Dexter Story: A Journey Like Few Others Pt. 2
Dexter Story’s journey through the music industry is like few others. Seemingly living multiple lifetimes in his 48 years, this renaissance man has had careers spanning from product manager for artists like Snoop Dogg, Musiq Soulchild, & LL Cool J, to booking acts for a busy LA nightclub, being signed as a rap producer by Sony, managing Meshell Ndegeocello, and ultimately finding himself as an artist. We sat down to discuss Story’s debut solo record on Kindred Spirits entitled ‘Seasons,’ but got a lot more story than we paid for. Be sure to read Pt. 1 of our interview before delving into Pt. 2 below!
Dexter Story: A Journey Like Few Others Pt. 1
Dexter Story’s journey through the music industry is like few others. Seemingly living multiple lifetimes in his 48 years, this renaissance man has had careers spanning from product manager for artists like Snoop Dogg, Musiq Soulchild, & LL Cool J, to booking acts for a busy LA nightclub, being signed as a rap producer by Sony, managing Meshell Ndegeocello, and ultimately finding himself as an artist. We sat down to discuss Story’s debut solo record on Kindred Spirits entitled ‘Seasons,’ but got a lot more story than we paid for.
Greg Errico: The Backbone to Sly & the Family Stone Pt. 1
When you ask any drummer about their influences, the list of names is bound to include a one “Greg Errico” no matter what type of music they play. Errico, most famously the drummer for Sly & the Family Stone, baffled a lot of people in the industry—a white drummer in a multi-racial and multi-gendered band that seemed to defy every boundary they met. We sat down with the San Francisco native to discuss what went on behind the scenes in developing some of the most timeless music with one of the most groundbreaking bands of all time.
Kendrick Scott: In Command, Out of Control
With Kendrick Scott’s latest Oracle record, ‘Conviction,’ topping the charts and making its way into iPods and computers around the world, we took some time to discuss the implications behind the meaning of the record as well as Kendrick’s entire perception of the drums as an instrument and more. Take a listen to the record, check out some of insight below, and grab yourself a copy today!
E.J. Strickland: A Different Energy
E.J. Strickland will be bringing his dynamic quintet to the Generations of the BEAT Festival this weekend for a set that is sure to bring the heat. We caught up with Strickland to discuss his unique development as a musician, his various methods of composition, and more. Be sure to catch the E.J. Strickland Quintet at 8pm on Day 1 of our drummer festival this Saturday 3/23/13.
Getting Personal with Jeff “Tain” Watts
A veteran of both the music and film worlds, Jeff “Tain” Watts is one of the most renowned drummers playing today based on both the scope and quality of his work. Appearing on literally every Grammy-winning record won by both Branford and Wynton Marsalis set him aside as one of the best, but for Watts that was only the beginning. We got Jeff to take some time away from his busy schedule preparing for the Generations of the BEAT Festival to discuss his role in Spike Lee’s ‘Mo’ Better Blues,’ his role as both a sideman and bandleader, and more.
Lenny White: A Kaleidoscope of Music
Before there was this obsession with jazz and hip-hop, there was a different intersection of music happening on the streets on New York, LA, and other cities around the nation. 24 hours after Jimi Hendrix played his first notes at Woodstock, Miles Davis called his musicians — Lenny White included — into the studio for what would become the ‘Bitches Brew’ sessions and that would be the beginning of a sound and approach to music that White would come to define. The marriage of these rock and jazz aesthetics brought us groups like Return to Forever, Tony Williams’ Lifetime Band, and more. Read along as we delve into the roots of this style, White impact on the history, and where he sees the music going today.
Michael Feinberg PresentsThe Elvin Jones Project ft. Billy Hart
If you get into a room with some of the most amazing drummers alive, who is the luckiest person in the place? I’d say the bass players for one and that is exactly where Michael Feinberg will find himself this weekend at the Generations of the BEAT Festival. Leading a project of his own origination in tribute to the late-great Elvin Jones is one feat, but Feinberg didn’t stop there. Bringing in one of the baddest drummers alive in Billy Hart has proved to bring the Elvin Jones Project to a whole new level. Read on below as we discuss the project and more!
