Take Five With Joe Ercole

Meet Joe Ercole: I started at age nine at Peabody Conservatory and graduated from Berklee summa cum laude in 1979. Composed and produced a club house techno CD called No Code and composed and produced for Bona Fide—also a founding member. Had two #1 hits, voted best new artist 2001 (Oasis award) and have won Emmy, Clio, and Telly awards. My solo albums include Manhattan Nights and Exposed (most recent). I worked with Stanley Turrentine, Bill Whithers and opened for Sammy Davis, Johnny Cash, Victor Borge, and Willie Nelson. Produced Christine Aquilera, Slimman and a host of others.

Instrument(s):

Piano.

Teachers and/or influences?

Dr. Drucker and Charlie Banacos. Influences: Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Keith Jarrett.

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

I was nine.

Your sound and approach to music:

Innovating.

Your teaching approach:

Clear, shortest A to B style. Heavy in theory and improv.

Your dream band:

Marcus Miller, Steve Gadd, David Sanborn

Road story: Your best or worst experience:

Best experience was my European tour. St Tropez. The nude beaches were inspiring, LOL!

Favorite venue:

Catalina Island.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?

Exposed. Most innovating. Mix of influences.

The first Jazz album I bought was:

Jimmy Smith The Cat

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

Teaching.

Did you know...

I like working deep in the 'hood. The dirtier the better.

How would you describe the state of jazz today?

Confused

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?

Freedom

What is in the near future?

Music from the 40's will live again. Pure be-bop. Jazz.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:

Medical Doctor.

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