Roni Ben-Hur
Rondi Charleston
Rufus Reid
The end of day three wrapped up an incredible week of interviews with three amazing artists from the Motema label.
Roni Ben-Hur - Mojave While there will be an interview posted a little later next week, a sneak preview includes that a follow up to one of my top 30 for 2011 Mojave - is something to be looking for. While the Jen conference is primarily industry oriented, this critic left the conversation with Roni with a renewed sense of original literary purpose. There is a common theme that runs through these three talents that is truly inspiring and it is these two simple things.
1. Listen
2. Be Original
Rhondi Charleston - Who Knows Where The Time Goes During our interview I discovered that Erik Charleston who is a brilliant vibraphone player just happens to be her brother! Having done an in depth interview with Erick Charleston back in October the irony was not lost. Rhondi Charleston and I both agree that a sterile, analytical all most clinical review is not the way to go. Rhondi looks to push her music past certain accepted norms of what the traditional jazz singer may be limited by and make no mistake - these are self imposed limitations. Long story short, jazz does not have to be sanitized for your protection. Jazz is an inclusive genre where a myriad of musical influences can take the ordinary and push the genre to the extraordinary. Jazz can be real, honest and raw and that is a good thing!
Rufus Reid - Hues Of A Different Blue Reid admits still benefiting from his work with the great Dexter Gordon but Reid's music stands on its on merit. Unlike some of the younger players looking to hitch a ride to fame on someone else's coattails - Reid is old school, you learn by playing. Reid's passion is tempered with the wisdom and common sense that every young musician should hear. Reid even reminded this critic ( in general terms ) not to go into a review with an axe to grind. Let it go, if a release upsets you that much then move on. Truer words were never spoken. While life is too short to listen to bad jazz, it is far too short to allow any person to draw that much negative energy from your own creative process.
Full Interviews to come soon!
My sincere thanks to everyone at Motema for setting these interviews up and continuing to put the emphasis on the Music, when it comes to the music business!