Mark Whitfield Jr.: Internalizing the BEAT
Mark Whitfield Jr. comes from a dynasty of incredible musicianship and that has most certainly left a mark on his life as a musician. Beginning on the drums before even he could remember, Whitfield Jr. grew up shuffling around gigs with his father always eager to hop on stage and hold down the beat. Mark will be at the Generations of the BEAT Festival with his quartet for the first time on March 24th and he’s turning 23 that day too! Check out what he had to say about the upcoming festival, advice for developing drummers, and his experience growing up in a musical dynasty.
Alicia Olatuja: A Whole New Sense of Time
Alicia Olatuja came to national prominence with her solo for President Obama’s most recent inauguration with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, but with Olatuja the music goes a whole lot deeper than simply that performance. Between gigs with her husband, Michael Olatuja, as the Olatuja Project and backing up artists like Chaka Khan, Somi, and Christian McBride on vocals, Olatuja has crafted a unique space for her own music which she will releasing this Spring. Be sure to check out her process behind recording the album, working with incredible musicians, and more as we discuss her music.
David Weiss Leads Point of Departure
David Weiss is one of those unsung musicians on the scene in New York who has an eye for talented musicians and a penchant for fostering that talent. You can find him any number of nights frequenting jam sessions at Smalls, gigs at Le Poisson Rouge, and rehearsals in Midtown. A quick peek at his discography unveils names like Robert Glasper, Jeremy Pelt, and Marcus Strickland (all of whom he’s produced), Freddie Hubbard, Charles Tolliver, and the Cookers (whom he’s performed with), as well as the New Jazz Composers Octet and Point of Departure (both of which he leads). Point of Departure, his current focus, will be releasing their record and performing at DROM on Wednesday 3/6/13. Check out the concept behind Point of Departure and more!
NEXT Collective: Christian “aTunde Adjuah” Scott (Trumpet)
Leading up to the February 26th release of ‘Cover Art,’ we will be bringing you interviews with the musicians and previews of the songs each one arranged for the record, so check back with us often! Christian Scott brought one of the heaviest tunes to ‘Cover Art’ in arranging “No Church In The Wild” off of Jay-Z & Kanye’s ‘Watch the Throne.’ As a special guest and “quasi-producer,” Scott brought us some insight and storytelling from the process in a style very much his own. Check out what he had to say.
NEXT Collective: Matt Stevens (Guitar)
Leading up to the February 26th release of ‘Cover Art,’ we will be bringing you interviews with the musicians and previews of the songs each one arranged for the record, so check back with us often! This past week we spoke with guitarist Matt Stevens who arranged “Oceans” by Pearl Jam for ‘Cover Art.’
NEXT Collective: Gerald Clayton (Piano)
Leading up to the February 26th release of ‘Cover Art,’ we will be bringing you interviews with the musicians and previews of the songs each one arranged for the record, so check back with us often! Today we have a great interview with Gerald Clayton, one of two pianists on the record, who arranged D’Angelo’s “Africa” for ‘Cover Art.’
NEXT Collective: Walter Smith III (Tenor Sax)
Leading up to the February 26th release of ‘Cover Art,’ we will be bringing you interviews with the musicians and previews of the songs each one arranged for the record, so check back with us often! Check out tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III who arranged Bon Iver’s “Perth” for ‘Cover Art.”
NEXT Collective: Jamire Williams (Drums)
Leading up to the February 26th release of ‘Cover Art,’ we will be bringing you interviews with the musicians and previews of the songs each one arranged for the record, so check back with us often! Today we’re interviewing drummer Jamire Williams who arranged “Refractions In The Plastic Pulse” by Stereolab for ‘Cover Art.”
