335: Paul Cannon on contemporary music, Frank Zappa, and opportunities

Paul Cannon has been a member of the Frankfurt-based group Ensemble Modern since 2014. A graduate of Rice University, Paul spends his days performing contemporary music of all genres.

A couple months ago, I got two messages that led me to contact Paul for an interview. The first was a message from my wife with a YouTube video that had gone viral on Reddit.

I also got a message that same day from Rice University bass professor and past podcast guest Paul Ellison recommending that I connect with Paul Cannon.  We scheduled an interview and had a fascinating conversation.

We dig into:

  • not worrying too much about careers early on – leave room for unexpected opportunities
  • if your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail
  • how opportunities are useless unless you have the goods to back it up
  • how Paul approaches a piece like Jacob Druckman’s Valentine
  • techniques for counting 5s and 7s and getting them organic
  • challenges with finding audiences for contemporary music

Links to check out:

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By Jason

An active double bass performer and teacher, Jason teaches double bass at DePaul University and served on the Board of Directors of the International Society of Bassists for many years. Jason is the current President of the Illinois chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Jason has been a member of the Elgin Symphony since 2000 and has played with the Midsummer’s Music Festival in Door County for the past decade. He is a past member of the Milwaukee Ballet and IRIS Orchestra, and has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, and numerous other professional ensembles.

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