You don’t have to be everything to everyone. Don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to make everyone happy.
As a part of our series about stars who are making an important social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jordan VenHemert.
Saxophonist, composer and educator Jordan VanHemert has four critically acclaimed releases to his credit, and a fifth on the way in early 2024 (featuring Terell Stafford, producer Michael Dease, Helen Sung, Rodney Whitaker and Lewis Nash). Born in Korea and raised in Michigan, VanHemert makes music rooted in the jazz tradition and guided by a resolute political consciousness, illuminating issues of race and social justice. With a penchant for modern, swinging melodicism, he pays homage to his Korean roots while drawing on the blues-infused hard bop tradition handed down to him by his mentors.
Thank you so much for joining us on this interview series. Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
Absolutely a pleasure. I have loved music and more specifically, the saxophone, since I was a kid. In a world that didn’t make sense, the saxophone was always something I knew I could count on and it got me through some difficult times. Fast forward many years later and I now make a living as a professor and musician (composer, saxophonist). It’s been a wonderful path and I am grateful for it every day.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I was first starting out, I was so excited to play the saxophone that I just “taught myself” how to play it over the summer before school started. Of course, that’s in quotes because I taught myself a lot of wrong things — things I would later have to fix. What I learned is that enthusiasm is such a great thing for young students, but I learned to look before I leap and be a little bit more investigative before making decisions.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
First, I’m flattered that any young person would want to emulate anything I’ve done. However, I would say that the most important thing is to be true to yourself, be kind to everyone you meet, and always try to be creative in trying to find solutions for the problems that life presents us with every day. Those three things have been guiding lights for me on my own journey.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
There are many people who have made a profound impact on me. I remember a time when I was in graduate school that I met the late great saxophone legend Jimmy Heath, who was a guest artist at the University of Michigan while I was studying there. I had worked hard on my music, but I had a terrible week and was not feeling great about my progress as a musician. Jimmy took the time to be kind to me and specifically mention how he’d enjoyed my playing in one of our rehearsals together and took me aside and spoke to me. I’ll never forget that. This relatively small act really made a difference to me at a time when I really needed the encouragement.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
I believe that one of the core purposes of music is to bring goodness into the world, and part of how I pay this forward is by teaching the next generation. I’m thrilled to be partnering with The Slants Foundation’s Asian PaCIVICS program and working on a song that helps illuminate Asian American history to a greater audience.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
As an educator, I know that education is transformative, and I have seen in my collegiate classrooms that many students are not always aware of Asian American historical movements and historical figures. I hope that people will hear my song and think about the stories that we all have to share and that teaching Asian American history in schools of all levels is important to understanding our diverse and global society.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
We’ve yet to release the song but I hope it will transform the hearts and minds of those who experience the art that is created here.
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
1) Anyone can write a letter to their senators requesting that they support legislation requiring Asian American history in schools.
2) They can take the time to educate themselves about major historical figures such as Grace Lee Boggs, Yuri Kochiyama, Larry Itliong, and many more.
3) People can broaden the stories they take in and seek to develop friend groups outside their own ethnic group to seek greater understanding.
Why do you think music in particular has the power to create social change and create a positive impact on humanity?
Music is something that speaks directly to our souls about the human condition. Music expresses the truth of the people who create it on a visceral level, and as a result, music has the power to impact people positively from the inside out.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”?
1) It’s not a race or competition; develop your craft at your own pace.
2) Take the time to diversify your skillset and don’t worry about your tastes being eclectic — there is no “wrong” music to listen to.
3) It’s okay to not be perfect.
4) Rest is a necessary part of being a musician/person, not something you have to earn.
5) You don’t have to be everything to everyone. Don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to make everyone happy.
You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I hope more people start understanding the transformative power of education and why we should afford the dignity of including the history of all people in this country to further our learning.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. No person is an island and rarely is anything of note accomplished on one’s own. If I think of anything of value in my life that I have accomplished, it has always been with the help of others. I used to think that reliance on only oneself was what it meant to be strong — never asking for help. However, I’ve realized that humans have a need for community and we reach far greater heights when we climb together.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
Stevie Wonder. I have been a huge fan since I was a kid. I would just tell him everything that his music has meant to me and how it’s not only inspired me as a musician but has been my lifeline during the hard times.
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring, and we wish you continued success!
Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Jordan VanHemert Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.