Seven Questions

with featured artists

Seven Questions Blog2017-01-05T10:39:12-05:00

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH BILLY TEST

BILLY TEST PERFORMS FRIDAY JULY 6 AT SOPHIE’S 

photo: Annemarie Mountz

 

NBJP: Who’s your favorite non-jazz composer?

BT: I’m a huge fan of classical music, and I have a strong background in classical piano.  However, it’s extremely difficult for me to select a single composer.  I love Russian composers: Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Tchaikovsky, etc.  I’m also very influenced by French Impressionistic composers like Ravel and Debussy. Currently I’ve been exploring a lot of Aaron Copland’s work: he composed a lot of really delightful piano music that often goes overlooked.

NBJP: How old were you when you first played in front of an audience (beyond your family)?

BT: I was probably nine or ten the first time I performed in front of an audience.  I remember it was a talent show for my elementary school: I played an arrangement of Fur Elise!

NBJP: What’s the last movie you saw–and REALLY loved?

BT: That’s a tough one–I recently checked out Seeking a Friend for the End of the World in the theater a few days ago and was quite enamored with it…

NBJP: What’s your favorite (G-rated) guilty pleasure?

BT: Hmm… that’s a tough one, too.  I’m a huge book fan.  I spend hours and hours reading all sorts of stuff: biographies, philosophy, history, etc.

NBJP:  If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

BT: I don’t know if it counts as change, but I guess I have a never-ending thirst for knowledge.  I always want to learn more about the world around me, and use that new information to continue to refine who I am as a person and an artist.  In the end, I really want to learn better ways to use the tools I’ve been given to make a positive impact on the world around me.

NBJP: If you were about to have your last meal, what would it be?

BT: Buffalo Wings!  I’m an extreme spicy food fan!

NBJP:  If you could only own ONE CD, what would it be?

BT:  I never know how to answer this question, as I always know my answer would change depending on when you ask me and what mood I’m in!  I always find myself returning to the Bill Evans album Alone.  The recording really got me hooked on jazz.

PLUS ONE: When did you know you wanted to be a professional jazz musician?

BT:  I think I always knew I wanted to do something with jazz, especially performing.  However, I remember seeing the Count Basie Orchestra when I was probably 15 or 16, and being really blown away with how much fun everyone in the band was having. The thought of playing music that I enjoyed and having that much fun for a living really turned into the end goal after that concert. 

Seven Questions w/Andrew Atkinson

Andrew performs Thursday June 28 @ Makeda

NBJP:  What musical instrument (that you don’t play) would you like to be able to play?

AA:  I would love to play the piano

NBJP: What’s your favorite non-jazz tune?

AA: Currently “Seven Days” by Sting

NBJP: What is your greatest weakness (personal or professional)?

AA:   Professionally – Impatience for mediocrity 

NBJP: What’s a food you shouldn’t eat, but can’t resist?

AA: Bacon Cheeseburger

NBJP: What’s the worst (non musical) job you ever had?

AA:  I have worked as a musician my whole life. 

NBJP:  What musician influenced you the most…so far?

AA:  Vinnie Colaiuta 

NBJP:  If you could only own one CD/album, what would it be?

AA:  Keith Jarrett Whisper Not

PLUS ONE: When did you know that you wanted to be a professional jazz musician?

AA: When I heard jazz for the first time in middle school after doing classical music only. I heard A Night In Tunisia and I wanted to play the drumset after that! 

Seven Questions with Najwa Parkins


Najwa sings Wednesday June 20, at The Hyatt   

NBJP: What musician influenced you the most?

NP: I’m not sure I can say that just one musician influenced me the most, but I guess some of my biggest influences have been Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae.

NBJP :If you were about to have your last meal, what would it be?

NP:  In this moment I’d be happy to go out with jalepenos rellenos tacos, which are jalapeno peppers stuffed with Mexican cheese, deep fried and nestled in a fresh tortilla topped with diced onions (no cilantro for me).

NBJP: What’s your favorite non-musical pastime?

NP: I really enjoy reading. I love to get lost in a great story when I have a free day.

NBJP: What quality do you like least about yourself?

NP: Sometimes I think too much. My brain goes on overdrive and that can be stressful.

NBJP: What’s your favorite jazz tune?

NP: Another difficult question to answer… “Moonlight in Vermont” is one of my favorites.

NBJP:      What inspires you creatively?

NP: Nature, other musicians, a great story, positive and negative events that take place in my life…

NBJP:      What’s one thing other than milk or water we’d ALWAYS find in your refrigerator?

NP: There is almost always kale or some other leafy green vegetable in my refrigerator.

