Well, it's the holidays. Which means I'm taking a well deserved break to relax, spend time with the family, and...well, transcribe several hours of interviews for my Women In Jazz book project. In February 2013, I'll begin another round of interviews for the book. Before then, the plan is to get down on paper all of the interviews I've conducted thus far for the book. No elves to help me out either, but who's complaining? It's a blast to listen back to these conversations. I learn so much every time I interview a musician. I'm very lucky to have already interviewed such an amazing diverse group of people for this book.
The video above features music by three of the interviewees, pianist Pamela York, harpist Brandee Younger, and soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom. This season, consider BUYING music by your favorite local, independent musician or band. Buying a CD direct from a musician at their gig is a truly hip thing to do, take it from me.
As always, thanks for your support. Stay tuned for more updates once the new year gets rolling.
Pianist Pamela York'sCD Lay Down This World: Hymns And Spirituals is a beautiful example of a jazz recording making the case for the connection between playing music and spirituality. Leading a trio that includes Lynn Seaton on bass and Sebastian Whittaker on drums, with Houston trombonist Andre Hayward guesting on two tracks, York presents 11 re-harmonized and re-imagined hymns and spirituals. The resulting music is not only a joy to listen to, but illuminates the transcendence musicians experience when they are playing music.
Lay Down This Groove
Lay Down This World is York's third CD and the second featuring the rhythm section of Seaton and Whittaker. Her previous CDs, Blue York and Way Of Time, each included one hymn or spiritual.
"People really gravitated toward (those songs)," says York. "I didn't expect such a positive response."
Many of the arrangements on Lay Down This World began as preludes or offerings York played during church services. Bringing these pre-20th century hymns and spirituals into the modern musical age was not an easy task.
"They're written many of them in four-part harmony," York explains. "Like how they would appear in a hymnal to be sung. And just to make them into contemporary jazz changes…how was I gonna do that? And how was I going to improvise on these new progressions?"
"I had played (these tunes) in a church setting, but never really on my own with my own chord changes and using them as a vehicle for my improv. So that was really tricky, especially on the first track."
That first track is a driving version of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," with its familiar melody buoyed by a strong, Afro-Cuban groove.
"When I was first playing around with it," says York of that particular hymn, "I felt like it really wanted to be in 6/8 time. I felt like it really propelled itself in kind of Afro-Cuban feel."
York's unique approach to groove continues on the CD's second track, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives — Glory, Hallelujah!" which is anchored in a reggae rhythm.
"I had been listening to the Jamaican-born pianist Monty Alexander," says York. "Starting it off with that reggae bass line in the left hand, and then having Sebastian come in…it felt natural. Monty Alexander is somebody I've been listening to for many years. I just took that sound and kind of ran with it."
Houston-born Whittaker's tasty Sly-like drum fills are perfect for this particular track.
"We've been playing together for about 10 years," says York of Whittaker. "I think a lot of people know him as a 'traditional' player. But when he plays a contemporary groove it's just so solid."
"He's like a kid on Christmas morning at the drum set," she adds. "Every gig, every session, he just brings 100 per cent . . . 110 percent!"
York decided to perform the spiritual "Deep River" as a solo, allowing the music "to be inspired by the instrument I was playing."
"As I was practicing it and re-harmonizing it," says York. "There were just certain spots in the melody I knew I had to stretch on. I liked the freedom of doing it as a solo."
"One thing that happened when I was playing, when I played the melody the very last time, I played the melody very low on the piano. Of course, it is kind of a play on the word 'deep.' I really liked the way it sounded, kind of low and sparse on the piano. Just to end it like that was very satisfying."
More than just the notes
Music, be it classical, rock and roll, or jazz, has always maintained a power to transcend religious dogma and literalism and provide listeners with (dare I say it?) a spiritual experience. Lay Down This World is definitely a recording that will appeal to people of all faiths, and maybe even a few doubters here and there.
"I didn't grow up going to church," says York. "I wasn't raised in any particular denomination or anything. (But) music stirred up something in me…you feel like, 'Wow, there's something greater than me out there.'"
"A lot of jazz musicians will tell you they're coming out of the church," York continues. "They heard their grandmother play the organ, they had it from a really early age. Not so with me. But I do feel that music satisfies me in a way that's hard to describe to people who aren't touched by music."
