For installment number three in the "Meet the Band" series, we corresponded with bassist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and sonic-manipulator Matthew Golombisky. Matthew is currently living in Oakland, CA and we're very excited to get back together and enjoy his contagious enthusiasm and amazing musicianship. Read more about Matthew at his website,www.matthewgolombisky.com
1)
Who do you listen to/emulate on your primary instrument? Charlie
Haden, especially his work with Ornette, Liberation Orch., and the
Montreal Tapes. Larry Grenadier. 2)
What are some of your ‘essential albums’? My Funny Valentine 1964
Concert Miles Davis, Miles Smiles, Alone Together Jim Hall Ron Carter,
The Shape of Jazz to Come Ornette, Out To Lunch Eric Dolphy 3) Favorite bands? e.s.t., Opeth, The Bad Plus, Bjork, Radiohead, 4)
Who are some contemporary groups (or groups who are new to you) that
you’re currently enjoying? - Phoenix, Passion Pit, Cut Copy, Miike Snow 5)
How do you learn new music? First I learn the melody! I sing it, play
it, and then find harmony beneath it. From there I learn the harmony
that the composer wrote. After that, it's repetition. And remember you
can learn/rehearse a tune with or without your instrument: analyzing
changes, singing the melody and guide tones, can be done anywhere! 6)
How do you write/create music? I found myself freely improvising,
composing on the spot, during most practice sessions. I'd spend 10
minutes practicing a new scale or chord progression and then get
distracted. From there, I'd freely improvise for the next several
hours. 7) What YouTube or audio clip best represents your playing right now?
8) What do you like to do when you’re not playing music? Cook! and EAT! 9)
Any additional words of wisdom? It's all life! Everything ties into
everything. So be good, eat well, and open your ears/eyes; the ride's
more fun that way. --- If you haven't already, check out earlier profiles on Nick Finzer and Mike Kaupa. Coming up in the the next couple of weeks, profiles with Chris Ziemba and Chris Teal
For installment number 2 in the "Meet the Band" series, we quizzed trombonist, composer, and IfCM co-Director Nick Finzer! The Flathead Project will mark Nick's second time in Montana and 3rd trip to the inland Northwest. Since graduating from Juilliard's jazz program in the spring of this past year, Nick has been wrapping up his debut album, "Exposition". Read more about Nick at his website, www.nickfinzermusic.com
1) Who do you listen to/emulate on your primary instrument?
Some
of my favorite trombonists are: JJ Johnson, Curtis Fuller, Slide
Hampton, Steve Davis, and Steve Turre. Although, I like to take
influence from a lot of non-trombonists like Chick Corea, Joe
Lovano, Michael Brecker, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Miguel Zenon.
2) What are some of your ‘essential albums’?
JJ Johnson - "In Person" Dexter Gordon - "A Day in Copenhagen" Chick Corea - "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs" John Coltrane - "A Love Supreme" Herbie Hancock - "Speak Like A Child" Miguel Zenon - "Alma Aldentro" + "Esta Plena" Michael Brecker - "Pilgrimage"
3) Favorite bands?
Maria Schneider Orchestra, Chick Corea's Origins, Michael Brecker's Quindectet, Oscar Peterson Trio.
4) Who are some contemporary groups (or groups who are new to you) that you’re currently enjoying?
Miguel
Zenon, Joshua Redman, Dafnis Prieto, Luis Perdomo, Mason Brothers Band
(Brad and Elliot Mason), Booker Little (just started checking him
out!)
5) How do you learn new music?
Learning
new music has always been both exciting and challenging, and my process
has pretty much taken a 180 since I started playing music! I used to
try to memorize and learn tunes by memorizing off of the page, but at
this point I've transitioned to a more aural approach. By listening and
learning from the recordings, not only can you learn the tune, but you
can develop your ears at the same time!
6) How do you write/create music?
As
far as my writing process goes, it has changed a lot over the past
couple of years. A few years back my process usually consisted of
finding a musical moment that I really enjoyed, and trying to recreate
it (sometimes by stealing something directly from the original!).
Then,
it shifted to a more chordal or bass line/vamp, and try to build a tune
around that. However, I found that I always had a hard time finding a
good melody that fit over those vamps. Often I would compose this way at
the piano away from the horn.
Which
has led me to my current approach, focusing on the melody first, and
then finding the right accompaniment. Now composing on a combination of
my horn and singing the melody. So for me, it has been a constantly
evolving process, I'm sure it will change again...
7) What YouTube or audio clip best represents your playing right now?
8) What do you like to do when you’re not playing music? Writing
music, organizing projects, reading business/marketing books, web
design, The Office and the Buffalo Bills (don't judge!).
9) Any additional words of wisdom? Practice Slow!
--
Check in next week for a profile on bassist and composer Matthew Golombisky
As we get geared up to travel to Montana in November, the IfCM will post a Q&A with each member of the traveling band. We hope these will be informative and entertaining. Feel free to ask more questions in the comments section.
Up first, trumpeter, flugelhorner, and master jokester Mike Kaupa: 1) Who do you listen to/emulate on your primary instrument?
MK: Miles, Kenny Wheeler, Joe Lovano (approaching tpt like it is a tenor sax...Freddie Hubbard did that, too)
2) What are some of your ‘essential albums’?
MK: Miles Davis..."My Funny Valentine", Kenny Wheeler "Gnu High", Miles Davis "Milestones"
3) Favorite bands?
Joe Lovano groups...Pat Metheny Ryan Kisor groups
4) Who are some contemporary groups (or groups who are new to you) that you’re currently enjoying?
Brad Mehdau, Ben Monder/Theo Blackman
5) How do you learn new music?
Listen, read (if necessary), eventually memorize/internalize
6) How do you write/create music?
one
method...borrow form from one piece (ex. I want to write something
shaped like "Maiden Voyage) , groove from another (maybe something the
kids would like, like reggae or funk) , create very simple melodic
motive (two/three notes) that lasts throughout much of the piece,
depending on who I'm writing for, the chord progression can be very
simple and fairly unoriginal (a blues, or similar to a jazz standard) or
very original and challenging
7) What YouTube or audio clip best represents your playing right now?
"I hear a Rhapsody" with Ben Monder, Steve Wilson, Montez Coleman, Bruce Barth, and Ed Howard. recorded in Spain, 2005
8) What do you like to do when you’re not playing music?
golf
9) Any additional words of wisdom?
In life, stick with the straight shooters. --- Learn more about Mike at www.mikekaupa.com
