SEVEN QUESTIONS w/Adam Machaskee
NBJP: If you were about to have your last meal, what would it be?
AM: I am a sucker for Mom’s cooking: Corn Chowder appetizer, followed by Chicken Scaloppini with Tuna Noodle Casserole; My 3 favorites and if it’s going to be my last, I’m doing it all.
NBJP: What’s your favorite jazz club to go to if you’re going to hang?
AM: I really dig the Jazz Standard. I’ve seen some of the greatest shows of my life there and the atmosphere is really hip.
NBJP: What musician influenced you the most?
AM: The most influential is hard to say. Lately, it’s been pianist Taylor Eigsti, trombonist Andy Hunter and vocalist Gretchen Parlato.
NBJP: What instrument, other than the one you play, would you like to be able to play?
AM: I always wanted to be a piano player, just for the wide range of textures. But to be honest, I tend to try to play the trombone like a trumpet, so definitely the latter.
NBJP: What’s your favorite non-musical pastime?
AM: Racquetball. Bring it.
NBJP: What’s your favorite jazz tune?
AM: This one changes about once a year. Dolphin Dance, Stablemates and Blood Count have all held the title at some point. Right now, it’s Isfahan. I am a fool for Billy Strayhorn. His writing has an undeniable signature to it and is always dramatic, honest and sincere.
NBJP: What quality do you like least about yourself?
AM: I tend to be nervous in unfamiliar social situations. I always start to overthink everything when I get uncomfortable. However considering improvising in both music and life situations is essential to this career I am continually striving to be more relaxed and personable.
PLUS ONE: When did you know you wanted to be a professional jazz musician?
AM: I’ll let you know. I knew I wanted to be a musician in high school thanks to some very encouraging teachers. And although I primarily play jazz, in no way do want to limit myself to only being a jazz musician. I love playing and listening to some many types of music and believe life is so much more rewarding with diversity.
SEVEN ?s with DONALD EDWARDS
DONALD PERFORMS MAY 24, 2012 AT MAKEDA
NBJP: What’s your favorite city to play in?
DE:New York
NBJP: What’s the worst job you ever had?
DE: A Hotel Job
NBJP: Who’s your favorite non-jazz composer?
DE: Claude Debussy
NBJP: How old were you when you first played in front of an audience (beyond your family)?
DE: 9 years old
NBJP: If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
DE: I would wealthy in money as well as family and friends.
NBJP: If you were about to have your last meal, what would it be?
DE: Gumbo With Toasted French GarlicBread and Bread Pudding With Praline Rum Sauce
NBJP: If you could only own ONE CD, what would it be?
DE: Mile Daivs “Milestones”
PLUS ONE: When did you know you wanted to be a professional jazz musician? DE: At the Age of 19 years old
SEVEN ?s WITH TAEKO
TAEKO SINGS WEDNESDAY MAY 16 AT THE HYATT
NBJP: What’s the worst job you ever had?
T: Real estate broker inNew York.
NBJP: Who’s your favorite jazz performer?
T: Betty Carter
NBJP: What inspires you creatively?
T: Working out
NBJP: If you could only own one CD, what would it be?
T: “Audience with Betty Carter”
NBJP: What’s one liquid (other than water) we’d ALWAYS find in your refrigerator?
T: Milk
NBJP: Who’s your favorite singer?
T: Patty Austin
NBJP: What word or phrase do you overuse?
T: “Are you sure?”
PLUS ONE: When did you know you wanted to be a jazz musician?
T: When I first leftNew York City in fall of 1998 after staying for 6 months
SEVEN ?s with Anthony Ware
ANTHONY WARE PERFORMS THURSDAY MAY 10, 2012 @ MAKEDA
NBJP: What living musician has influenced you most?
AW: That’s a hard question to answer. I have a long list of mentors whose guidance has been irreplaceable to me. The top three are Anthony Nelson, Bruce Williams and Radam Schwartz.