"I even find that when I practice and have had a satisfying practice session at the piano, I leave very fulfilled and actually am a better and nicer mother to my children (laughs). It actually is that important to me to have that outlet. And if I don't do it, I'm more of a frustrated person."
York agrees that music offers a key to transcendence not only for the listener, but also for those who play it.
"In many different ways," she says. "It's more than just the notes."
Pamela York's CD Lay Down This World: Hymns And Spirituals is available November 13 from Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby.
Thanks for visiting the Women In Jazz book project blog. Women In Jazz is a book collection of interviews I'm conducting with women who play jazz in all of its guises and permutations. For more content, photos, videos, and music related to the project, check out the Women In Jazz page on Facebook and while you're there, click that "like" button!
I recently did a follow up interview with Houston pianist Pamela York about her new trio CD Lay Down This World: Hymns and Spirituals. A version of that interview will go up on Culturemap later next week, and I'll be sure to share it. And earlier this month, in the wake of hurricane Sandy, I interviewed New York drummer and big band leader Sherrie Maricle for the book. She's a hell of a drummer and her DIVA Jazz Orchestra is just awesome. Do check them out live if you can!
This month I'll be speaking to two pianists, Roberta Piket (you can check out some of her incredible recordings below) and Patrizia Scascitelli. I'll also follow up my profile for Culturemap of Houston tenor saxophonist Alisha Pattillo with a more detailed interview with her for the book. Very exciting.
As usual, this means I'm doing a LOT of listening. Only wish I had more time to listen to and play through even more music.
Thank you for your support for this project. 2013 we'll shift into high gear and head toward the later stages of completing the book. Stay tuned.
Thanks for visiting the Women In Jazz book project blog. If you haven't already, please check out the Facebook page I've created for this project and give it a "like." It's a fun page, with content related to the book project and the subject of women in jazz. It just topped 100 likes, so that's something, right?
Since my last post here I've interviewed more incredible musicians for the book, including flautist Jan Leder, and cellist Nioka Workman (see below).
THREE MORE interviews for the book are being scheduled, and I'll tell you WHO I'm interviewing next time. So stay tuned. And again, thank you for your support!
Good morning. I have no less than four interviews, no make that five, coming up this month an in October for the Women In Jazz book project.
Thanks everyone for your support. Check out the Women In Jazz book project Facebook page if you haven't already and give it a "like." I try to update it once or twice a week with relevant content and links related to the book and its subject.
The next person I'll be interviewing for the book is vocalist, composer, arranger, and visual artist Carmen Lundy. She's a wonderful singer. The video below gives you a look at her latest recording Changes which you can check out and buy from her website.
Right Photo of Terri Lyne Carrington by Tracy Love)
Well, a lot has happened very quickly since the promotional video for the Women In Jazz book project was completed.
First, please check out and give a proverbial "like" to the Women In Jazz Facebook page. This page has proved to be a great way to connect to music fans and even musicians I'll be interviewing for the book. The much maligned "timeline" format is actually a nice, visually pleasing way to share photos, videos, and other content related to the project.
In August, I interviewed drummer and composer Terri Lyne Carrington and the great Brazilian pianist and singer Eliane Elias for the book. Both interviews were fascinating. I was also lucky enough to be able to speak with saxophonist Jessy J and flutist Cheryl Pyle for the book. Next up, I'll be interviewing cellist Nioka Workman. More interviews are in the works, so stay tuned.
(Pianist Eliane Elias)
The Girls in the Band, a new documentary about the history of women in jazz music directed by Judy Chaikin, is out and currently touring film festivals across the U.S. The trailer looks great, and an article about the film appears in the September issue of JazzTimes magazine. If this film comes to your city, you don't want to miss it.
The film is not connected to by book project, by the way :) It is yet another welcome look at the history of jazz music from a fresh perspective.
The Women In Jazz Book Promotional Video is done. Thanks to Jonathan Jindra who created it for me and to everyone who contributed to funding it via Indiegogo.
The video is a collage of excerpts from interviews I've already conducted for the book. The voices you hear come from Jane Ira Bloom, Sofia Rei, and Mindi Abair. The music comes courtesy of Pamela York, Brandee Younger, and Jane Ira Bloom. Thank you to cellist and composer Lenae Harris who is also quoted in the video.
More news is coming. Please enjoy this short, dynamic look at the book project, and feel free to share it widely.
