Ernesto Cervini is a sought-after drummer, composer and bandleader and an influential presence on Canada’s modern jazz scene and beyond. He has documented his vision with the Ernesto Cervini Quartet (featuring Joel Frahm), the innovative, JUNO Award-winning sextet Turboprop, numerous co- led trio projects including MEM3, Myriad3 and TuneTown, and also the quartet Tetrahedron, featuring acclaimed guitarist Nir Felder, electric bassist Rich Brown and alto saxophonist Luis Deniz. Ernesto is also an experienced educator, on drums as well as piano and clarinet. He is currently a drum instructor at the University of Toronto and a guest lecturer in jazz business courses at Humber College and York University.
In addition to his performing career, he founded Orange Grove Publicity in 2014 and has quickly become one of the most sought-after jazz publicists in Canada. Ernesto lives in Toronto with his wife and their two children who are eleven and seven years old.
UKJazz News: What is the best advice you received about balancing/juggling parenthood and career?
Ernesto Cervini: When my son was really young, I found myself somewhat shell-shocked with the lack of time (or energy) for practicing or any sort of music activities. I was at a gig, and a really fantastic local bass player noticed my blank expression. He took me aside and encouraged me to enjoy every moment I could spend with them while they were really young and growing up. He also reassured me that as I grew used to this time-crunch, I would get better at finding ways to work on music at all and any hours of the day, away from my instrument!
UKJN: What information or advice do you wish you’d received but didn’t (and had to learn through trial and error or on the go)?
EC: Sleep when you can. I’m not a “napper” so I thought that would continue to be the case after kids. Turns out, sometimes you just need to sleep! Performing takes a lot of focus, and I find I definitely struggle to stay focused when I’m fatigued. Sleep when you can!
UKJN: Your top tip(s) for other parents in jazz:
EC: What you hear when you play, and what everybody else hears when you play is completely different. Enjoy your time in the trenches (as I call them) and enjoy every little moment as your little ones grow. You sound great! And you’ll be bringing a different maturity and approach to the instrument as you and your children grow. Once they start going to school, you will get your days back, and you will be able to focus on music during the days again.
UKJN: Best general travel/gigging/tour-with-child advice:
EC: Oh man….to be honest, I’ve never really had to travel/gig/tour with my kiddos. I have brought my son (now 11) to a couple of gigs on his own, and he really dug it. Let them see you doing what you do best, that brings you so much joy! Also, if you are touring, try to keep the tours to manageable chunks (I never go out for more than 2 weeks) so you can be home with your partner and little one(s) as much as possible. Solo parenting is so brutal…
UKJN: What is one way that figures or structures in the jazz industry could better support parents who are working jazz musicians?
EC: To be honest, I’m not sure how to answer this. I think becoming a parent is generally a choice we make, and this choice comes with a lot of responsibilities. Leaning on other people in our families and communities is a wonderful way to feel supported and be able to juggle parenting with musical creation
UKJN: What has surprised you about becoming a parent and remaining engaged with your professional activities and ambitions?
EC: I don’t think I could have ever believed how much being a parent can consume you. I’ve noticed that my life has become a lot less about “me” and a lot more about “us”, including my career aspirations. I think it’s so important to stay grounded and inspired within one’s musical career and ambitions.
UKJN: What boundaries have you set for yourself as a parent in jazz (could be related to travel/touring, riders, personal parameters, child care decisions, etc.)?
EC: As mentioned above, I try to keep my tour lengths to 2 weeks and under. I’m much more selective about what gigs I take in and around Toronto, and I keep the schedule of my wife and my children in mind while I’m booking all teaching/rehearsals/gigs. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s definitely important to try and make things work for everybody involved!
Ernesto’s latest album features his sextet Turboprop and is titled ‘A Canadian Songbook’ (March 2024). This recording is Ernesto’s reflection on the Canadian music scene and the wonderful composers within it, including Barenaked Ladies and Our Lady Peace, and pieces from Cervini’s contemporaries and friends such as Allison Au and James Hill. The group includes bassist Dan Loomis, trombonist William Carn and saxophonists Tara Davidson and Joel Frahm.
(*) Parents in Jazz was started (first as ‘Mothers In Jazz’) by vocalist Nicky Schrire in August 2022. The initiative aims to create an online resource for jazz industry professionals with children, those contemplating parenthood, and jazz industry figures who work with and hire musicians who are parents. The insight of the musicians and administrators interviewed for this series provides valuable emotional, philosophical and logistical information and support that is easily accessible to all. “Parents In Jazz” shines a light on the very specific role of being both a parent and a performing jazz musician or jazz arts professional.
