Q: Where did inspiration for songs come from?
A: The inspirations for my music come from all around – being on the road, my family, my friends, from nature and of course, listening to music and working with other musicians. Performing or just jamming with other musicians, you get a melody in your head, then that develops into something bigger.
Q: What are your hopes as a musician?
A: I hope that I will be able to continue composing and performing, and that the audiences also enjoy the experience.
Q: What is it like to have #1 jazz album?
A: It is amazing. I am very happy that this project, Chamber Music Society, is being so well received.
Q: How does jazz music relate to pop music?
A: You hear a jazz influence in pop tracks, the rolling bass or drums…It may not be upfront, it could be a little hidden, supporting the track.
Q: When someone listens to your music, what should they take away from it?
A: What ever they want! If they are inspired to dance, fantastic, to sing, great, to play along, even better!
Q:Who are some of your inspirations?
A: My family, my mother has always supported me and she bought me my first instrument, a violin, when I said that I wanted to play music.
Musically – the list is very long. Prince, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Stevie Wonder, various classical musicians and composers, Piazolla, Dee Lite, Joe Lovano, Milton Nacimento, Betty Carter – this is just some.
Q: What is a challenge your have faced in the industry and how do you deal with it?
A: Well, when I started working on this project, I was a little worried that this project wouldn’t be so easily accepted, the album is inspired by my love of chamber music, and my vision of fusing chamber music with jazz.
I had faith in the music and support from those around me. With that I let the music develop organically, and from this project there are actually now two albums, Chamber Music Society and Radio Music Society, which is more jazz, funk, hip hop.
Q: What advice do you have for young musicians?
A: Do study, and practice, join bands, play with other musicians, and listen to lots and lots of different music. And most important – enjoy it!