We caught up with the brilliant and insightful George Kramarski a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
George, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience, for me, has been shaped by two key pillars: my life as a musician and composer, and the challenges I’ve faced along the way.
A career in music demands an unshakable sense of perseverance. It’s easy to romanticize the idea of being a musician—who wouldn’t want to make a living playing music? But the reality is much more complex. It requires relentless dedication, the ability to handle rejection, and the willingness to push forward even when things don’t go as planned.
Early on, I had to fight for my path in music. My family supported my passion but envisioned a more traditional career for me. Despite this, I kept music at the center of my life and worked tirelessly to hone my craft while pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering. When I finally committed to music full-time, I knew I had a lot of catching up to do. Arriving at Berklee for my second undergraduate degree, I was surrounded by some of the most talented musicians I had ever met, and it was clear I had to give everything I had to grow into the artist I wanted to be.
That mentality has followed me throughout my career. Moving to NYC brought its own challenges—breaking into the scene, building a network, and finding my place in such a competitive environment. But I kept pushing forward. Over time, I’ve had the opportunity to work with incredible artists, perform in meaningful settings both in the U.S. and abroad, and lead my own projects. These moments didn’t happen overnight—they came from constantly showing up, saying yes to new experiences, and staying open to growth.
Releasing my debut jazz album, “Songs of Tides and Feathers”, as a bandleader was a huge milestone. It’s a project that brings together everything I’ve been working toward, both creatively and professionally. Seeing it come to life—and performing it with a group of musicians I deeply admire—was a reminder of why I keep going.
Resilience, to me, is about showing up every day, continuing to grow, and staying committed to my craft, no matter the obstacles. It’s about trusting the process and embracing the journey—knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to evolve.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a bassist, composer, and educator based in NYC. My journey as a musician has taken me across different countries and cultures, shaping my artistic identity in really meaningful ways. Originally from Colombia, I’ve had the chance to perform at venues and jazz festivals throughout Latin America and beyond, including in Panama, Costa Rica, and Chile. Those experiences have been huge for my growth—musically and personally—giving me the chance to connect with all kinds of artists and soak up influences that continue to shape my playing and writing.
My work is rooted in jazz, but I’m always drawing from Latin American rhythms and contemporary improvisation. I think of music as a bridge between cultures, and I try to bring a sense of honesty, curiosity, and emotional depth to the bandstand—whether I’m leading my own band, playing as a sideman, or jumping into something more cross-genre or collaborative.
Right now, one of the things I’m most excited about is the upcoming release of my debut album, Songs of Tides and Feathers. It’s a really personal project that blends composition and improvisation, and each piece reflects a different part of my musical journey. The album features a quintet—tenor sax, vibraphone, guitar, bass, and drums—and pulls from all the places and sounds that have shaped me over the years. I can’t wait to start playing this music live and sharing it with people.
Beyond performing, I’m passionate about music education. Teaching has been a meaningful part of my musical life, and I enjoy helping students develop their skills, explore their creativity, and connect more deeply with the music they love. I’ve been fortunate to teach in both institutional and private settings, and I see education as a two-way street that continues to challenge and inspire me.
Living in NYC has been a wild ride, in the best way. The city pushes you constantly, but it also brings so many opportunities to grow. I’m thankful for everything that’s brought me to this point—working with great musicians, studying with people I admire, and now getting to release my first album as a bandleader. I’m just looking forward to keeping that momentum going, sharing the music, and seeing where things go from here.
You can also check out my work at www.georgekramarski.com—I’ll be posting updates about the album, upcoming shows, and other projects there.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, there are three things that have made the biggest impact on my journey as a musician: staying curious, treating myself and the music with respect, and building strong community by taking care of others.
Curiosity is what keeps me growing. There’s always something new to learn, new music, new approaches/techniques, new ways of thinking about sound and creativity. Some of the biggest turning points in my journey came from being open to learning, whether that meant diving into different styles, collaborating with musicians from other cultures, or stepping into situations that stretched me out of my comfort zone. That’s where real growth happens. If you stay curious, keep asking questions, and stay open to change, you’ll keep evolving. Music is too rich and expansive to ever feel like you’ve “figured it out,” and I love that.
At the same time, music demands discipline and commitment if you want to take it seriously. It’s not just about practicing, it’s about how you show up. That means being prepared, respecting the musicians you play with, and honoring your own voice. Over time, I’ve learned how important it is to respect the process: to practice with intention, be patient with progress, and hold myself to a high standard without falling into self-doubt or comparison. That mindset has helped me grow not only as a sideman and collaborator, but also as a bandleader and composer developing original work.
Lastly, music is a communal art form. Some of the most meaningful opportunities I’ve had didn’t come from auditions, they came from relationships. The friendships and collaborations I’ve built over time, both in NYC and internationally, have opened doors and shaped the way I work. I try to be someone others want to create with—someone reliable, generous, and present. Showing up for your peers and being part of the scene in a real, supportive way creates a circle that keeps everyone growing. A lot of my professional work and recognition has come through that kind of mutual investment.
These three things—curiosity, respect, and community—have shaped every part of my path. They’ve helped me navigate challenges, stay grounded, and keep growing. And no matter where music takes me, they’re the foundation I always return to.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I think it’s important to develop your strengths, but being well-rounded opens doors you might not even know are there. Focusing only on what you’re already good at can be limiting—if you’re not willing to stretch into unfamiliar territory, you can miss out on some of the most rewarding opportunities for growth.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my career is that versatility creates possibilities. When I first moved to NYC, I quickly realized that the more adaptable I was, the more calls I got. The gigs that came my way weren’t always in my comfort zone, but being willing to put in the effort to grow in those areas allowed me to expand my network and play in musical settings I never would’ve imagined.
A great example of that was when my mentor, Lincoln Goines, encouraged me to learn the upright bass. I was primarily an electric player at the time, and I knew it would be a serious challenge—but I trusted his advice and committed to it. Developing my skills on upright completely shifted my trajectory. It opened up opportunities to play in different kinds of ensembles, connect with musicians I might not have otherwise met, and become more versatile within the NYC music scene. I started getting called for gigs that required both instruments, which not only expanded my work but helped me grow artistically. And I’m still working on getting better at it—it’s an ongoing process.
Being well-rounded doesn’t mean trying to master everything. It’s about developing enough range to move confidently through different musical and professional situations. You never know what will lead to the next opportunity. Sometimes it’s not your biggest strength that opens the door—it’s the thing you challenged yourself to develop along the way.
So yes, keep building on what you do best, but don’t be afraid to lean into the areas that feel uncertain. That’s where growth happens. And in my experience, that’s often where the magic starts, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.georgekramarski.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgekramarski/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@georgekramarski
Image Credits
Fabián Retana
Penélope Santana
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