We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Zagnit and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, how do you define success?
I think the definition of success changes and continues to constantly change, for me. Right now, it’s making sure I’m creating art in an authentic, honest, way. In a month or so, it might be polishing orchestral excerpts for an audition. Maybe what I’m trying to get at is— whatever I find myself doing, I try to put my whole self into it. If at the end of the day I did my absolute best, and I’m still breathing, I know in someway I succeeded, no matter what result I ended up with. These days I’m trying to appreciate the journey.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think what makes my art great is that it’s a lot of different things. My art is in sound, and in words. It is theatre, and it is concert music. It’s interpreting the work of others, and simultaneously mapping my brain on paper. Compositionally, I think my practice comes from trying to understand myself better, and inviting others to try to explore themselves, too. I like to think of the phrase ‘inviting in’. My work is a dialogue with the audience, always.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I am bicoastal, I’d have to jet them around! Just kidding— but perhaps if I could, we’d start by getting the best Brooklyn pizza at Sal’s at the corner of Court and Degraw st. Then we’d take a walk up to Brooklyn bridge park. We’d helicopter to LA, take a hike up to Griffith Park and maybe see the Hollywood sign, then finish the day out with conveyor belt sushi in Little Tokyo— and of course, drinks and conversation with all of my friends in the big house I stay in on 28th street near USC.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to all of the creatives who struggle finding a direction in their art making, and those who have helped push me along in my practice. Orin O’Brien and David Grossman, bassists of the New York Philharmonic, Don Palma, Levy Lorenzo, Jessie Montgomery, Gelsey Bell and Ross Karre. Special shout-out to my whole New School Performer/Composer MM cohort— who constantly inspire me and redefine what it means to be an artist.

Website: Samzagnit.com

Instagram: @sam.zagnit.bass, @confluss, @suzannetheband

Facebook: Facebook.com/samzagnit

Youtube: Sam Zagnit

Image Credits
Oceanna – oceannafilms.com

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