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CSUN Professor Leads ‘Parallel Lives’ in Music, Night and Day

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Dec. 10, 2007) — By day, part-time music faculty member Rob Lockart teaches the saxophone at Cal State Northridge. By night, he can be found playing it as part of the Los Angeles jazz scene.

Besides finding time for his studio and recording work, he has added one more accomplish¬ment to his repertoire—his debut CD "Parallel Lives," from Origin Records.

Lockart not only plays saxophone on "Parallel Lives," he wrote six of its eight songs, drawing from his own experiences and influences. The personal note extends to the album’s creative process, as Lockart plays on "Parallel" with musicians he had worked with previously: pianist Bill Cunliffe, drummer Joe LaBarbera and bassist Jeff DiAngelo.

"The great thing about recording is when you get those moments—those beautiful moments—when all the elements come together," said Lockart. "What distinguishes jazz is the spontaneous improvisation. If we would do the CD again, it wouldn’t happen the same way."

Released in September, "Parallel Lives" has been enjoying a lot of airplay, from Long Beach-based KJAZZ 88.1 FM to stations across the country. It recently joined Jazzweek’s chartbound list.

In addition to playing in the local jazz scene, Lockart has worked with internationally known figures such as jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, trumpeter Doc Severinsen, composer/arranger Chris Walden and the Woody Herman Orchestra, among others.

"Musicians give you so much," explained Lockart. "It»s the human interaction, the dialogue, that makes the music come alive."

As an instructor with CSUN’s jazz program for the past 10 years, Lockart values the openness and communication among the faculty. "In chamber jazz performance we hope to bring the best of what we are," said Lockart, "where four to six individuals work together in a cooperative effort, a divine interplay."