An African American in Vienna
This presentation is designed to empower participants to follow their passion while adopting the importance of self-awareness, serving to empower the individual/group to clarify purpose and achieve. The speaker is Jon Sass, one of the most prominent tuba players of our time. Jon is a native New Yorker who grew up in Harlem and has navigated his way to an international career while based in Vienna, Austria, for the last 40 years. Vienna is known as one of the hubs of European culture. Still, it differs profoundly from where Jon was rooted in the early 60s, both in a southern town called Bassett Virginia, and in Harlem in NYC. It’s a documented period of history in the US that is today endangered to disappear. Two weeks after graduating from “famed” NYC High School Music and Art in 1979, Jon was invited to play with the popular European Jazz group Vienna Art Orchestra. “Considering my young age and my achievements before moving to Vienna, it did not take long to know that I was having a unique experience, although not uncommon for „foundational „African Americans.”
Look through Jon’s lens as a black man how his journey with the tuba presents a clear metaphor showing how knowledge of self, empowered inner strengths, to navigate through challenges, at times, in the face of his humanity and achieve. “The reasons for creating this program are the seeds I planted in Austria, such as my three children and three grandchildren.” Also, my contributions to music in Austria. At times, seen in the media, is the descriptive title „Tausendsasser der Tuba“ relating to Jon’s virtuosity. Austria has remained my home mainly because of its geographical location, which is still advantageous for managing an international career.
Jon will perform a mix of jazz and more, as well as original compositions for this program. Guest artists (TBA) will be invited to participate in the music selections. Be surprised! Reflecting the growing diversity and current changes in our world can be best realized when efforts are created with an all-inclusive frame regarding races, cultures, and generations. Jon was featured at the “America Reloaded One Year after Obama” Forum in Berlin together with Jonnie Owens.
Deep mystical sounds travel far and wide;
Disciples with mentor build side by side;
Brotherhood's fortune of unified minds.
Halos merged, celebrating humankind.
(Lawrence Hopper)
An African American in Vienna – Jon interacted with UW-Eau Claire’s minority student population, sharing his experiences as a minority person in Vienna and ways in which he turned his minority status into a personal and professional advantage in that setting and throughout Europe. The impact of Jon Sass’s visit to Eau Claire is still felt – students are excited about and are actively working on and thinking more creatively about professional life beyond college.” (Dr. Jerry Young University of Wisconsin)
