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Smooth Jazzin'
With Everette Harp
Everette Harp is one of those enduring jazz artists that has the uncanny ability to re-invent himself at the same time
he stays true to his artistry. It's hard to believe he has been on the recording scene for 15 years. Surely in the business
these days that is a lifetime! His longevity can be credited to his musical prowess and universal appeal, as his compositions
offer a blend of jazz, R&B, funk and pop. Able to play at a fiery set of songs and then follow it with a seductive, reflective
and lyrical ballad, Harp is like an alchemist in the lab, concocting all the right ingredients to set the perfect mood and
keep you in the moment. He is a master at his craft and his new CD, "In the Moment," further reveals why this saxophonist
remained successful on a fickle music scene. Hey, and anyone that gets to jam with former President Bill Clinton is alright
in my book!
Star - Everette, you have been at it for quite some time, nearly two decades. As talented and remarkable as you are, you
don't get the mega hype, the multi-million dollar tours... what is your motivation to keep going - what inspires all the creativity
and energy still prevalent in your compositions?
EH - It's never the big tours for us. We do it for the love of the music. Our hope is that at one point or another, things
might catch on and success would go over the top. There is something to be said about consistency and having a fan base. The
energy comes from the desire to make great music.
Star - How did the deal with Shanachie come about?
EH - They approached me. There were other labels, but at that point I wanted the most grounded label, one that was going
to be around.
Star - Talk about the focus of your new CD? What prompted it?
EH - I sat down and I started writing. I picked the best songs and made a record out of them. What binds them together?
They might not sound alike, but the musicality is similar throughout the record.
Star - What are some of your favorite tracks?
EH - "Happy Accident" - which was written by Chuck Loeb. It's beautiful... it has a Grover Washington feel to
it. Actually, at any point in time, I could pick any of them to be my favorite.
Star - What's the process - how do you go about putting a song together?
EH - It's a writing process. I got together with Rex Rideout and we wrote a song a day. Sometimes we just hung out or
we'd be near a keyboard and I'd have my sax. We'd go over ideas and we'd just start playing them. We programmed the music
first and then we'd replace that with live musicians.
Star - Is it different than when a singer puts together a song?
EH - I like songs. It's what I do. I don't wait for a special moment to happen. It's what I have been blessed to do. Whenever
I have the time to do it, I do it. Just do it. Songs just pop into my head. I don't really think about it - they come naturally.
It's rare that I
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sit and write a song based on an emotional experience, not to say that my music is not passionate.
Star - For you, what's the key ingredient to a good song?
EH - A good hook, a good melody, especially where the chords are concerned. It has to have a little bit more than a simple
chord change or if it's dance-able, or just ear candy. I'm a big fan of chord changes and composing them into harmonies. That's
what I look for to make a good song. I love funky songs, but I'll tell ya - I love to do a Chuck Loeb song with multiple chord
changes.
Star - Anyone out there now that you'd like to play with or do a track with that you haven't already?
EH - Outside the jazz realm, John Mayer. I'd welcome an opportunity to play with him. I've been very blessed to work with
a lot of people... I've had the dream job. George Duke has been on all of my albums, but I have never toured with him and
I'd certainly like to. Pat Matheny, too ... he's a great artist.
Star - Who do you listen to? What's in your CD player?
EH - Brian Simpson - an old friend of mine who has a CD out on Dave Koz's label. I love the new Charlie Wilson... he sings
phenomenally on it. It sounds like he is singing younger-end songs, but he sings them to the max. John Coltrane. Miles Davis.
When I do listen to jazz, I do listen to mainstream, but there are some artists you never get tired of hearing.
Star - Any advice to young people trying to make it in this biz?
EH - Find what it is you feel passionate about and do that. Everyone can make a record now days. He fact that you can
make a record, though, does not make you a recording artist or ready to record. The fact that you own the equipment does not
make you an engineer. It's not that they're not good, but they may not know how to do it right. It's more than technology.
Radio will still play a lot of this stuff, because no one really knows anymore. The era of the real engineer is gone and instead
it's the era of the producer, who may not even be a musician! So first, practice. Make sure you are more than good at what
you do. And you still have to practice. I still practice. It will go away if you don't keep at it. People want to make records
so they can get out there and be famous. Leaving a legacy of beautiful music is more important. I like being able to go places
and people not know who I am until I hit the stage, and I draw new fans.
Star - What do you do to relax?
EH - I play a round of golf. My wife plays golf and my daughter started playing golf, and then me. I have gotten addicted
to it! I have never been obsessive about anything more than music until this! Any morning I can get out there, I do it! And
on top of it I have a wife who supports it!
Thanks Ev! Good luck with "In the Moment!"
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