NBJP: What would you want to be if you weren’t a jazz musician?
AW: I’d like to think I would have either become a visual artist or a computer engineer.
NBJP: What is your greatest fear?
AW: Others knowing more about me than myself. That or the Knicks never win another championship.
NBJP: What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
AW: McDonald’s fish sandwich.
NBJP: Dogs, cats or other?
AW: I think pets and I have agreed that we’re not good together. I once had two turtles… one ran away.
NBJP: Who’s your favorite non-jazz composer?
AW: Stevie Wonder hands down.
NBJP: What instrument would you like to be able to play?
AW: upright bass.
PLUS ONE: When did you know you wanted to be a jazz musician?
AW: In the winter of 1997 I was invited to a jazz workshop by my good friend Irwin Hall. There I met Radam Schwartz, Anthony Nelson, Bruce Williams and a host of other young aspiring musicians that sounded great. That day I knew I needed the music.
Seven ?s with Rachel Eckroth
Rachel performed for NBJP April 19 at Makeda
NBJP: Other than the instrument you play, what’s your favorite instrument to listen to?
RE: I am in love with the cello. It’s such a warm instrument, but I wish I could play the bass.
NBJP: What’s the worst job you ever had?
RE: When I first moved to the New York area, I worked at a store in the mall. I’m not really a customer service type person.
NBJP: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?
RE: My dream is to visit Tahiti, so maybe there.
NBJP: Who’s your favorite non-jazz composer?
RE: Astor Piazzolla is one of my favorites – innovator of modern tango.
NBJP: What’s the last book you read?
RE: A cookbook.
NBJP: What’s your favorite (“G” rated!) guilty pleasure?
RE: I love to travel. I am a huge fan of seeing new places, cultures, and would love to do that all the time.
NBJP: What musician do you believe has influenced you the most? (so far)
RE:: I connect to all of the different incarnations of Miles Davis’ musical contributions the most, so I’d have to say Miles.
PLUS ONE: When did you know? (That you wanted to be a jazz musician)
RE:When I was 15.
Seven ?s with Brandon Wright
Brandon performs Wednesday April 18 at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick
NBJP: How old were you when you first played in front of an audience (beyond your family)?
BW: I was fourteen years old and performed “The Pink Panther” theme for a talent show at summer camp. Although I left the stage, I was told I got a standing ovation!
NBJP: What’s your favorite jazz tune?
BW: I’ve never been one to name a single favorite tune, but I love performing compositions by Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Cedar Walton, Benny Golson, and Chick Corea.
NBJP: You are a musician, is there another art in which you’d like to be accomplished?
BW: Lately, I’ve been exploring the craft of acting and Improv Comedy. There are a lot of parallels between the two, and although I’m not sure how far I want to take things as an actor, I’ve gained some valuable skills that have made me a a better person and musician.
NBJP: What’s your favorite non-musical pastime?
BW: Snowboarding is a huge passion of mine. Don’t worry, I wear a helmet and wrist guards.
NBJP: What’s the worst job you ever had?
BW: Probably the first job I ever had. I was fifteen and took a job making drink orders (non-alcoholic) at a local breakfast/lunch spot in Long Beach Island. Minimum wage was 5.25/hr back then, and my hours were so unpredictable. Although they made great pancakes, the place was poorly run.
NBJP: If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be?
BW I’ve been fortunate to travel all over the world, and New York City is still the place I can’t wait to get back to. Maybe one day I’ll live a bicoastal life, but for now, I love where I live.
NBJP: Finish this sentence – I own too many
BW: …articles of clothing from Express.
PLUS ONE: When did you know that you wanted to be a professional jazz musician?
BW: When I was sixteen, my parents took me to hear my teacher, Walt Weiskopf, perform with his sextet at Smalls Jazz Club. It was the first time I heard jazz performed live and I thought what I heard was magic. I had no idea what they were doing, but I was determined from that day on I’d do my best to figure it out. I haven’t looked back since.