…and always will feel…like this. […]

Last year Brené Brown did a 90-minute long form live show with photographer Chase Jarvis. It’s on Youtube. The entire conversation is great, but I want to share three quotes from Brené that need to be informing how we educate in this country. “85 percent of the men and women […]

Jiro Ono is widely celebrated as the ultimate sushi chef, continuing to hone his art at 90 years old. He was the subject of the 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. (it’s on Netflix.) In the video below, he has a conversation with René Redzepi, a world-class Danish chef of almost exactly […]

Take a deep breath. You are doing enough. You have been pushing yourself for as long as you can remember. Willing your efficiency and your effectiveness to ever-greater heights. Perhaps, like me, a recent loss has challenged you to leapfrog a few levels and try to achieve your life’s ambitions […]

Grammy nominee & dear friend Jeremy Fox was in attendance at the Puerling Tribute weekend in Texas and has kindly shared the following reflection. Enjoy! ———- The first time I’d heard music written by Gene Puerling was in 1994. I was studying in Iowa with Phil Mattson, a vocal jazz and […]

Last night’s Gene Puerling concert from the UNT Jazz Singers was an unbelievable, epic tribute to the man who founded The Hi-Lo’s and The Singers Unlimited and was, as Jennifer Barnes put it, “Gene Puerling is the Beethoven of #vocaljazz” – Jennifer Barnes. And if possible, she’s understating it. #UNTpuerling […]

For your reference as you live-stream tonight’s concert… THE MUSIC OF GENE PUERLING featuring the UNT Jazz Singers and The One O’Clock Jazz Lab Band Jennifer Barnes, Director Come Rain or Come Shine – Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer On a Clear Day -Burton Lane/Alan Jay Lerner (inst. arr. Patrick Williams)Georgia on […]

Every day across the country there are dozens of amazing performances you and I would love to see. At jazz clubs in big cities; Broadway shows; touring acts not near to us; orchestras; operas; comedians. None of them close enough to attend – and that’s on top of the acts […]

There are plenty of signs that your practice is effective: your proficiency is increasing; your teacher notes your progress; what used to be hard is now easy. The best sign? When the timer goes off and you want to keep going. You want a couple more chances to get it […]