Interview with Scott Tixier

The next French generation!

It came to me one day when doing some musical contemplating what might others think?
So I thought why not ask?
And I reached out.
And they answered.

THE INTERVIEW 7
– a series of questions –

next up – Scott Tixier

• How Do You DescribeYour Music?

ST I must say that I have solid roots in classical and jazz music but I am playing in many different projects including pop, folk, r&b, contemporary, soul, blues and rock and that probably also influenced my music as well. I really don’t know how to describe it, I guess it’s modern instrumental stuff!

• What’s Your Latest Project?

ST Since I live in New York, the various musical projects in which I am involved occupy much of my time and therefore it is difficult to find time to focus on my own projects. But this year I decided to spend more time on a project I had in mind for several years, which was recording my first album, i played for several years with these musicians with many concerts around new york before entering into the studio, we did no more than 2 takes for each compositions and most of the time we ended using the first one. That was a huge experience at many levels and I must say, extremely well received by critics. So I am working on touring in 2013 with this project, we already started touring a little bit in the US.

• Do You Play More Then One Instrument? Do You Recommend That?

ST all depends of what’s your definition of playing an instrument is. I play music, instruments are tools to playmusic and all have their own aspects and angles almost like a prism to get into music, that probably influences your vision of what music is, how it feel. I started the violin and percussions when I was about 6 years old and It takes a life time to even understand or mastered an instrument on a technic aspect. Sometime I am using the piano, drums, bass, vocal in order to compose or just because I like to experiment on these instruments, and really play with them in the most primitive way. I think playing different instruments and/or be aware of what happening around can open your field of vision to better serve the music… I always check out what the drummer does, what the pianist does with the comping, the bass or other players…

• Who Are Some Other Players You’ve Enjoyed Collaborating With?

ST Most of my collaborations in the US since I moved here have been really rewarding, I had such a great time playing with Anthony Braxton’s latest project, after years having listening to his music it was unbelievable to met him, first he is a music genius but he is also really caring about people around him, a really nice human being. The collaboration with Dave Douglas at FONT, including Gerald Cleaver to play the music of Ornette Coleman, was truly exciting experience. Also I have been playing for about 2 years now with Joseph C. Phillips’s Numinous Ensemble and it is probably the most challenging music I have been across, that’s a facinating project. One of my first collaboration in NY was with Master Bassist Lonnie Plaxico and i learned so much from him.

• Who would you like to play with that you haven’t?

• Where Has Been One of Your Favorite Places to Perform?

ST Anywhere there is a good public, a good energy with a good sound system 😉

• Favorite Gear?

ST You use the one that’s right for you. People are different and have different expectations on what they want to sound. if someone important in your mind uses this particular Gear, it might not work for you! It won’t make you play like them. I am trying to experiment different gear once in a while to find what is good for me.

• Fav Summer Camps or Educational Opportunities?

ST Life…but I’ll never forget the first time I met Elvin Jones. I was 16 years old and it was at his Hotel in south of France (Barcelonnette). 10 years after, I often think about his precious advices.

• Who do you like to listen to?

ST It is evolving everyday and I am discovering new musicians very often but there are some people who are part of my musical development, my basics, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, Elvin Jones, Mccoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Michael Jackson, Bach, Mendelssohn, Vivaldi, Thelonious Monk, Stephane Grappelli, Bartok, Miles Davis, Django Reinhardt, Mingus, Prince, Coleman Hawkins, Michael brecker, Myron Walden and many others…I just say what was in mind now (ask me tomorrow it might be different)

• What Do You Recommend to an aspiring Improviser?

ST I feel like I am an aspiring improviser, every time I practice I am trying to be a better musician by asking myself how.

• How Do You Overcome Self Conscience Playing?

ST There’s been many times I would get depressed playing music. I never feel I’m good enough. Several times I thought I should just give up and the next day I found myself even more motivated. Playing live with other people, getting out of the practice room is for me the best way to feel better!

• Any Other Tips On Performance Practices?

ST There is the practice time, where you are into a laboratory, focusing on certain part or aspect of your playing… And there is the performance time when I am totally relaxed and open to the music trying to avoid any thinking.

• Final thought: philosophy, quote…anything at all…

ST “Nobody owns the music, it Running through all of us” John Coltrane