IfCM Collective - Mike Kaupa

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.
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Learn more about Mike at www.mikekaupa.com