“This is a very special place”: Interview with Connor from the School of Music
Today we have a special interview with Connor Sullivan, a School of Music jazz bassist! Connor’s story shows how our School of Music students take advantage of the incredible opportunities Chicago has to offer. With enthusiasm, dedication, and no shortage of hard work, DePaul students are able to have incredible, life-changing experiences like Connor’s. Let’s dive in!
Hey Connor! Thanks for meeting with me today. So, to get started, how did you first hear about DePaul and the School of Music?
For being a performance major, it’s really important to have a good relationship with your private teacher for your instrument, so I had gone around asking teachers at these schools for trial lessons. I reached out to the jazz bass professor here, Dennis Carroll. After a tour of campus and the lesson, I actually went to his gig that night, which was really great because I got to see the things that we had talked about in the lesson in action. So a big part of what got me here was that relationship that I had already established before enrolling.
Making a faculty connection is a huge part of deciding on a college. Once you came here, what did you discover about the School of Music?
Something I realized quickly is how embedded DePaul is in the jazz scene here. You can see those connections all over the school—our professors are truly integrated into the scene. Like my teacher Dennis, he’s been one of the first call bassists for people coming in and out of town. A lot of the classical and voice faculty are in the CSO (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) or at Lyric Opera—you’re essentially like one degree of separation away from your musical heroes. That’s what made me realize, “wow, this is a really special place.”
Studying in Chicago, one of the best jazz cities in the world
Could you talk about what it’s like to study music in this city?
As a music city, Chicago has an incredibly rich history. Just as a whole. I don’t think a lot of people realize that house music was invented in Chicago. I mean, think about how big that is now, especially in Europe—Chicago is where that started. What’s great about being a musician here is that you get to do multiple things and do them really well. I know a really great bass player in town who plays in the CSO but is also a great freelance jazz bassist as well. People here do it all, they’re always trying to push the boundaries of art and music, and they’re doing it in their own way. And these people are your professors. They’re your close mentors.
What are some performance opportunities that you’ve had here outside of DePaul?
I have two that stick out. I had a residency at a restaurant/cafe in Rogers Park for a year and a half. We were there every single Friday. We’d start with a house set and then go into a jam session. Jazz musicians, Rogers Parks residents, even Loyola students would come to see us play standards and just be part of this community that was building up around our music. We had the same band from the beginning, and we got to develop into our own thing, with our own arrangements and tunes. It’s unique regardless of where it is to be able to have a weekly residency, that’s not that common. So to cultivate that environment was really special to me.
That is such a cool experience. How did you find this opportunity?
It was actually my first gig while living in Chicago. I had gone to the venue before when the residency was run by other students. I had subbed for one of them my freshman year in the fall, and then he kept calling me to do some gigs over the summer. His name’s Kabir Dalawari, and he was starting to get other gigs and getting involved with other projects on Fridays, so after we made a connection that summer he offered to hand it down to me. And I was like, “yes,I would really like that.” Right time, right place.
You mentioned another opportunity as well?
This past March, I also had the pleasure of joining a professor, Jim Trompeter, playing a gig at the Green Mill, which is one of the most famous jazz clubs in the city. I had made a goal for myself back in high school to play at the Green Mill before I graduate. I played there a week after turning 21—they’re very strict about that, I was the youngest there by a decent amount (laughs).
It was just a really great experience. It was the second time I had been there and it’s just such a historic jazz club that is so specific to Chicago. You know, it used to be Al Capone’s hangout spot! I’m really grateful for that opportunity, that will always be a very special gig for me.
You really get the sense that the faculty—and the other students, for that matter—in the School of Music are really looking out for you and trying to give you opportunities.
Without a doubt. In my freshman year, every single weekend my professor Dennis, the bassist, was playing somewhere in one of the clubs downtown. And when I’d say that, I’d contact him and be like, “hey, I saw you’re playing there, I’d love to help out.” So I’d practice in the morning and in the evenings I’d go to his gigs and carry his equipment and everything and just sit there and listen. Totally for free. It was such a great experience, I learned so much by doing that and really feeling that mentorship.
Finding college success at DePaul
Those are incredible experiences. Could you tell me a little bit more about your “arc” at DePaul. Did you come in knowing exactly what you wanted to study? Did it change at all?
When I came in, I felt that I was behind the other people in the program. One, because I was a freshman, and two, because I didn’t do a lot of those honors programs some of the other students might have. So I felt behind knowing many of the other students had played in All State. So I spent so much time practicing in my freshman year starting in winter quarter—probably like 6 hours a day, five days a week.
Wow, that’s amazing.
We audition every year for ensemble placements, and this year I was able to be placed into the top chair for bass, which I was really, really grateful for. That really meant a lot to me after coming in my freshman year feeling like I was behind. I worked really hard to get that chair and to get it in my junior year meant a lot. I’m just very grateful for the experiences that I’ve had here at DePaul. I don’t think I could have gotten them any other place.
Before I let you go, I wanted to ask–do you have any advice for a prospective student who might be reading this?
The things I would say for sure is that you don’t need to stress about your social situation. That figures itself out. You know, it might take time, but it will figure itself out. I think another thing is to not be afraid to keep investing in yourself while in school. Don’t be afraid to depend on your music as something you can go back to when you’re stressed. When things are hard, know that you can keep investing in yourself and it’s going to repay you.
Beautifully said, Connor. Thank you so much for talking today!
Of course, thank you.