The song says, “It’s my birthday I’ll cry if I want to,” but Newark native Jeremy Danneman had something else, something more radical and upbeat, in mind for his birthday. In 2009, he decided to celebrate by parading through New York in lieu of a party. He and his saxophone marched around the boroughs of New York and stopped to serenade the United Nations with some jazz and a sharing spirit.

Jeremy and his clarinet and saxes have been all around the world, playing for people in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Rwanda. We had a great time talking with him about some of his experiences in New York, Kigali, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phnom Penh. When you listen to the interview, which we spread out into two episodes of The Music Room, you’ll appreciate how much enthusiasm Jeremy has for using music to make connections with people from different cultures.

The Interview

Jeremy Danneman Part 1, 29:58, 28.7 MB

Jeremy Danneman Part 2, 30:00, 28.8 MB

(Recorded 06/17/15; original air dates: 6/30/15 and 7/7/15; hosts: Mandorichard, Bill Barnett, and Sara Sajer)

The Music

The following music is heard in these episodes of The Music Room:

Artist / Song / Album (or source) / Date / Notes
Jeremy Danneman and Sophie Nzayisenga / Untitled Improvisation in Atlantic Ave. Subway Station, Brooklyn, NY, March 20, 2015 / 2015 / http://www.paradeofone.org
Jeremy Danneman / Mutobu March / Lady Boom Boom / 2015
Jeremy Danneman, Sophie Nzayisenga, William Parker, and Tim Keiper / Honey Wine (Unreleased)* / 2015 / http://www.paradeofone.org
Jeremy Danneman / Murambi Blues / Help / 2015
Jeremy Danneman / Lady Boom Boom / Lady Boom Boom / 2015

*An excerpt of Honey Wine plays at the end of the first part of the interview, and another excerpt opens the second part of the interview.