Many of you know – my father, John Mochnick, was practically born a professional musician.
It’s truly his life’s passion and only my mother, whom he’s been happily married to for 40 something years, and his children, my brother Jonathan and yours truly, supersede his love for music. Music for him IS happiness and his dedication to his life’s passion has provided my brother and me with a strong, real life example of what living happy is all about.
Thank you Dad.
Born to my grandparents who owned a typewriter store (The Mochnick Typewriter Company) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, my Dad started playing the piano at age 7. He’s been playing every day ever since.
Now retired from a 35 year career as a university choral and orchestral conductor, composer/arranger, administrator, and teacher, my Dad continues to pursue his musical passion by playing jazz.
I’m lucky enough to live in the same town as my dad and as you may guess, I too love jazz. Especially my Dad’s.
I grew up listening to HOURS UPON HOURS UPON HOURS of practicing and watching his multiple musical performances from darkened concert halls, and I’ve been beaming with pride and amazement for my whole life as I’ve watched him time and time again impress, move, and amaze audiences with his unique talent and flair.
So, I just had to share with you, a sample of his latest accomplished performance, because it was downright AWESOME.
Once again my heart swelled with pride as I watched my gifted father perform March 4th in Wake Forest’s Brendle Recital Hall (where he used to work running the music department) with his long time friend and colleague Matt Kendrick. The two of them have formed a local jazz duo (Mochnick and Kendrick) and play all over town in different venues (check out Nobles in Winston Salem, on Saturday nights from 7-9pm for live entertainment you’ll go back for again and again)!
The March 4th concert presented a truly unique and brand new jazz and classical program, where Dad and Matt conceived of and actually wove famous classical music pieces with uniquely arranged jazz improvisations. They titled it Bach, Brubeck, and Beyond. Fourteen pieces written, arranged, performed and improvised.
Totally blew me away. I think it will you too.
And, if your thinking right now “WOW. She sure is proud of her Dad” – you’re right. I am. I am every day.
Now I invite you to relax, turn up the volume, sit back, and take a look at this impressive, authentic, example of what can come of a life dedicated to pursuing its true passion. (For more, check out Mochnick and Kendrick on You Tube).
Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy and live happy my friends!
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