Home » Jazz Articles » Take Five With... » Take Five With Curtis Andrews

411

Take Five With Curtis Andrews

By

Sign in to view read count
Meet Curtis Andrews: Drummer/percussionist/composer Curtis Andrews strives to create, assemble, mix and discover. Schooled in the jazz tradition, he prefers to take his music beyond that and has studied intensely, the music of Ghana and India. As a result, his debut album The Offering of Curtis Andrews is unlike anything you may have heard.

Instrument(s): Drum set, mrdidangam, mbira, various African percussion.



Teachers and/or influences? Teachers: Don Wherry, Trichy Sankaran, Kwasi Dunyo, Ledzi Agudzemegah, Avu Adukpo, Agbo Setsoafia, Sunday Nyakpo, Barry Elmes.

Influences: Music of the shrines, Carnatic music, life, Jimi Hendrix, Sun Ra.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when... I could spend hours at the drums and not be bored.

Your sound and approach to music: My sound is always developing. My goal is to just find my own original and creative voice and not follow others and the trends of the day. If I am happy with it, I know at least one other person will be too. Integrity and respect to tradition is also a must.

Your teaching approach: Obviously when someone comes to me for a lesson, they think I know something they do not. But I always hope to learn something from the student as well. If the student can leave the lesson with their minds opened just a little bit more, my job is done.

Your dream band: Any group which is open to exploring and creating together in the spirit of brother/sisterhood and to have fun doing it. Individual names and fames are irrelevant.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why? I guess that would have to be my own record It is the culmination of many things coming to a point...a beginning in many ways.

The first Jazz album I bought was: Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers' Moanin'.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically? In my own humble way, I hope I can open the minds and ears of the people listening by combining elements and influences in ways that may not have been done before.

Did you know... I once swallowed a silver chain.

How would you describe the state of jazz today? Expanding.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing? Truth, integrity and vision.

What is in the near future? Forming a new ensemble in Vancouver, BC, Canada to play my music.

By Day: No job...yikes!

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a: I don't think of myself as a jazz musician, actually.

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Jazz article: Take Five with Saxophonist Nick Stefanacci
Jazz article: Meet Tubist Jim Shearer
Take Five With...
Meet Tubist Jim Shearer
Jazz article: Take Five With Pianist Olivia Perez-Collellmir
Jazz article: Take Five With Bassist / Composer Jakob Dreyer

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.