He’s ignored half of the time.
But by the same token, when he e-mails prominent musicians asking to join them onstage, second-year trumpet performance student Ryan Svendsen lands an audition the other half of the time. And then he always gets the gig.
Tonight his forwardness pays off: he’s playing trumpet at the House of Blues with the Nikhil Korula Band, a world-influenced jam band.
“I saw that (the Nikhil Korula Band) opened for the Dave Matthews Band once,” Svendsen said. “Then I listened to their music and I thought they were really good. I called him and kept pushing him to let me play.”
Svendsen eagerly memorized the prominent trumpet licks from the band’s new album and auditioned for Korula, who then welcomed him to tonight’s lineup.
“I’m a real stickler about anyone who sits in with us, but he’s rehearsed with us and he’s been awesome,” Korula said.
After several rehearsals both in a practice space and the comfort of Korula’s apartment, Svendsen is ready for his appearance, having forged a relationship with the band and its music.
“With (one of the songs) we’re doing a transition into Marvin Gaye’s “˜What’s Going On.’ He picked that song because of what’s going on in Iraq right now. It has to do with pop culture: he’s not doing it just to do it,” Svendsen said.
Along with the song’s powerful social significance, it also holds personal importance for Svendsen: tonight’s performance of “What’s Going On” allows him to take the spotlight and give a solo.
“I’m being trained classically right now but I love jazz and improvising,” Svendsen said.
Indeed, Svendsen’s musical interests are diverse: a natural result of training with experts in their genres. When he was 12, he had a private lesson in the apartment of Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz composer Wynton Marsalis. Now he studies under professor Jens Lindemann, an acclaimed soloist and classical trumpeter.
But for Svendsen, who came to UCLA determined to immerse himself in the Los Angeles arts culture, performing is just as important as taking lessons.
Since he came to UCLA, Svendsen has played with the UCLA Symphony, the Wind Ensemble, the Brass Choir and the Bruin Marching Band.
“I’m pretty busy sometimes. I’m never in my apartment,” he said, laughing.
But he has good reason to be away: in addition to all of his musical endeavors on campus, Svendsen keeps himself busy e-mailing and playing with a new professional band each quarter. His first successful gig took shape last fall with Robert Randolph & the Family Band, a rock outfit that has opened for the Dave Matthews Band, Svendsen’s favorite group. In the winter, he played with the Dave Matthews Tribute Band in San Diego. Spring brought yet another chance to sit in, that time with R&B singer Ryan Shaw, who has since appeared on “Last Call with Carson Daly” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The Grammy-nominated soul singer might someday add a horn section to his band, Svendsen said hopefully.
“I’m just trying to make the connections,” he added.
By maintaining his focus on playing with different artists, Svendsen is indeed building a network of allies and collaborators to help him navigate the competitive, sometimes intimidating Los Angeles music scene.
And with last quarter’s gig with composer Herbie Hancock and tonight’s House of Blues show with the Nikhil Korula Band, Svendsen boasts an impressive resume and, no doubt, address book.
Connections certainly constitute power in this industry, but for both Svendsen and Korula, it’s about playing music and enjoying the reciprocity of musicians giving each other their big breaks.
“When Ryan e-mailed me about playing with us, I thought that this is what I should be doing: helping people like they helped me,” Korula said.
And thanks to the help and the openness of the Nikhil Korula band and past acts, Svendsen can be bold and confident when he offers to join a band’s roster.
At worst, he’s ignored, but he’s willing to risk it.