Q: When did you decide to enter the music field?
A: Hmm, would you like the short or long answer? Not long after I played my first band, I guess I realized how happy and free it made me feel. I'd never experienced anything like it before so I was instantly drawn to it.
Q: How old were you when you started? Did you even think of music as a business at all then?
A: I was quite late to the plate. I decided to learn guitar at age 24 and a few months later moved to electric bass and joined a band. Yeah, I did actually. I took on most of the admin type rolls within the band and booked us gigs and got interviews, etc. I thought if you want a job in music you need to diversify.
Q: How would you describe the jazz scene in Australia? Is it a supportive one?
A: It's extremely colorful. There's so many amazing musicians here it's a little overwhelming sometimes. And many of the older muso's willing to teach and support the industry. Local acts always have a crowd to play in front of and the public really appreciate it. It's encouraging.
Q: How popular is jazz in Australia?
A: I guess it would be more popular in the cities than regional and remote areas; however, I've played gigs in the bush and country people really like it. It just comes down to exposure I think. There are die-hard jazz fans in the cities and you can see live bands any night of the week.
Q: You have a background in hard rock and thrash metal with the bands Lysergic and Black Mask. How would you explain your transition into jazz?
A: Difficult [Laughs]. Once I started playing music I realized I needed to learn as much as I could and as fast as possible. My preparation for uni was intense, practicing over 40 hours a week and up to five hours of private tuition. Once I started the bachelor those numbers rose.
Q: What was the reaction of your old rock fans when you decided to switch to jazz?
A: Supportive. They thought it was great. Although I was at an after party once and after telling a chick how I was now studying jazz, her reaction was to burst out laughing. After she had settled down, I was able to discover that she somehow thought I meant jazz dance.
Q: What artists have had the greatest impact on you creatively?
A: I'd have to say Mingus, and Shorter a close second. Their composing techniques and improvisation really opened up my brain and stuffed it full of ideas.
A: Hmm, would you like the short or long answer? Not long after I played my first band, I guess I realized how happy and free it made me feel. I'd never experienced anything like it before so I was instantly drawn to it.
Q: How old were you when you started? Did you even think of music as a business at all then?
A: I was quite late to the plate. I decided to learn guitar at age 24 and a few months later moved to electric bass and joined a band. Yeah, I did actually. I took on most of the admin type rolls within the band and booked us gigs and got interviews, etc. I thought if you want a job in music you need to diversify.
Q: How would you describe the jazz scene in Australia? Is it a supportive one?
A: It's extremely colorful. There's so many amazing musicians here it's a little overwhelming sometimes. And many of the older muso's willing to teach and support the industry. Local acts always have a crowd to play in front of and the public really appreciate it. It's encouraging.
Q: How popular is jazz in Australia?
A: I guess it would be more popular in the cities than regional and remote areas; however, I've played gigs in the bush and country people really like it. It just comes down to exposure I think. There are die-hard jazz fans in the cities and you can see live bands any night of the week.
Q: You have a background in hard rock and thrash metal with the bands Lysergic and Black Mask. How would you explain your transition into jazz?
A: Difficult [Laughs]. Once I started playing music I realized I needed to learn as much as I could and as fast as possible. My preparation for uni was intense, practicing over 40 hours a week and up to five hours of private tuition. Once I started the bachelor those numbers rose.
Q: What was the reaction of your old rock fans when you decided to switch to jazz?
A: Supportive. They thought it was great. Although I was at an after party once and after telling a chick how I was now studying jazz, her reaction was to burst out laughing. After she had settled down, I was able to discover that she somehow thought I meant jazz dance.
Q: What artists have had the greatest impact on you creatively?
A: I'd have to say Mingus, and Shorter a close second. Their composing techniques and improvisation really opened up my brain and stuffed it full of ideas.
