Take Five With Omar Tamez

Meet Omar Tamez:

He studied music with master in composition. He studied with the composer and teacher Nicandro Tamez. Skillful courses of composition and/or conferences with André Richard, Daniel Catán, Mario Lavista, Manuel de Elí¬as, Helmut Lachmann, Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Has made concerts in Mexico, United States, Italy,

Instrument(s):

Guitars, flutes, kora, kalimbas, and many other small ethnic instruments.

Teachers and/or influences? Nicandro Tamez André Richard Daniel Catán, Mario Lavista, Manuel de Elí¬as, Helmut Lachmann, Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen.

Ornette Coleman, Tal Farlow, Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell, Sonny Sharrock, James Blood Ulmer.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when... I start to "see" the stories in sound.

Your sound and approach to music: Hard to say it, but basically I like strong and good music.

Your teaching approach: Make them "breath" and live in/on the music.

Your dream band:

Live ones: I wish to work with Henry Threadgill, Ornette Coleman, David Murray, among many others. But specially guys who believe and put soul and human being in music and not just a way of make a living.

And from the past: I wish to play with Charles Mingus,George Adams, John Dizzy Gillespie; so many great souls... Mal Waldron, Max Roach.

Road story: Your best or worst experience: My best story on the road was play in a small town in Japan as part of the Takefu International Music Festival, and we were unknown artists for the people. Even then, they walked to a mountain to be with us in a Buddhist church and make a beautiful human vibe.

Favorite venue:

Everywhere, if there are good humans ready to listen.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why? My next album is a duet with Steve Baczkowski, because we make great music and both believe in music as a way to be in society.

The first Jazz album I bought was: Not the first one but the first I heard was Birds of Fire, by Mahavishnu Orchestra, when I was nine years old; I always chose the LP for that beautiful cover. Years later, somebody told me, "That's jazz," so I answered "In that case I like jazz."

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

Did you know...

I got married last September?

CDs you are listening to now:

Charles Mingus, "At Antibes" (Atlantic);

John Coltrane, "Crescent" (Impulse!);

Joachim Kühn, "3 Penny Opera" (Gitanes);

Gateway, Gateway (ECM);

Ornette Coleman, "Free Jazz" (Atlantic).

Desert Island picks:

Charles Mingus, "At Antibes" (Atlantic);

John Coltrane, "Crescent" (Impulse!);

Joachim Kuhn, "3 Penny Opera" (Gitanes);

Gateway, Gateway (ECM);

Ornette Coleman, "Free Jazz" (Atlantic).

How would you describe the state of jazz today? Hard and strong.

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

What is in the near future? My festival at home. Tours. Learning, practice, make concerts. Teach better. My radio shows.

By Day:

24 hours in music.

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