PLUS ONE: When did you know you wanted to be a professional jazz musician?

NP: I have loved performing for a very long time, but I think I really made a conscious decision to go for it when I went into the Temple University Boyer College of music and Dance to major in jazz studies/voice performance. I knew that this is what I love and I decided to put in the hard work to make a career of it.

SEVEN QUESTIONS with RUDY ROYSTON

NBJP : If you were about to have your last meal, what would it be?
RR: Culurgiones from southern Sardinia, my mom’s home made biscuits, and my wife’s banana pudding. (and in case you don’t know what culurgiones are–we didn’t–just click on the link above!)

NBJP: What’s your favorite jazz club to go to if you’re just going to hang?
RR: Smalls

NBJP: What musician has influenced you the most?
RR: The great trumpeter and my music mentor, Ron Miles in Denver.

NBJP: What instrument, other than the one you play, would you like to be able to play?
RR: I don’t want to play any other instruments: I love all things drums

NBJP: What’s your favorite non-musical pastime?
RR: Beach time with my family.

NBJP: If you weren’t a musician, would would you likely be?
RR: I would likely be a writer or chef if I weren’t a musician.

NBJP: What quality do you like most about yourself?
RR: I’d rather forgive than be angry.

PLUS ONE: When did you know that you wanted to be a professional jazz musician?
RR: I was a sophomore in high school when I heard Wynton Marsalis’s quartet, and realized I wanted to forever pursue creating music that inspires myself and others.

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH STAFFORD HUNTER

Stafford performs Thursday May 31 at Makeda

NBJP:      How old were you when you first played in front of an audience (beyond your family)?

SH: I think I was 10 or 11 years old. It was funny because during my first concert, I had maybe a 2 or 3 bar solo. Just 7-10 seconds. I was so nervous that my hand slipped off of my trombone slide, and it went flying off of the stage. I had to sit there until the song was over. I was so embarrassed

NBJP: What’s your favorite jazz tune?

SH: Hmm…. that is a tough one. Too many to make a choice.

NBJP: You are a musician, is there another art in which you’d like to be accomplished?

SH: Hmmm…. I’m not sure I COULD do anything else.

NBJP: What’s your favorite (G-rated) non-musical pastime?

SH: I used to love fishing as a kid.

NBJP: What’s the worst job you ever had?

SH: I worked in an Arby’s fast food restaurant when I was 17 or 18. That sucked!!!

NBJP: If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be?

SH: I think about that often these days. I always think about leaving the New York City area. I have been here since 1990. More than 20 years. Some times I think it is enough. Even though, some times I think there is no place like NYC. And, I can’t go anywhere. Hmm… IF I did leave… maybe I could go to Japan or Miami or San Francisco. Not sure. Maybe I’d look for a teaching gig at a small university in a small town… anywhere!

NBJP:  Finish this sentence –   I own too many ______

SH: I own too many just THINGS in general!!! Clothes, CD’s, dvd’s, etc… Take your pick. LOL

PLUS ONE: When did you know that you wanted to be a professional jazz musician?

SH: I never thought about being a professional jazz musician. I just did what I do. Play music. Any music. I have never stopped since I was maybe 16 years old.

SEVEN QUESTIONS w/PHILLIP MENCHACA

Phillip played for us last week–Friday at Sophie’s Bistro and Sunday May 27, at the Old Bay 25th Anniversary

ImageNBJP: What’s your favorite non-jazz tune?

PM: Sir Duke- Stevie Wonder

NBJP: What’s your least favorite sound?

PM: The sound of car horns in traffic! 

NBJP: What living musician do you admire most? Why?

PM: Kenny Garrett because he is constantly pushing his art to new limits while staying connected to the popular culture that we all live in. He is truly a relatable performer. 

NBJP: What’s one thing (other than water/ice) we’d ALWAYS find in your refrigerator?

PM: 2% Milk

NBJP: What’s the last book you read?

PM: “The Musical World of J.J. Johnson” by Joshua Berrett

NBJP: If you could live anywhere, where would that be?

PM: New York City of course!

NBJP: Complete this sentence: If I can, I try to avoid distractions and bad Mexican food!

PLUS ONE: When did you know you wanted to be a professional jazz musician?

PM: I was playing in a community college jazz band in my last year of High School. The guest artist was Bill Watrous and I had to chance to be featured with him onstage and trade on a blues. During the tune, I felt the rush of really digging into this music for the first time. After the concert, Bill came up to me and said, “Hey, you are pretty good, you should pursue jazz trombone”. I was hooked ever since!

Go to Top