MusiConversations on Jazz with Jeff Kashiwa, Host Tom Schuman - Season 1 Episode 2 - Originally Aired Sep 2007

12/29/24 • 47 min

Tom Schuman, keyboardist for Spyro Gyra, hosts "Music Conversations on Jazz."

In this episode recorded in the summer of 2007 and originally aired in Sep 2007, he interviews saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, discussing their long friendship, musical collaborations, and careers.

Background and Friendship:

Tom and Jeff's relationship dates back to Jeff's time with The Rippingtons.
Jeff recently collaborated on Tom's solo project, Deep Chill.

Jeff's Career and Musical Evolution:

Jeff began on clarinet in school before transitioning to saxophone.
Influenced by jazz legends like Cannonball Adderley and Phil Woods.
His first teacher was his father, and a school teacher introduced him to jazz essentials through mandatory listening.

Musical Philosophy:

Jeff emphasizes individuality in saxophone playing, echoing Miles Davis’ sentiment: "It takes a long time to sound like yourself."
Discusses his growth, from emulating other musicians to developing a unique sound.

Collaboration Insights:

Detailed the process of recording remotely for Deep Chill, utilizing modern technology.
Shared anecdotes about the flexibility and challenges of digital music production.

Jeff’s Projects and Aspirations:

Recent and upcoming works include his new CD Play, featuring live studio recordings with his band Coastal Access.
Jeff recounts leaving The Rippingtons to pursue a solo career, resulting in albums like Another Door Opens.

Personal and Professional Life:

Balances family life with touring, finding inspiration from his daughter.
Reflects on music's purpose, aiming to inspire peace and connection with audiences.

Other Ventures:

Discussed The Sax Pack, a project with fellow saxophonists Kim Waters and Steve Cole.
Expressed interest in creating a live DVD to showcase the group's chemistry.

Tom Schuman, keyboardist for Spyro Gyra, hosts "Music Conversations on Jazz."

In this episode recorded in the summer of 2007 and originally aired in Sep 2007, he interviews saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, discussing their long friendship, musical collaborations, and careers.

Background and Friendship:

Tom and Jeff's relationship dates back to Jeff's time with The Rippingtons.
Jeff recently collaborated on Tom's solo project, Deep Chill.

Jeff's Career and Musical Evolution:

Jeff began on clarinet in school before transitioning to saxophone.
Influenced by jazz legends like Cannonball Adderley and Phil Woods.
His first teacher was his father, and a school teacher introduced him to jazz essentials through mandatory listening.

Musical Philosophy:

Jeff emphasizes individuality in saxophone playing, echoing Miles Davis’ sentiment: "It takes a long time to sound like yourself."
Discusses his growth, from emulating other musicians to developing a unique sound.

Collaboration Insights:

Detailed the process of recording remotely for Deep Chill, utilizing modern technology.
Shared anecdotes about the flexibility and challenges of digital music production.

Jeff’s Projects and Aspirations:

Recent and upcoming works include his new CD Play, featuring live studio recordings with his band Coastal Access.
Jeff recounts leaving The Rippingtons to pursue a solo career, resulting in albums like Another Door Opens.

Personal and Professional Life:

Balances family life with touring, finding inspiration from his daughter.
Reflects on music's purpose, aiming to inspire peace and connection with audiences.

Other Ventures:

Discussed The Sax Pack, a project with fellow saxophonists Kim Waters and Steve Cole.
Expressed interest in creating a live DVD to showcase the group's chemistry.

Previous Episode

MusiConversations on Jazz with Bob James, Host Tom Schuman - Season 1 Episode 1 - Originally Aired Sep 2007

Our MusiConversation with Bob James, was originally recorded in the late summer of 2007 and aired September 2007.

In this inaugural episode of Music Conversations on Jazz, host Tom Schuman interviews legendary jazz pianist and composer Bob James. They discuss Bob's illustrious career, current projects, and the creative philosophies that have shaped his journey.

