Daily Inspiration: Meet Pau Jorba

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pau Jorba.

Hi Pau, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my musical practice at the age of eight years old, studying classical saxophone at the music school in my hometown. It wasn’t until I was 16 years old that I decided to study jazz with commitment. It was then that I went to study at the Consevatorio de Musica de Manresa, where I discovered and began to study this music. Later, at the age of 19, I entered ESMUC, where I studied Jazz Sax Performance while attending the private school Cromàtic by Llibert Fortuny. After that, I got a scholarship to The News School in NY, where I am currently studying.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have always had a lot of moral support from my family and friends, and I have always felt encouraged to pursue my artistic dreams. My big obstacle to start was the economic part: my parents could only support a part of the cost of my studies in BCN, so from the age of 16, I had to work to be able to pay for it. I have worked in all kinds of different places and jobs! Factories, in the countryside, in stores, schools, offices…. It has been very enriching and has given me perspective to know what I like and don’t like and to confirm and deepen my artistic dreams and goals. I have been very lucky to be able to come to NY to study with different scholarships that support me economically, so now I have the great privilege of being able to dedicate myself exclusively to the study and practice of music.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a jazz saxophone player, composer, arranger, and composer in construction. I am currently studying in NY after having completed a jazz performance degree in Barcelona, and I am training in all these fields. My specialty in composition is small and large ensembles in jazz and Afro-American roots music in general. I enjoy producing music for my own projects as well as for commissions. I currently lead my own band, Pau Jorba Group, and co-lead the KIW project with Ferran Rico and Artur Ponsá.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I’m still “just starting”! In any case, I would tell anyone who wants to start studying African-American music to treat it with passion, enthusiasm, commitment, and respect. To try to go as deep as possible in their learning process. Don’t stop at the surface or at the easily acquired knowledge. Many times, the most precious pieces of knowledge are not found on the surface but after digging deep. To live every day with passion and discipline, trying with humility to be better on an artistic and human level.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paujorba_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paujorbabonastre2375
• SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/B19DC