The clock on the studio wall ticked past 10:00 PM, a late-night hum filling the space as the engineer put the finishing touches on a session. Across from him sat Jazz Lavar, alongside Burch Boy, both artists of the night, yet one held a secret identity. By day, Jazz Lavar was a dedicated medical assistant, his hands busy saving lives on the overnight shift. But when the sun rose, another rhythm took over, a pulse born from basslines and drum machines.

Still trying to find his way in the Winston-Salem’s music scene, he is a hip-hop producer by passion, a father by devotion, and a man wrestling with the unseen battles of depression. His journey back to North Carolina was a homecoming after a brief but impactful stint in Houston, Texas. There, he immersed himself in the vibrant hip-hop culture, collaborating with a diverse range of artists and even finding himself on the cusp of a breakthrough a potential collaboration with none other than one of hip hops top stars, Travis Scott. The opportunity, though extremely close, ultimately slipped through his fingers, a testament to the unpredictable nature of the music industry.

Returning to Winston-Salem meant a return to a different kind of grind. He now finds himself between the adrenaline of emergency rooms and patients needing assistance. Stating, “I never thought I’d be working in a hospital a day in my life, music was always my it”. Jazz finds himself struggling to maintain his desire for work. He’s replaced the dazzling lights of Houston’s music scene to now the familiar comfort of his daughter’s laughter. Jazz now navigates a demanding duality: the structured world of healthcare, where precision and calm are paramount, and the chaotic, expressive realm of music production, where raw emotion gives life.

A pivotal connection with someone he now considers a brother has ignited a profound transformation in Jazz. This rekindled flame, as he describes it, emerged from linking up with Winston-Salem, NC hip-hop artist Burch Boy. Jazz had been grappling with the lingering pain of betrayal, friends from the industry had taken advantage of him, using beats he created and denying him credit. Missed opportunities with Travis Scott, which could have been life-changing, added to his heartache.

“I’m grateful for my daughter,” Jazz reflects, “but I don’t think she’d be here if that opportunity happened, or she’d be well taken care of if it were still in my cards had I did get that opportunity. I just hate that it happened that way.”

Finding peace through music is something that’s happening a lot within the Winston-Salem Music scene. Take a look at Ed Bumgardner, who sought solace after the tragic loss of two important people. Like Ed, Jazz found himself in desperate need of support. He needed people who could help him break free from his funk or simply assist him in creating. This renewed connection highlights how music and mental well-being are intertwined, proving that they can indeed spark change and foster healing.

These days, you’ll often find Jazz Lavar at local guitar shops like Guitar Center, or his beloved “Hey Day” in Winston-Salem, NC. He’s there to unwind, channeling life’s challenges into the vibrations of guitar strings. “This thing here is my baby,” Jazz says with a laugh, quickly adding, “I don’t want to disrespect my pride and joy, my daughter, but she gets me through a lot. One pluck from her and she takes all the pain away, this is why I can’t leave her.” “Her” refers to his favorite guitar, a constant companion that “goes everywhere with him.”

Jazz’s beats are a direct reflection of this intricate balance. Sometimes they’re raw and gritty, born from the frustrations of a challenging day. Other times, they’re soaring and optimistic, mirroring the dreams he holds for his daughter and his career. Local hip-hop artist Burch Boy remembers the first time he heard a beat from Jazz: “The instruments he used were the poetry to my lyrics. I didn’t understand how he did it, but he just has it.”

Each track Jazz creates is a testament to his resilience, a sonic diary of a man who refuses to let life’s challenges dim his creative spark. His journey is far from over. Jazz continues to pour his soul into every production, hoping that his hidden talent, nurtured in the late hours, will one day lead him to the stardom he so clearly deserves, all while maintaining his sanity in the exhilarating, yet often exhausting, world of music.