Take Five With Dylan Kay

Meet Dylan Kay: Bandleader and guitarist Dylan Kay was educated at Berklee College of Music, the Guitar Institute and Oxford University. He has studied with some of the world's finest jazz teachers, including Mick Goodrick, Hal Crook, David Tronzo, Tim Miller and Richie Hart. Dylan has performed extensively in Boston, USA and throughout the UK, leading his own bands and performing with others, including working as musical director for US jazz singer Ellen O'Brien.

Instrument(s):

Guitar.

Teachers and/or influences?

David Tronzo, Mick Goodrick, Richie Hart, Tim Miller, Hal Crook, Carl Orr, Iain Scott and many more...

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...

I first had that feeling of being in the "zone."

Your sound and approach to music:

I'm interested in true improvisation and melody. I'm not a ""lick player" and work hard to avoid sounding like this.

Your teaching approach:

Each student is unique... But with regard to teaching jazz, I avoid the modes/playing from chord-to-chord route as much as possible. I encourage students to learn tunes and base their improvising on the material within. That and trying to play MELODIES.

Your dream band:

I'm very happy working with the musicians in my band 1224 Project. I strive to play with musicians who LISTEN, are sensitive to the music and creative.

Favorite venue:

'Round Midnight, Islington, London. Great stage sound, great vibe!

The first Jazz album I bought was:

Kind of Blue—Miles Davis

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?

Soul, interesting compositions, groove.

Did you know...

I grew up in Toronto, Canada and Johannesburg, South Africa.

CDs you are listening to now:

Jerry Granelli—V16

Wayne Krantz—Krantz Carlock Lefebvre

Messiaen—Quartet for the End of Time

Desert Island picks:

David Tronzo—Roots

John Scofield—Quiet

Pat Metheny—Bright Size Life

Joni Mitchell—Blue

How would you describe the state of jazz today?

In the UK, much of the jazz scene is still decidedly backwards-looking, but thankfully there are a number of cliques starting to have success in fighting against this. Jazz isn't dead here yet!

What is in the near future?

Rehearsing and writing in preparation for debut 1224 Project CD.

By Day:

Practising, teaching, exploring...