Catching Up with Jeff Haas

Oct. 16, 2015

Jeff Haas is a Traverse City standard, as much as the city’s cherries, the waterfront and the very jazz songs he frequently performs.

A musician since the age of five, Haas studied music as a teenager in Berlin, Germany, delving into jazz after discovering his sister’s music collection. Now a seasoned professional, he always has several irons in the musical fire. We thought we’d check in to see what Haas has been up to lately.

BUILDING BRIDGES WITH MUSIC

A cause close to Haas’ heart is combating prejudice and closed-mindedness. Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime was irreversibly destructive to Haas’ own family, so he knows first-hand how negative opinions and bias can quickly shift from mildly offensive to world-altering.

Haas’ constructive answer? The Building Bridges with Music program.

“We use music as a vehicle to open hearts and minds to discussions about respect,” he explained.

With his multicultural bandmates, who share their own personal stories as part of the program, Building Bridges performs in schools, letting the music jump-start discussions and Q&A sessions about treating others respectfully, whether they’re from a different country, get around differently, have different color skin or speak a language other than what might be typical in any given community.

Building Bridges has performed in more than 600 Michigan schools to date, interacting with more than 50,000 kids from rural, suburban and inner-city neighborhoods. Haas is implementing video conferencing so they can reach even more students.

“We start by explaining the concept of being open-minded about music,” Haas explained. “For instance, maybe your friend likes country music, but you don’t. You don’t make fun of them for it; you try to listen again and figure out why they like it, so you can better respect their choice. We then use those kinds of examples to explain how you need to form your own opinions about people, too, to open your heart and mind to different things — and in that, you will expand the world around you and have a better, more interesting life.”

Haas has recently added a second program that focuses on what he calls Upstanders: kids who stand up against bullies and inappropriate behavior.

“These kids don’t just walk on by,” he said. “They learn how to stop and try to help mediate the situation.”

The new workshops focus on the importance of taking personal responsibility; Haas has also taken similar workshops into adult corporate settings.

“We live in a world that’s divisive and antagonistic a lot of the time,” he explained, “so these are well thought out programs that will hopefully create more awareness about each person’s own actions, to create environments where people are respectful of each other.”

COMPOSITIONAL COMMISSIONS

In addition to using his music as a communication tool for his workshops, Haas continues to compose and perform, intrinsic parts of himself and of his life’s work.

He has two commissions on deck, the first of which is for the National Jewish Federation this fall and winter.

“For that one, I’m writing a composition for a 31-piece string orchestra,” Haas explained. “It will be an eight-monthlong project, 45–60 minutes of music, and the finished product will be performed by a New York ensemble at a public concert series.”

Haas’ process remains the same as it has for years. He puts together a structure for the composition, starts with piano, pencil and paper, and then moves to a computer to arrange the work for the ensemble.

“Technology is so cool,” Haas said. “I use Alias music software; you can utilize it to rearrange your compositions for nearly any shape or size ensemble. Then I put the music in front of these great players I work with and, over a little time, it turns into what it will be.”

Following the advice of his late father, the musician and legendary classical music radio host Karl Haas, Haas leans on his colleagues to expand his own sound.

“My father always told me to surround myself with great musicians, and that I’ve done,” he said.

SOUNDS, STAGES AND SHOWS

Haas loves performing music, too; he’s been on so many stages that he’s likely lost count. He slowed down for a while to ensure he got enough quality time with his daughter, Sophie, but now that she’s nearly 14, he’s freeing up his weekends to get back out on local stages and beyond.

“I have to be honest,” he said, “playing in performing arts centers and concerts across the country pays better than local gigs. I’m grateful for both, but it will be good to get back out there again.”

Haas just wrapped up his 22nd summer performing Thursdays at Chateau Chantal and he’s currently seeking another regular Thursday night venue for the fall and winter after a threeyear run at the Cambria hotel & suites in Traverse City.

“I want to keep this quartet working,” he said. By quartet, he refers to fellow local favorites Laurie Sears on reeds, Jack Dryden on bass and Randy Marsh on drums, in addition to himself. Grand Rapids trumpet player Chris Lawrence and Detroit trumpeter Anthony Stanco also make appearances. You can easily find the group on Fridays. Haas’ current gig at the Lelu Cafe in Northport every Friday from 8–11pm will continue through the end of November.

Just in case you thought Haas might have some free time, remember he’s also wrapping up production on what will be his next album, The Age of Confluence, which will be released digitally in October with a holiday release planned on CD.

He’s also completed two seasons of his radio show, “The New Jazz Archive with Jeff Haas,” for Interlochen Public Radio and is working on a third season, preparing to license the show for podcasting.

While it’s obvious that talent plays a big part here, Haas is careful to point out that, as with many things, all of this actually begins with nothing.

“I love composing music, how you get to start from scratch and create something,” he said. “It’s just such a gas.”

To learn more about Jeff Haas, his music, radio show and educational projects, visit jeffhaasmusic.com.