For the most part there was nothing unusual about the process of again interviewing a very creative, talented and supportive musician. It was early September when I found myself writing and editing the profound musical experiences and thoughts of the fast rising bassist for the Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau trios, Larry Grenadier, into what's become this interview.
Then came the morning of September 11th. The hour when things changed for all Americans forever. Whatever agendas any of us had paled and were incomparably altered or forgotten...lost among the gravity of those events. What could be more important? Any of us who have a soul and heart could think of nothing else but those less fortunate.
For if we were able to ponder the imponderable, we were obviously ok, yet so many weren't. As we gradually pried ourselves away from the barrage of media coverage, we turned to each other and came together as a nation as never before. I found myself contacting as many friends, family members and musicians as possible to know for myself that they were alright.
Thankfully, most were and are. But all were of course changed. We've shown ourselves to be a strong, united nation in the shadow of an unprecedented and personal attack on our own soil. Those towers represented what New York had become and is today: unity, perseverance, strength and soul. Those towers were New York. And through so little effort and so quickly, so much was lost. Yet so much gained, as well. Its times like these when we find out who and what we really are. And in time we will be better than before.
Being that they and many other great musicians we knew were in the greater NYC metro area Larry and his wife, singer Rebecca Martin were among those we contacted regarding their well being. I was very relieved to find they and theirs were all right, and so I decided it appropriate to finish and publish the piece now.
Following is that conversation just prior to the events of September 11th, 2001. But as we repair our country and its people, consider how fortunate we are to have the ability to read this, to not live in fear or poverty, to not be persecuted for our many varied beliefs, to be healthy and independent and to be free and able to help others who desperately need it today.
At the end of this interview is a connection to the Red Cross where donations to the disaster relief of any amount will be welcomed. Please consider making one - as you consider that you were spared - for those who weren't.
AAJ: Larry, you've worked with a lot of great, contemporary improvisers and innovators. Could you elaborate on your experiences with the following musicians you've worked with...for instance, Brad Mehldau and working with that trio...
LG: Working with Brad and Jorge (Rossy) over the last 6 years or so has definitely had a dramatic impact on me musically. Having the luxury to play so much together as a band has allowed for us to get to a much deeper place individually and collectively. The 3 of us share a similar musical history: we grew up listening to a lot of the same records, we all came to New York at around the same time, and we were all interested in playing music that combined freedom within form. Our first gig together was a night at the Village Gate in the early 90's. I think we all felt that night the beginning of a musical chemistry that was unique. This has developed as Brad has written music with Jorge and myself in mind. We are collectively trying to play trio music without the standard roles delegated to each instrument. We don't talk too much about the music. We haven't really even rehearsed that much over the years. We work most things out on the bandstand. As a band we are aware of achieving a group sound made possible by the uniqueness of our individual sounds. I feel very fortunate to be afforded the space and the creative freedom that I enjoy with Brad and Jorge.
AAJ: Metheny's trio and Bill Stewart...
LG: I had always been a great fan of Pat's, so being able to play with him so much over the last few years has been an incredible experience. I really grew up listening to records like "Bright Size Life", "80/81", "Song X", "Rejoicing". I feel like he is one of the great songwriters of our time and as a guitar player he has developed an incredibly personal sound on his instrument. Like all of the great jazz musicians I admire, Pat can play one phrase and you know it's him. This has all been very inspiring to be around. The trio with Pat and Bill, like the one with Brad, affords me unlimited musical expression. There are also big differences however between the 2 bands. Playing with Pat is more like playing in a horn trio. It reminds me more of what it is like to play with say just a tenor player and a drummer. This effects the way I play behind him as opposed to the way I might play with Brad. There is a whole different color scheme, different textures that arise out of the sounds of Pat's guitars. This then effects the way I combine my sound with his. Also, Bill and Jorge are very different types of drummers. They have very different sounds, different feels. Bill is one of the most consistent musicians I know. Every night he reaches a level that is always inspiring. I think he is one of the great drummers of our time. Playing with him with Pat and also in many other situations, including his 2 solo albums, has been a great learning experience.
Complete on >> http://www.allaboutjazz.com/iviews/lgrenadier.htm
Amazing Bass solo by Larry Grenadier with Brad Mehldau and Pat Metheny Quartet.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment