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Take Five With...
Take Five With Steve Myerson
How do you use the internet to help your career?
I have a website, http://www.stevemyerson.com, that I created, maintain, and update myself using RapidWeaver on a Mac. I also can be found at AAJ, MySpace, and my email address is steve@stevemyerson.com.
CDs you are listening to now:
Abdullah Ibrahim, Piano Solo (GmbH)
Andy LaVerne, Live at the Kitano Vol.1 (Steeplechase)
The Beatles, One (Capitol)
Dr. John, All By Hisself Live at the Lonestar (Sin-Drome)
Steve Ferguson, The Well-Tempered Piano 1-2 (Gypsy Hollow)
Desert Island picks: Dr. John, All By Hisself Live at the Lonestar (Sin-Drome)
Geoff Keezer, Zero One (Dreyfus)
Bill Evans, Alone (OJC)
Stevie Wonder, Songs In The Key Of Life (Motown)
Abdullah Ibrahim, Cape Town Revisited (Enja)
How would you describe the state of jazz today?
Outlook Positive—that is what I think a magic eight-ball would say. However, right now there are way too many musicians being pumped out of institutions that have no experience and are writing music that comes from a place that I'm not really sure of. I think music has gone backwards in the jazz industry. Hopefully things will change, and my outlook is positive!
What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?
- Musicians must build audiences by providing for them music that is approachable and yet still artistically satisfying.
- Musicians must stop playing for themselves.
- Musicians must make a stand to low-wages and bad deals.
- Musicians must pass on what they know to younger generations.
- Musicians must act together.
- Musicians must stay positive and only give off positive energy.
- Musicians must not blame anyone else but themselves.
- Musicians must practice and stay great at what they do.
- Musicians must spread the jazz word.
- Musicians must inform their audience but also treat their audience with respect.
What is in the near future?
Right now I am promoting and touring with my new CD, In Your Absence.
I hope to find some more musicians to play with and contribute to. I am really interested in being a side man on projects and other styles of music. I will also be working on composing and some more solo music.
By Day:
I teach private piano lessons at The Music Shop in Boonton, NJ. It is a very rewarding gig, and allows me to stay involved in music full-time, while paying my rent! I wouldn't want any other day job because I really enjoy teaching and talking about piano all day.
