December 2, 2024

Davide Sgarra (MM ’25) is a second year master’s student studying jazz clarinet at MSM. He talks to us about his time at MSM so far, living in NYC, and what inspired him to pursue a career in jazz.

ABOUT DAVIDE SGARRA 

Italian-born clarinetist and saxophonist Davide Sgarra is based in New York City pursuing a master’s degree at the MSM, studying with Donny McCaslin and Mark Shim.

Before relocating to New York, Davide studied at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, where he took lessons with John Ruocco, Chris Cheek, and Benjamin Herman. During his time in the Netherlands, he regularly performed in various jazz settings. In December 2023, he was featured as a guest soloist in a concert dedicated to Sonny Rollins with the Concertgebouw Jazz Orchestra at the Concertgebouw Theatre in Amsterdam.

Since 2021, he has performed extensively with big bands, swing bands, and smaller ensembles in Germany (Hamburg, Stade, Stuttgart, Hanover, and Oberhausen), the Netherlands (The Hague, Utrecht, Breda, Amsterdam, Voorschoten, Schiedam, Arnhem, and more), Italy, Romania, and New York City.

You’re originally from Varese, Italy, and completed your undergraduate studies at Royal Conservatoire den Haag in South Holland, Netherlands. What was it like moving to New York City?

Davide: Moving to New York has been a dream of mine since high school, so when it finally happened, I was incredibly grateful and excited. I love the fast-paced energy of the city. Coming from a small town, I deeply appreciate the opportunities this environment offers. New York is many things but I can honestly say I’m in love with the challenges this city forces you to confront and the genuine growth you experience as a musician living here.

Why did you decide to study jazz clarinet at MSM?

Davide: The clarinet has always been the instrument that resonates with me the most. Over the years, I’ve studied with many teachers and gained a good understanding of traditional jazz and straight-ahead jazz. I chose to study at MSM because it offered the opportunity to learn from some of the best musicians and teachers in the contemporary music scene. The experience has been incredibly enriching, especially as I explore how to play the clarinet in settings beyond those it’s traditionally associated with.

What is your favorite thing about the MSM Jazz Arts program?

Davide: I love that there are so many performances happening all the time. You get to focus on what matters most in music: playing with others. Since coming here, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in big band projects led by incredible composers and directors, as well as perform in multiple combos guided by the amazing faculty at this school.

Have you always been interested in jazz? What inspired you to pursue studies in the field?

Davide: When I was 13 and living in Italy, I started playing in a band in a small nearby town. One of the tunes we played most often was Jazz Band by Hengel Gualdi, a renowned Italian clarinetist. That piece sparked my love for jazz, and I’ve been passionate about it ever since. I later continued my studies with Alfredo Ferrario, an amazing Italian jazz clarinetist. Learning jazz has been an incredible journey. It has helped me discover more about myself and others.

Do you have any fun performances coming up?

Davide: I’ll be playing at ComboFest at MSM with Kendrick Scott’s combo, and I’m also planning a few performances in Italy during the Christmas holidays. Recently, I played at a spot called Fasano Baretto in Midtown, doing a set of Italian songs in a jazz style. It was super fun!

What are your thoughts on NYC’s Italian food?

Davide: There are so many great spots to get amazing Italian food around the city! Sottocasa is one of my favorites; they make fantastic pizza that really makes me feel at home. It’s also super cool to try Italian-American dishes. It’s interesting to see how the two cultures have blended together.