Pablo Masis was studying to be an orchestral musician when he heard jazz trumpeter Nicholas Payton playing in Chicago. The experience changed his life. He switched musical direction and dedicated himself to jazz. He moved to New Orleans where he studied with Terence Blanchard and received a master's degree in jazz studies. He spent some time playing in Omaha where he recorded his first album in 2008. The next year he moved to New York City.
Masis is in Brookings Friday for an evening concert. Music begins at 7:30 in the Performing Arts Center on the SDSU campus. Masis joined Jazz Nightly and discussed establishing a career in the jazz capital of the world and his recent experience teaching music in Afghanistan.
