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The Pace Report: "Toots!" The Toots Thielemans Interview Part 2 wsg Kenny Werner

2011-09-23T11:04:53.920Z

In 1953 Toots moved to New York City where he became a member of Charlie Parker’s All Stars. But it was when he joined the legendary George Shearing Quintet where he played guitar and featured him to play some solos on harmonica. By this time, peoples perception of the harmonica was that of a kids toy and not taken seriously in music circles around the world. In fact, the only harmonica players that were making a dent musically were The Harmonicats and Larry Adler.

By the mid-1950’s Toots was making a name for himself as a session guitarist backing and recording with the likes of Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee. He also befriended bandleader, arranger, and producer Quincy Jones, who continues to play and record for to this day. Quincy adds “I can say without hesitation that Toots is one of the greatest musicians of our time...he goes for the heart and makes your cry.” (From Quincy’s liner notes from Q’s Juke Joint) Both he and Toots would record some great musical moments including the classic tune “Velas,” from Brazilian born composer Ivan Lins, on the multi-Grammy Award winning recording “The Dude.” He was also the featured soloist on Quincy’s soundtrack of “The Getaway” starring Ali McGraw and Steve McQueen.

But it was his signature record “Bluesette” that has become a jazz standard as well as segued him musically as a whistler and also gave him his first hit record.

During the mid-1960’s Toots did well as a leader but got involved in recording music for movies and television. His legendary contribution to the Academy Award Winning score Midnight Cowboy features many of his harmonica solos. He also composed and performed the theme to Sesame Street which has been part of the show for almost 40 years. Another milestone in Toots career is his legendary solos for the Old Spice commercials which he did for over a decade.

What keeps Toots going after all these years is his passion for playing music and the love he receives from many of his enduring fans. After seeing him perform numerous times and seeing fans both young and old, Toots embodies a silent confidence and strength that’s evident in his musical style and how he carries himself. He’s always happy and his music and his long life reflect it. I still believe we have more of Mr. Thielemans to come and another generation of fans to discover this mans real musical genius.

For upcoming show dates or to order his latest disc "Live," please visit him on the web at www.tootsthielemans.com.

The Pace Report: "Toots!" The Toots Thielemans Interview Part One wsg Kenny Werner

2011-09-20T00:20:12.083Z

For eight decades Toots Thielemans has given the world his gift of music in many genres of music including jazz, pop, world, and children's music. Toots has been heard in endless movie and television scores including many television commercials for over 30 years. He’s known as one of a few chromatic harmonica players with a style of his own. In addition to him playing harmonica, he’s also been a world renowned whistler as well as a cutting edge jazz guitarist. His many accomplishments haven’t gone unnoticed nor been slept on. In 2009 Toots was inducted as a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Inductee. In 2001, Toots was honored with the title “Baron” by Albert II the King of Belgium.The 89 year-old has been one of the most important music figures during the 20th century and is still very active playing many jazz festivals and clubs all over the world to the tune of up to 100 dates a year.

During this year’s 2011 Detroit Jazz Festival which took place during the Labor Day weekend in Detroit, Michigan, Toots, along with pianist and music director Kenny Werner, were one of the many headliners to grace the stage and festivities. I sat down with Mr. Thielemans before his set and we talked at great length about his long career and his many accomplishments.

Born Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor, Baron Thielemans on April 29th, 1922 in Brussels, Belgium, Toots began his career as musician when he was a little kid. His father owned a pub in Brussels and would come to visit his dad while he was working. Hearing the live music daily, one of the patrons of the pub noticed young Toots imitating the accordion player. Upon the musicians observation, he told Toot’s father that he likes music and that he should buy him a toy paper accordion. He did and was hooked on playing music ever since. When he got a little older he began playing the harmonica. Jean earned the nickname “Toots” due to two popular Belgium actors when he was little and has stuck with him all his life. He was also smitten by the harmonica when he saw an American film starring the late James Cagney in the 1930’s.

During the German occupation of Belgium, it was a lady who owned a record store not to far from where he lived, that introduced young Toots to American records by Louis Armstrong and other icons that shaped the new art form. He’d buy many 78 records and also listen to radio that aired American music that included jazz and pop. By this this time he was in his early twenties and and was playing guitar professionally during this period. Toots guitar influences were the legendary Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian.

It was his recording of “Stardust” where his dear friend Ray Nance took the acetate to clarinetist Benny Goodman in the United States. Nance knew that Toots possessed a great musical gift and Goodman heard him and asked him to join him on his European Tour in 1950. This was also the time Toots was playing both the chromatic harmonica and guitar.

In the first part of my exclusive interview with Toots, we talk about him growing up in Belgium and how he was exposed to jazz music.

For information on Toots upcoming performances or to order his latest disc, please visit him on the web at www.tootsthielemans.com.

The Pace Report: "Conversations With a Feelin' Good Bassist" The Christian McBride Interview

2011-09-15T02:21:53.292Z

Bassist and bandleader Christian McBride is about to release two of the most important music projects of his 25 years in the business. Mack Avenue Records is set to release “The Good Feeling” which is McBride’s debut with his big band taking music fans on ride that produced some of his most innovative and spine-tingling arrangements and compositions. The disc features guest musicians Ron Blake, Nicholas Payton, and vocalist Melissa Walker. Another important release is “Conversations With Christian” which is set for release this November. This disc is something that came as a brainchild from his XM Satellite Radio show which he’s hosted for many years. Throughout his many years as both a leader and sideman, McBride has interviewed some of the most prolific musicians in jazz, rock, soul, and hip-hop. So, he recorded music with some of the musicians from his conversations ranging from Regina Carter, Sting, and Roy Haynes. Also featured on the disc are sessions with the late Dr. Billy Taylor and Hank Jones.

