New Zealand's foremost jazz trombonist Rodger Fox says jazz is about the joy and heritage of its famous bands. He chats to Mark Story ahead of his Napier gig with the Ultimate Jazz Quartet next month.
Tell us a little about what's in store for us next month with the
Ultimate Jazz Quartet?
The quartet features drummer Dave Weckl who has developed and maintained a reputation among fans, peers and the international music community as one of the great living drummers. For this, he has received numerous accolades and honours; Modern Drummer inducted Dave into their Hall of Fame and named him "one of the 25 best drummers of all time". Featured drummer with the famed Chick Corea Elektric Band and the Mike Stern band; just a killer player and a very nice "cat". People will be amazed with what he can do sitting behind the drum kit - just spectacular. Add to that sensational vocalist Tony Lindsay. After 20 years as the lead vocalist for the group Santana, Tony has garnered 11 Grammy Awards, travelled on several world tours and recorded on seven CDs. For his New Zealand visit Tony will cover the material of Ray Charles, Bill Withers, Sammy Davis, Rufus and Michael Buble; this is classic material. But there's more - Downbeat award-winning saxophonist Adam Schroeder who performs with the Big Phat Band, the Clayton-Hamilton and Bob Mintzer big bands, then there is trumpeter Alex Sipiagin who has to be seen to be believed ... just incredible. All backed by New Zealand's iconic Rodger Fox Big Band.
Jazz is often seen as inaccessible or too intellectual to many.
I agree that some styles of jazz are inaccessible but this style I don't like or believe in. I endeavour to play and promote a style of jazz that has the joy and tradition of the famous bands such as Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie which connects with an audience and has a joy to the playing and engages with the audience. I want to see people smile at any concert of my big band performance. Enjoy-fun is what I go for.
Who's your biggest jazz influence?
I have many - in the big band style my favourite big band is the great Woody Herman Herd. When I brought a copy of a "live" LP of the 1963 Woody Herman Band (I must say that I brought it in 1970), the groove and vibe of that recording turned me on to the big band sound. Woody just had a presence - the band jumped out at you - with stellar soloist and a bloody swinging rhythm section and unbelievable ensemble playing, I was hooked. About 43 years later I am still hooked. If my band gets close to that Woody Herman sound I am a very happy man. Other influences come from the band that mix jazz/blues and rock together too. This is where Blood, Sweat & Tears came to my attention, and who remembers that trumpet solo on their hit Spinning Wheel. Then there is the band Chicago, or as they where known on the first recording named Chicago Transit Authority, which has the great James Pankow on trombone - fantastic.
What's the thing you like most about the trombone?
The sound. It can cry, it can rage, it can be sweet, but all in all I just love the instrument. More people need to learn it.