The Tap Love Tour Podcast Episode 133: Jeremy Pelt - Griot, with Guest Co-Host Lisa LaTouche
Oct 2, 2025
Jazz trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and award-winning tap dancer Lisa LaTouche dive deep into the interconnectedness of music and storytelling. Jeremy shares insights from his Griot project, highlighting the importance of oral traditions in preserving Black artistry. They discuss the role of tap as a pivotal form of musical dialogue and how mentorship shaped their journeys. With anecdotes of self-critique and the creative process, they explore the rich emotional landscapes that inform their work, pushing for unity between jazz and tap.
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Episode notes
Honesty Over Perfect Execution
- Jeremy says honesty matters more than perfection in artistic performance.
- He listens for whether his playing is an honest statement rather than flawless execution.
A Recording Crack That Lingered
- Jeremy recounts a 2000 recording with Vincent Herring ruined by a loud trumpet crack leaking into the sax mic.
- That imperfection stayed with him for decades and taught restraint in editing others' features.
Finding Jazz Through Family Influence
- Jeremy describes growing up in California with a musical household led by his mother and older sister.
- He discovered jazz via Miles Davis in high school and confirmed his calling after buying So What on tape.