NEXT Collective: Logan Richardson (Alto Sax)
Leading up to the February 26th release of ‘Cover Art,’ we will be bringing you interviews with the musicians and previews of the songs each one arranged for the record, so check back with us often! Today we’ve got an interview with saxophonist Logan Richardson who arranged “Come Smoke My Herb” by Meshell Ndegeocello and “Twice” by Little Dragon for ‘Cover Art.”
NEXT Collective: Kris Bowers (Piano)
Leading up to the February 26th release of ‘Cover Art,’ we will be bringing you interviews with the musicians and previews of the songs each one arranged for the record, so check back with us often! Today we’ve got an interview with Kris Bowers, one of two pianists on the record, who arranged “Wonderfox” by The Stepkids and “Little Brother” by Grizzly Bear for ‘Cover Art.”
NEXT Collective: Ben Williams (Bass)
Concord Records’ NEXT Collective brings together what many are calling the supergroup of this generation of musicians. Combining the talents of Ben Williams, Christian Scott, Matt Stevens, Jamire Williams, Kris Bowers, Walter Smith III, Logan Richardson and Gerald Clayton, these musicians give some credence to the term “supergroup.” Originally conceived by Chris Dunn, Senior A&R at Concord, the record moves past the outdated “jazz” labeling and delves into the more pop-oriented influences of these incredible musicians.
Winter JazzFest 2013: Brandee Younger’s Afro Harping | A Tribute to Dorothy Ashby
Brandee Younger is uniquely qualified to be paying tribute to the great harpist, composer, and artistic visionary Dorothy Ashby this weekend at Revive Music Group’s Winter JazzFest stage. Not only has she been privy to private diaries, unheard compositions, unseen pictures, and untold stories from the late Ashby, but plain and simple Younger is one of the most exciting young harpists in the business! “It’s like stars aligning for me,” Younger explains about how she comes across these treasures. “No one can get in touch with the estate. Record labels even call me trying to get in touch with them.”
Winter JazzFest 2013: Dezron Douglas & The New Jazz Workshop
I’ll admit I tried to interview Dezron Douglas for a Winter JazzFest preview. I even should have taken the hint that his group is called the “The New Jazz Workshop.” Little did I know, it wasn’t me who was interviewing him, but it was Douglas giving me a history lesson, and a great one at that. There are few artists who are as cognizant of their artistry as Douglas seems to be. Luckily for all of you I took notes. Check out what I learned below.
Gordon Goodwin Pt. 2: The Bandleader
Gordon Goodwin is one of the leading minds in music today. He continues to pioneer a new era of big band music with his Big Phat Band, he composes for film and TV at Warner Bros and elsewhere, and he continues to educate the next generation of musicians around the world. Goodwin’s versatility is unmatched and his mastery of dynamics unparalleled. One listen of any of his work will get you hooked. Read on below for Part 2 of our interview with Gordon Goodwin, the bandleader!
Gordon Goodwin Pt. 1: The Musician, The Composer
Gordon Goodwin is one of the leading minds in music today. He continues to pioneer a new era of big band music with his Big Phat Band, he composes for film and TV at Warner Bros and elsewhere, and he continues to educate the next generation of musicians around the world. Goodwin’s versatility is unmatched and his mastery of dynamics unparalleled. One listen of any of his work will get you hooked. Read on below for Part 1 of our interview with Gordon Goodwin, the musician and composer, and look out for Part 2 soon!
Kyle Eastwood: The Eastwood’s Musical Legacy
Though he was born into film royalty, Kyle Eastwood decided to pursue the second Eastwood family passion — jazz music. As a bassist and bandleader he boasts five albums with a sixth on the way. As a film composer and arranger, Eastwood boasts work on films like ’Million Dollar Baby,’ ‘Invictus,’ and ‘Gran Torino,” among others. Read on below for some insight into the process of composing music for big-budget films, the Eastwood family jam sessions, and more! Also be sure to check out the Kyle Eastwood Group touring the US in 2013.
