Charlottesville Jazz Hero
I could write all day about trumpeter/composer/bandleader/educator John D’earth — this is just an introduction.
John came to Charlottesville in 1981 from New York City where his band Cosmology had cut an eponymously titled record for Vanguard co-produced by Collin Walcott (1977). He settled into a weekly residency at Miller’s Downtown where he mentored a young bartender named, Dave Matthews and played with several players including LeRoy Moore and Carter Beauford who became central to the Dave Matthews Band.
He’s maintained that weekly gig for 40 years, during the time welcoming myriad visiting players as well as getting regular participation from Devonne Harris (aka DJ Harrison of Butcher Brown) and local guests such as Charles Owens, Veronica Swift and her father, pianist Hod O’Brien.
Decades ago, John was asked by University of Virginia students to lead their student-organized UVa Jazz Ensemble, now a for-credit University effort (graduates of that program include pianist/composer Kait Dunton and bassist/composer Lisa Mezzacappa). For more than 25 years, John has also been a member of the UVa faculty Free Bridge Quintet. Concerts produced under the auspices of those units have hosted international jazz talents of a range from John Abercrombie to Joe Henderson, Terence Blanchard and Nicole Mitchell.
John routinely contributes his time and talents to causes in the region and is frequently found on the bandstand if there is money to be raised for a progressive cause. In demand as a teacher, he is as known for his deep musical knowledge as he is for his encouragement and support of young players. He has composed for regional groups such as the Charlottesville Symphony and the Youth Orchestras of Charlottesville and Albemarle, employing musical chops matched with his limitless support of other players and his easy smile.
For the past four decades, he’s anchored and nurtured a broadly expansive jazz community here in Central Virginia. John D’earth deserves every bit of thanks and appreciation as Charlottesville Jazz Hero that we can provide.
—Russell Perry
Jazz at 100, Jazz at 100 Today
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