Alvin Queen: The Move, The Groove and The Beat

MAXWELL CHANDLER,

Maxwell Chandler

Interviewer since 2007

Recent articles (13 total)

Published: October 2, 2007

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Current and Dream Projects

AAJ: What are you currently working on? Where can the fans keep track of your tour dates and releases?

Alvin Queen AQ: I'm working on many things, because I'm not only a musician, but I'm working within the production world organizing things for different companies and people. I've learned to be independent, and not to depend on anyone for anything.

If there's something out there that I want, I'm going to get it. I really don't care about not knowing a language, or learning the currency of a country. Just remember, I came back to Europe on my own and rebuilt a whole new life which I wouldn't have done in America, but I had a greater opportunity in Europe, so I stayed.

I'm government supported here in Switzerland, so for the most part, anything I ask for is given to me. I'll also receive all kinds of retirement funds when I become old enough to get it, and I have the best insurance coverage in the world, so what more could I ask for?

AAJ: This is my one stock question, but one whose answers always intrigues me: Do you have any dream project you have yet to do and what is it?

AQ: My dream project is to give back to the world what has been given to me, and that is to perform the true and the real form of jazz music, which I've lived and breathed for the past fifty years of my life. I was there with the greatest and I definitely wouldn't let them down at this stage of my life.

Elvin Jones use to say to me all the time, "You were definitely fortunate to be there, to be able to see it with your own eyes. Now put it into action and live it.

Selected Discography

Alvin Queen, I Ain't Looking at You, (Enja Records, 2006)
Alvin Queen/Lonnie Smith, Lenox and Seventh (Black and Blue, 2006)
Alvin Queen, Ashanti (Nilva Records. 2002)
Dusko Govkovich, Blues in the Gutter (Diskoton Records, 2002)
Alvin Queen/Jasper Thilo, This is Uncle Al (Music Mecca, 2001)
Alvin Queen, Hear Me Drummin' To Ya! (Jazzette, 2000)
Alvin Queen/Stepko Gut, Nishville (Moju, 1998)
Alvin Queen, I'm Back (Nilva Records, 1997)
George Coleman, At Yoshi's (Evidence Records, 1992)
Kenny Drew, Standard Request Live at Keystone Korner (Alfa Jazz, 1991)
Kenny Drew, Recollections (Alfa Jazz, 1989)
Pharoah Sanders, A Prayer Before Dawn (Evidence Records, 1987)
Niels Lan Doky, Here or There (Storyville Records, 1986)
Alvin Queen, Jamming Uptown (Nilva Records, 1986)
Alvin Queen, A Day In Holland (Sound Hills Records—8057, 1984)
Bill Saxton, Beneath the Surface (Nilva Records, 1984)
Ray Drummond, Susanita (Nilva Records, 1984)
Alvin Queen, Glidin' and Stridin' (Nilva Records, 1982)
Art Farmer, Round About Midnight (Jugton Records, 1981)
Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Jaw's Blues (Enja Records. 1981)
Alvin Queen, In Europe (Nilva Records, 1980)
Charles Tolliver, Impact (Strata East, 1975)
Charles Tolliver, Live at the Loosdrecht Festival (Strata East, 1973)