Christian has worn many shoes both in front and behind the scenes serving both as an artistic and musical director for jazz festivals all over the world, a master musician and clinician, radio show host, dedicated husband,and heading his own bands. He’s toured music icons ranging from guitarist Pat Metheny to Chick Corea and John McLaughlin. McBride is one of the most requested bassists in jazz. The Philadelphia native boasts that “the bass was in his blood!” His father is bassist Lee Smith who backed the legendary Mongo Santamaria, to soul legends like Blue Magic and Brenda and the Tabulations. From the age of 8 years old the young McBride found his way both as a musician as well as spokesman for jazz.

In addition to heading his group Inside Straight, this year he’ll also be playing some special dates with the Christian McBride Big Band. To order “The Good Feeling” or “Conversations With Christian,” please visit him on the web at www.christianmcbride.com or www.mackavenuerecords.com

The Pace Report: "Threading Forward Musically" The Regina Carter Interview

2011-09-11T13:18:13.141Z

Only a handful of violin players have made a name for themselves in jazz music and Regina Carter is a pioneer in her own right. The Detroit native has made a name for herself unlike her contemporaries including the late Snuff Smith and Stéphane Grappelli to Jean-Luc Ponty. Carter’s unique blend of her musical upbringing which is as diverse as the Motown sound to the classical training and standards of Tin Pan Alley her mother raised her on.

Over the years I’ve been a big fan and have lots of respect for violinist Regina Carter. I’ve seen her evolve from when she used to play locally in groups around Detroit to her becoming a critically acclaimed musician and educator. She’s recorded a wide range of jazz recordings including “Motor City Magic” her tribute to the music she grew up listening to in Detroit and “Freefall” featuring NEA Jazz Master and pianist Kenny Barron.

Carter, a 2006 MacArthur Fellowship winner, recorded “Reverse Thread,” a world record that explores music from Africa. She just completed a weekend of live performances this year’s 2011 Detroit Jazz Festival and a week at the famed Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. Regina is about embark on a two month tour abroad.

While I was in Detroit, I took some time out of Regina’s busy schedule to talk about her musical journey and her latest project “Reverse Thread,” an exploration of music from the African Diaspora. She explains “I’ve been wanting to record a project like this for years but never had the support from her former record label.” She adds “E-1 Music was so gracious to allow me to release this project, which is an exploration of music from the Africa and other parts of the world.”

It was her recording “I'll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey” which featured songs from Tin Pan Alley and the great American songbook that earned her the MacArthur Fellowship in 2006. The Fellowship, nicknamed the “genius grant,” is an award given by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation every year given up to 40 people in the arts, literature, and academic who’s talent and contributions are making great and important strides.
According to their website, “the fellowship is not a reward for past accomplishment, but rather an investment in a person's originality, insight, and potential.”

Regina accepted the fellowship award and used the grant money to record “Reverse Thread,” her latest CD featuring folk songs from Africa. It was recorded from a chamber music perspective featuring a band consisting of her longtime bassist Chris Lightcap, drummer Alvester Garnett, kora player Yocouba Sissoko from Mali, and accordionist Wil Houlshouser from Senagal.

Make sure you support Regina’s latest disc “Reverse Thread” available on the E-1 label. To find out her upcoming tour dates visit her on the web at reginacarter.com. Reporting from the 2011 Detroit Jazz Festival in Detroit, Michigan for The Pace Report, I’m Brian Pace.

The Pace Report: "The 2011 Detroit Jazz Festival Opening Ceremonies" wsg Jeff "Tain" Watts

2011-09-07T23:11:43.713Z

This year’s 2011 Detroit Jazz Festival kicked off this year in Downtown Detroit, Michigan allowing music fans from all over the world to partake in four days on non-stop music ranging from straight-ahead jazz, soul, and world music. The four day festival has five music stages including a education stage that allows jazz students from other major universities and their jazz program to play and learn with some of the most prolific and groundbreaking musicians ranging from Joe Lovano, Regina Carter, Joe Locke, and Sean Jones. Also, a Jazz Talk Tent which allows journalists and music commentators to interact in a open forum where music fans can ask questions about the artist’s craft and their history.

Drummer and percussionist Jeff “Tain” Watts was this year’s 2011 Detroit Jazz Festival’s Artist-In-Residence. Other previous AIR’s include Regina Carter, Mulgrew Miller, and Christian McBride. Watts opened up this year’s festival with a program he produced and conducted called “Drum Club.” He composed music fused with classical, jazz, and world elements and invited a hybrid of musicians from all musical genres to play. Special guests included the legendary Cuban congero player Pedro Martinez, Nigerian drummer Tony Allen, Susie Ibarra, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, and vibraphonist Joe Locke.

New Orleans own the Soul Rebels Brass Band took to beautiful Campus Martius as they played music and got music fans dancing throughout the entire evening.

Closing out the evening was the “Sing the Truth!” program which featured vocalists Lizz Wright, Angelique Kidjo of Benin, and Dianne Reeves. This multi-talented music ensemble was lead and arranged by drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and backed by pianist Geri Allen, bassist James Genus, percussionist Munyungo Jackson, and guitarist Romero Lamambo. The show was steeped in the tradition of the music which includes jazz, folk, gospel, and soul.

For more info on this year’s jazz festival please visit them on the web at www.detroitjazzfest.com.