Jazz drummer and Denver native Colin Stranahan’s musical talent is the reason he’s the only undergraduate student enrolled in the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance. He is a third generation musician, behind his father and grandfather.

His father worked as a high school jazz and music teacher. Stranahan said he was blessed to be raised on all the jazz classics. His father educated him chronologically, from bebop to hard bop to avant-garde and so on, mirroring the progression of jazz music in history.

Since Stranahan grew up surrounded by jazz, he said he has “always had a positive response to music.” His grandfather played the drums, which drew Stranahan to them as well.

“Something about the drums really intrigued me,” he said.

Around the age of eight, Stranahan’s father could see his growing interest in music and offered him the opportunity to start drum lessons.

After graduating from an art-intensive magnet school, the Denver School of the Arts, Stranahan spent one year at the Dave Brubeck Institute in California. Both the Monk and Brubeck institutes strongly emphasize rehearsing and composing, and they often bring in big-name musicians to come work with the group.

“I feel that the Monk program provides more opportunities for education and traveling,” Stranahan said. “I am honored to have been a part of both; they have provided so many beautiful opportunities.”

While studying at the Brubeck Institute, Stranahan toured the world performing with several notable jazz artists. He then spent the next year continuing his studies at the New School University in New York City.

Despite Stranahan’s young age, he feels no different from the rest of the group. He said he has been humbled and believes that they share a common thread. The goal of the group, he said, is “to be a band and have a sound, but to also work on our own individual paths as musicians and artists.”

Stranahan said his best experiences have been touring with his band and with other bands throughout Europe.

Stranahan has released two jazz albums of his own: “Transformation” in 2006 and “Dreams Untold” in 2005. In these albums, Stranahan said he tried to bring elements of jazz together with the music of his generation. “Good music reflects the times,” he said.

Stranahan said he hopes to spend his life reaching people through his music. “Seeing someone touched by your art is such a blessing,” he said. “In my eyes, music can change the world and provide so much peace.”

Stranahan said he approached his Thelonious Monk audition with a lot of skepticism. After sending in his video, he was almost positive he wouldn’t get a call back because he was still an undergraduate student.

To his surprise, he received the call to come to New Orleans for the second part of the audition. Thrilled, but still doubtful, Stranahan said he was excited to visit New Orleans and thought it would be fun to play for some of his favorite musicians.

“I was really relaxed and just wanted to make music,” Stranahan said.

As for his musical influences, Stranahan said he gets his inspiration from the outside world and from more than just jazz musicians.

“Things are changing in music, and I see that. It’s what inspires me,” he said.

After completing the two-year Monk Institute program and receiving his bachelor’s degree, Stranahan plans to move back to New York to work and to perform again.

Meanwhile, Stranahan said he’s enjoying the culture, music scene and cuisine in New Orleans. But what he enjoys most about New Orleans is the sense of love and appreciation that infuses the city, especially after Hurricane Katrina, he said.

“The people are very inspiring to be around,” he said. “To know that they have been through something so drastic but still keep the spirit of New Orleans alive is really amazing.”

Melodie George can be reached at [email protected].