This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpet performer, composer and recording artist Liva Strazdina, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass.
This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:
"Liva Strazdina Trumpet Interview"
And, find the expanded show notes, transcript and more photos here
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Liva Strazdina made the decision to pursue post-secondary studies in jazz music, and had been accepted to the Carl Maria von Weber Dresden University of Music, but there remained one crucial thing that she had to tackle first:
Changing her embouchure.
She had heard the suggestions before, the recommendations to do something about it before it got worse and created excessive fatigue. But the time had come.
Liva was guided by the acclaimed yet demanding instructor Malte Burba, showing her breathing and muscle-building techniques that embraced the full body, not just the lips, mouth and lungs. Which led to Liva spending a solid three months practicing with only a mouthpiece, while her new classmates were progressing with her studies. Undoubtedly a test of perseverance and commitment!
Liva compares her training to that of an athlete, who must see the bigger picture and the ultimate trajectory, particularly during the repetitive and even painful days of practice and repetition.
Fortunately for her, and all of us, her commitment has led to a burgeoning career in jazz music, and the debut of her first album, Unbalanced, featuring a mixture of original compositions and interpretations. Listen in for a thoughtful conversation, and a thoughtful album, about trumpet, creativity, resilience, and building a life in music.
About Liva Strazdina:
Līva Strazdiņa, born in 1997 in Berlin with Latvian roots, combines depth, expression and a clear personal tone in her music. After studying jazz trumpet as her main instrument at the
Carl Maria von Weber University of Music in Dresden, with teachers including Sebastian Studnitzky, Malte Burba, Simon Harrer and Till Brönner, she developed a distinctive musical language marked by intense melodic writing and a fine balance between energy and intimacy.
As a trumpeter and flugelhornist, she chooses her instrument deliberately based on mood and tone color. Alongside numerous ensemble projects, big band experience, awards and tours including the Berlin Youth Jazz Orchestra, studio recordings with LaJJazzO and tours with the indie band BEACHPEOPLE, Līva is also active as a composer. Her music reflects not only influences from jazz greats such as Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard, but also singer songwriters like Billy Joel and pop icons like Pink Floyd and Eminem.
With her debut album, Līva shares her innermost thoughts and feelings. The album invites listeners to immerse themselves in these emotions and reflect on their own emotional world.
Episode Links:
Bob Reeves Brass Events and Appearances:
- Joy Brass, September 17-24, Tokyo Japan
http://joybrass.com
email to sign up: tp@joybrass.co.jp - Virtuosity Music, October 9-10, Boston, MA
- NCMEA Conference, November 8-9, Winston-Salem, NC
- Greg Black Mouthpieces, November 10, Mount Holly, NC
Podcast Credits:
