BCA-011: Berklee Oral History Project

Established in 1998, the Berklee Oral History Project (BOHP) seeks to chronicle Berklee’s rich history from those who have lived, shaped, and defined it. In capturing the diverse experiences and perceptions of Berklee faculty, staff, and alumni, Berklee Archives seeks to document Berklee’s pedagogical contributions to music education, as well as the events and issues that have impacted the direction and identity of the institution. This collection comprises video interviews from over 100 individuals closely associated with Berklee College of Music and the Boston Conservatory, including faculty, staff, presidents, and alumni. Some early interviews also feature individuals unaffiliated with Berklee who were active in the Boston jazz community.

Creator: Berklee

Producer (pro): Berklee Archives

John LaPorta, clarinetist, saxophonist, and member of the Berklee College of Music faculty, discusses his experiences as a musician and a teacher. He talks about learning to play; his experience in different bands in the 1940s, including the Woody Herman band from 1944 to 1946; his encounters with various musicians including Lennie Tristano; and the evolution of the music scene in the late 1940s. He also discusses teaching, from his start at the Parkway Institute in New York in 1948 to his primary career at Berklee starting in 1962, as well as his teaching philosophy and his thoughts on creativity and improvisation.

John LaPorta, 1998 August 12

Instrumental Performance Dept. Chair; Professor, Improvisation, Ensemble

View Full Information