A professional musician who graduated in 2015 from Benjamin Logan High School is making a name for himself in the regional jazz scene, and he returns to Logan County tonight on the Holland Theatre stage as a percussionist with the Columbus Jazz Quartet.
Isaac Bednarki performs with the quartet in concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the theater, accompanied by his fellow talented Central Ohio musicians: Derek DiCenzo on bass, vocalist Sydney McSweeney and pianist Lucas Holmes for an evening of classic and modern jazz.
Benjamin Logan High School’s jazz combo also opens the show.
“We will be playing different styles of jazz, as that’s definitely the specialty of this group of musicians,” said Bednarki, who studied engineering and then music at The Ohio State University after his high school graduation.
“Bebop, Latin, hard-bop, and a few ballads that show off Sydney’s lovely voice. Lots of amazing improvisation and instrumental mastery going on. Many of the songs are classic jazz tunes we are covering, but putting our own special twist on.”
As a youngster, Bednarki said he had an interest in music from an early age, and drumming was especially appealing to him. His preferences in musical genres gradually expanded as well.
“Growing up, I would always beg to have the radio on when going from place to place, even as a very young kid. My love for music definitely started in classic rock/pop listening to music in the car with my mom and dad.
“I got my first drum set when I was around 4, but as it was a play set, I quickly wore through it and had to resort to pots and pans, whenever my parents would allow/could handle the noise,” he quipped.
“When I first started to play the drums, I was very into hard rock and metal, but I really started to practice drums seriously in high school, and I was definitely encouraged to practice jazz, preparing for competitions/performances with the school. “
While a student at Benjamin Logan, the area native said he participated in “just about every musical endeavor they offered” from band, jazz band, choir, show choir and musical.
“I would say jazz band was definitely the one I enjoyed the most and I was very lucky to be a freshman when Myles Bowers first started at Benjamin Logan,” he said of Bowers, who is continues to work as a BLHS teacher and as a band director at the school, including the jazz band.
“He is actually a huge reason why I fell in love with jazz/jazz drumming as he too has a passion for the art form and I remember always being very inspired after being shown new material/music. I couldn’t have lucked out more with him coming when he did.
“Mr. Bowers and all the music faculty were extremely supportive of my musical endeavors and always encouraged me to apply for different state ensembles and contests, which further propelled my interest and the time I put in behind the drum set.”
After his BLHS graduation, the now 26-year-old attended OSU, “originally for engineering, but quickly realized that wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
“I was lucky to already be involved in the jazz program there and eventually switched my major to music.”
While he was a student at OSU, he took the opportunity to meet and work with many different Columbus area musicians, which turned into various gigs around the city.
“I play all types of music: jazz, fusion, rock, pop, funk, hip-hop, country, and just about every mashup genre you can think of.
“The artists joining me on Saturday are some of the top jazz musicians in Columbus and I’ve been involved around them a few times now.”
Making a living as a musician and being involved in the regional music scene has been enjoyable and inspiring for Bednarki, who he derives a lot of his passion from being in the audience at concerts as well.
“I’m definitely motivated by what I see others doing. I make it a point to go see live music weekly and experience the talent that our cities have to offer,” he said.
“When I see something that’s inspiring to me, I’m filled with energy and wonder that propels me forward to work harder and keep pushing myself. I love the networking side of the music scene and have come to realize how huge that is. I’ve always been extroverted, so I think it suits me.”
As a young professional, he remembers the time not too long ago as a high school student when he was sorting out his future plans. For those considering the music industry as a career, he said their goals are within reach if they’re willing to put in the effort.
“If there was one bit of advice I could give to someone who wanted to seriously do music for a living through gigging/giving lessons, I would say to take your craft seriously. Put in the time required to get to a high level of mastery and after that if you still really want it, you’ll know.
“As with anything, if you really put in the work, good things can happen.”
Tickets for tonight’s show are available online at thehollandtheatre.org.