Alex Sipiagin - Learning jazz while growing up in Russia
In today’s episode, Monica sits down with the incredible musician and jazz trumpeter, Alex Sipiagin. He shares tons of Brave stories including how he started playing trumpet by accident, what it was like learning jazz in Russia, and the first time he came to Washington DC after being a finalist in a competition without speaking any English, how he returned to the US and decided to stay and began to explore jazz clubs, sit in on jam sessions, and meet other musicians. Alex talks about his willingness to always grow, what inspires him, and shares an example of gaining strength and learning how to be Brave from others.
Alex has performed with jazz greats such as Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Chris Potter, the Mingus Big Band, and so many more and has recorded 18 (soon to be 19) albums as a leader.
Listen here on web player
“[In Russia at the time] Jazz wasn’t illegal, it was not welcomed. If you play jazz there’s something wrong with you.” - Alex Sipiagin