The Art of Rapport
Pianist Zaccai Curtis
The rapport between jazz musicians is fundamental to the ensemble’s synergy and flow, and as such, to the musical experience they bestow on their audiences. Particularly rich is how non-verbal communication enables band members to connect to each other with seemingly endless creative possibilities. I wondered: could this level of rapport enhance a leader’s ability to support and influence those they lead?
I marveled at the depth of rapport in two performances we recently attended. Greg and I went to a show at The Side Door in Old Lyme, CT. We’d been aware of this jazz spot for some time and when we found out that our JLP Trio pianist Zaccai Curtis was playing, we decided to take the hour drive. The ensemble, led by Zaccai, included bassist Essiet Essiet and drummer, Anton Kot. The performance was a tribute to the music of drummer and composer Ralph Peterson. Both sets were superb, and the rapport unmistakable. Still at Julliard, twenty-two-year-old Anton was a dynamic drummer who, at Zaccai’s encouragement, put together the set list. I noticed as Zaccai made ongoing eye contact with Anton. His expressions sometimes held inquiry, other times surprise or delight at Anton’s choices, but always with reinforcing support.
Live From Emmet’s Place
The second was a taping of Live from Emmet’s Place—an intimate monthly performance at the Harlem apartment of jazz pianist Emmet Cohen. We were among about a dozen people sitting closely around the band members. Mirroring my experience at The Side Door, the music was exceptional, and the musicians top-notch. I watched throughout the evening as Emmet turned intentionally to each musician at a particular moment in a song to connect, affirm, and relate to where they were. His enthused energy and openness were constant, serving to sustain the other musicians in ensemble flow.
These examples of rapport are why we believe strongly that jazz is a beautiful metaphor for the workplace. By definition, rapport signifies a close, harmonious relationship characterized by mutual understanding, empathy, and deep listening, where people or groups are "in sync" with each other. Rapport derives from the French verb rapporter which means to carry something back, in terms of how people relate to each other: what one person sends out the other sends back.
Rapport building can take many forms:
Empathizing with someone's emotional state by listening for key words and problems to be able address.
Matching the tone, tempo, inflection, and volume of another person's voice.
Non-verbal techniques, like jazz musicians practice, help get people into rhythm with one another:
Matching or mirroring a person's body language, like posture and gestures.
Attentiveness by maintaining eye contact, smiling, and nodding at appropriate moments, matching tempo and breathing cadence.
The rapport during the jazz performances is indicative of the depth of communication possible where you don’t need to put everything in words. To develop stronger relationships with those we lead and work with the art of rapport is essential.
Omni-American Future Gala
On November 12th, the Emmet Cohen Trio will be the featured ensemble at the Omni-American Future Project’s annual gala, themed “American Excellence.” Special guests include Coleman Hughes on trombone and Itamar Borochov on trumpet. Emmet will receive the Omni-American Young Leaders Award, and philanthropist, investor, and musician Roy Niederhoffer the Albert Murray Award for Omni-American Excellence. For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
