Jazz and Disability: Connecting Through Improvisation and Adaptation

Explore the unexpected connections between jazz, disability, and human connection in this 17-minute TEDx talk. Discover how Christopher Manuel Player, a science and engineering teacher, draws parallels between musical improvisation and navigating the world with a disability. Learn about the serendipitous nature of making connections and how it can inspire us to embrace unfamiliar situations. Gain insights into Player's unique perspective on modular synthesizers, his grandmother Lolo Villaflor, Philadelphia jazz clubs, and using a cane. Understand how these diverse elements intertwine to create a compelling narrative about adaptability, creativity, and the joy of discovery. Reflect on the importance of celebrating diversity and finding common ground in unexpected places.