Welcome to the home of all things... me.
I’m Stan O'Daffer, and I’m a musician. If I had to put a label on it—which I’m not crazy about—I’d say I’m a jazz musician. But honestly, that term has always made me a little uneasy. What is jazz, anyway?
According to ChatGPT, jazz is a genre built on improvisation, swing, and complex harmonies. And sure, that’s part of it. But to me, it’s really about freedom—freedom of expression. Whether it’s improvisation, rhythm, harmony, or something completely unexpected… if I feel it in my heart, I can create it.
Jazz is also a conversation. Sometimes it’s between musicians, and sometimes it’s just within yourself.
Most often, I perform as a solo pianist. That’s where I feel the most open. It’s like sitting down with a blank canvas—waiting for that spark of inspiration to turn into something real, something soulful. I like to call what I do “jazzical”—a mix of jazz, classical, and a bit of that Midwestern home cookin’.
Right now, I’m cooking up a few new projects—fresh music, some multimedia ideas—and I’m excited to share them with you soon.
Thanks for being here and giving me the space to create something you can listen to, feel, and hopefully reflect on.