' The Artist Revealed ' Interview - May 2011
Q1 - Tell us a little about your current project or latest release ?
Actually I have a current live project entitled "Abdul Zuhri and Friends" and a latest release "Positive Vibe". The live project is always fun and very entertaining mainly because of the musicianship that flows within the group. Last July I had a CD release party and had Omar Hakim (Drums), Rachel Z (Keys), Jerry Brooks (Bass) and Roger Byam (Sax) ...... it was amazing! I recently performed at The Blue Note in New York City and had vocalist Cheryl Pepsii Riley who sang "Time To Heal" on my CD as a special guest, and Brian Dunne on Drums. We had a lot of fun!
My latest release entitled "Positive Vibe" is basically a Jazz Funk CD, but on this CD I also tried to give my interpretation of a Funky Jazz Montuno "Funky Montuno" as well as a Jazz Funk Bebop " Around The Way", a Jazz Ballad "Time To Heal", a Jazz Blues "Dulie's Blues" and a Jazz Fusion "Utopia". All in all I just wanted to create music that sounds & feels good and is very exciting to perform in a live setting.
Q2 - Did you have any guests appearing on the project ?
Yes. This first endeavor "Positive Vibe" is very special to me, because I had my life-long friend Omar Hakim playing Drums on all the tracks. Omar & I have been friends since I was 8 years old. I also had my good friend Jerry Brooks playing Bass on the tracks. Jerry, Omar and myself formed a Funk Rock band when we were only 16 & 17 years old...my first band! So this chemistry worked out very well just like it did on Omar Hakim's CD "Groove Smith".
I'm also very grateful that Onaje Allan Gumbs (Keys) & Roger Byam (Sax), both long-time musician friends from the neighborhood were able to join the endeavor. Cheryl Pepsii Riley (Vocals & Lyrics) --- Cheryl & I have been working on different projects for the past 15 years. Cheryl wrote the lyrics & recorded the vocals for "Time To Heal" on my CD.
Q3 - How long did the project take from start to finish ?
I worked on this project on and off for about 2 years.
Q4 - How do you go about marketing your music nowadays ?
I use CDBaby, ITunes, Amazon etc.... to sell my music, and have a few Internet radio stations like "JazzNet247" playing my music for which I'm very appreciative! I'm also trying to book live gigs like Jazz Festivals or Jazz Clubs, locally as well as abroad.
As an independent artist, I feel it's very difficult to market yourself correctly, because marketing is a full-time job that requires a lot of attention...so trying to come up with a good balance between practicing, performing and marketing is very challenging.
Hopefully someone who loves good music and is interested in promoting Independent artists on Jazz Festivals or in Jazz Clubs is checking out this interview.
Q5 - How do you see the industry developing over the next few years ?
I'm very hopeful for the industry opening up to more independent artists and discovering new and exciting music.
Q6 - Have you any plans to tour or appear at any festivals or events ?
Presently there are no tours... but I definitely have plans to perform at the Blue Note in New York City possibly late Summer or Fall. I'll always remain very hopeful for the opportunity to perform at some Jazz Festivals around the world.
Q7 - What do you do when you are not making music ?
I try to live a very simple life.... take in a movie, walking in a park, going to a nice Japanese Restaurant or just checking out a good concert.
Q8 - What does the immediate future hold in store for you ?
I've always felt that life is a learning experience and would like to continue my study of Jazz guitar, take a few lessons from some great Jazz guitarists such as Vic Juris, Mike Stern, George Benson or Chuck Loeb .... lessons from any one of these great guitarists would be positive & enlightening!!! Aside from that, I will continue pursuing my quest to perform at a few Jazz Festivals & Jazz Clubs around the world.
Website :- MySpace