Key Highlights:

Bob James’ Current Projects:

Bob shares his recent experience performing Beethoven’s Symphony with classical pianist Frederick Chu in a four-hand arrangement.
Upcoming performances include tours in Japan with a sextet blending jazz and hip-hop, featuring turntablist Rob Swift.

Career Retrospective:

Tom highlights Bob’s extensive body of work, from early albums like *Bold Conceptions* to collaborations with icons such as David Sanborn, Grover Washington Jr., and Paul Simon.
Bob reflects on his acclaimed albums *Angels of Shanghai* and *Take It From the Top*, emphasizing his exploration of Chinese music and cross-cultural collaboration.

Cultural and Musical Exploration:

Bob discusses how his *Angels of Shanghai* project blended his jazz style with traditional Chinese instrumentation, particularly the erhu. He describes the emotional depth of the instrument and the exceptional talent of young Chinese musicians.

Artistic Philosophy:

Bob emphasizes the importance of innovation, balancing audience expectations with creative growth, and refusing to be confined by past successes.
He views music as a universal language that fosters global understanding and strives for two-way cultural exchange in his projects.

Technological and Instrumental Insights:

Bob discusses his evolving relationship with acoustic piano versus Fender Rhodes, expressing a growing preference for acoustic piano for its dynamic range and depth.
Shares his experience refining piano sound with engineer Ken Freeman, resulting in pristine recordings.

Personal Anecdotes and Legacy:

Bob recounts early influences, including Stan Getz, and his family’s subtle encouragement toward music.
Reflects on the significance of music in fostering peace and unity across cultures.

Next Episode

MusiConversations on Jazz with Steve Oliver, Host Tom Schuman - Season 1 Episode 3 - Originally Aired Oct 2007

Our MusiConversation with Steve Oliver, was originally recorded backstage before a show Steve opened for Spyro Gyra in 2007 and aired October 2007.

In this episode of MusiConversations on Jazz, Tom Schuman interviews jazz guitarist Steve Oliver backstage before a performance with Spyro Gyra. The conversation delves into Steve's career, creative process, and musical philosophy.

Collaborations and Productions:

Tom and Steve recount their collaborations on Steve’s albums "3D" and "Radiant", where Tom served as co-producer and keyboardist.
The duo is working on Steve's next project, emphasizing their shared passion for creative synergy.

Steve’s Musical Journey:

Self-taught musician: Steve describes how he learned music independently, supported by books like Mel Bay’s guitar manuals and experimenting with chord charts.
Early influences: Growing up in California’s East Bay, Steve immersed himself in diverse music, frequenting record stores like Rasputin Records and exploring genres like jazz, rock, and world music.

Signature Style:

Steve’s unique approach combines vocal sounds with guitar melodies, inspired by artists like George Benson and Al Jarreau but developed independently.
He discusses his creative process, which often involves recording spontaneous ideas on his guitar and voice.

Technical and Musical Innovations:

Steve introduces his collaboration with Carvin on a new nylon-string synthesizer guitar, the NS-1, which integrates acoustic and MIDI functionality for diverse soundscapes.
Use of looping devices and percussion instruments like cajons and djembes to create rich, layered performances.

Creative Philosophy:

Music as a universal language: Steve views his role as a "peace warrior," spreading love and positivity through his art.
Balancing instrumental and vocal tracks: He plans to release a fully vocal album blending pop, jazz, and world music influences.

Performance Insights:

Steve performs solo shows that stretch up to three hours, describing the experience as transcendent and deeply fulfilling.
He emphasizes the importance of sharing music’s emotional impact with audiences.

Future Projects:

Steve hints at his next album, "Dreaming Awake", featuring a mix of uplifting lyrics and percussion-driven world music elements.
He shares his excitement for expanding his international reach, with plans to tour in Europe, Japan, and Australia.