Chris Brubeck & Taylor Eigsti Interview Page 4

Smitty:  Absolutely.  So going back to the music, it’s gotta be a treat to get together and do a gig every now and then.  It’s gotta be a treat for you.  Talk about getting an opportunity, after going full circle in some sense, to get together and say “Hey, let’s do this gig together.”

TE:  Yeah, I mean, shoot, I always have fun any time gigs come up with the Brubeck Brothers.  I mean, we usually do like at least a handful a year.

CB:  Yeah, a couple for this reason or that.  You know, it was interesting.  I would be remiss if I didn’t say that, although we were joking about Taylor’s mom liking the record that he’s not on better (all laugh), but hopefully she might be really embarrassed when we do this, but we did say that the regular pianist in the Brubeck Brothers Quartet at this point is Chuck Lamb and also the guitarist is Mike DeMicco, and Mike, Dan and I were, on the record, on Intuition, and on this record and on future records, Mike, Chuck, Dan and I are what the group is, but there are different conflicts.  Sometimes Chuck is really busy and working and then, of course, Taylor is too, so it just happens, but we just all really enjoy each other’s new projects.  In fact, soon I’m looking forward to listening to Taylor’s first foray into the orchestral world, which I hope he brought the CD I keep pestering him to bring.  (All laugh.)

TE:  It’s a really bad recording, man, let me tell ya.  I hope you’re not looking forward to much.

CB:  Yeah, but anyhow, it’s like that’s another world of discipline and I think when Taylor puts his mind to it, that’s gonna be another avenue for him to be exploring.  The suite is the tip of a big iceberg, I think, for using other instruments with his vision of music.

Smitty:  Yeah, a great vision at that, let me tell ya.  And we were talking about the snowboarding accident and everything, which really was a serious thing.  Some things you can kinda laugh about, but this was a very serious thing, but what I noted about you telling this story in your liner notes was, you know, we all in this world can run into an accident or a problem, but it’s not so much the problem, because the world is full of problems, but it’s how we approach the answer to that and how we view it and how we deal with it, and I think what you did afterwards is what I noted was so impressive because you took that time to really analyze your life, where you wanted to go, how you wanted life to treat you and thus the song.  What is it?  “Let it Come to You,” you know?

TE:  Yeah, I was trying to control too many elements of my life.  Logistically it was like every little thing.  I was trying to force different things to happen, but then I realized that the only thing that we actually have control over is our own personal happiness pretty much, so as long as I could get that in check, I would let the rest of the stuff, you know, just try to work as hard as I can and let whatever happens happen because it’s gonna happen anyways whether I like it or not.

Smitty:  Yeah, well, I gotta tell you guys, these two projects are just incredibly good and I’m just so happy that my ears were able to stand all the greatness of these two projects because they’re that good, I tell ya, and I’m so thankful, Chris, that you turned me on to Taylor’s music, you know?

CB:  Gee.

Smitty:  Because, Taylor, this record, I hope everyone gets a copy because if they don’t, they’re missing something, and the same with Classified.  My Gosh, Chris, how often can you hear the Amani Winds in this kind of collaboration?  I mean, what you and Dan and Chuck and Mike did with these great players is just almost a once in a lifetime kind of thing.

CB:  Well, yeah, I think it’s a pretty special concept and I know it’s kinda new and I really hope that the jazz community stretches their ear to embrace it.  And also, importantly, I hope the classical community will get off their tuxedoed podium a bit and embrace it.

Smitty:  Yeah, because it is—

CB:  Because I don’t know about any classical people that are writing about this thing yet and yet I know whenever we do it for a classical audience they are really thrilled because it’s like “Oh my Gosh!”  It’s music, it’s composed, but it’s really alive and vital, and it’s got this presence and energy that we’ve been waiting for in classical music.  And it’s there sometimes, but it could be there all the time.  And that’s why I’m hoping a piece like this, besides working in itself, will kick that door open a little wider, that other people have been working on that.

Smitty:  Yeah, I would like to see this kind of music being introduced in the school systems for the kids to really embrace and see that they can stretch out their minds, and I think music generally as a whole really opens up the minds, the young minds, to new explorations and journeys of music, and I think this would be fantastic for that.

CB:  Oh yeah, yeah, absolutely, I agree, and music opens up their minds and just helps the brain to get working and even in non-musical ways.

Smitty:  Yeah, on some positive things.

CB:  The key to get people to be thinking about creativity.  Each individual’s different.  For some people it might be the thrill of a chess game or the basketball tournament or whatever, but that’s why it’s so important to keep music in the schools because there are some kids that don’t really come alive or shine until it’s music, and that’s their thing.

Smitty:  Absolutely, yeah.  So now tell me, the drop dates for these two records, they’re already out, right?

CB:  Yes.

Smitty:  All right, so they’re available in stores and online and all that good stuff?

CB:  Yes.

Smitty:  Absolutely.  All right, so I just want to once again congratulate you both.  Taylor, I’ve been talking to Chris about you for the last few days and we were just discussing how great this record is and how far you’ve come in such a short period of time.  Man, you have got a seriously cool vibe and I would say to you continue to do what you do and keep your flava strong and, Chris, I don’t have to tell him much.  He’s just a genius anyway.

TE:  Well, thanks, man.  I’m really glad you dug it, man, and thanks a lot for taking the time to check out all the different stuff and do this.

Smitty:  Yeah, and I want to come out and catch you at a live gig, you know, and really get the full import of this great music.

CB:  Yeah, well, we gotta keep each other informed and then you can play hoops.  Probably after the gig would be a good idea.  (All laugh.)

Smitty:  Yeah, we’ll probably kill each other!  (All laugh.)

TE:  Yeah, it would get intense.

Smitty:  But it’ll be a fun game and I know it’ll be a fun gig to come out and catch you cats and hopefully catch you cats doing a gig together, you know?  That would be really cool.

TE:  Great, yeah.

CB:  Well, either way it’s gonna be a cool thing.

Smitty:  And that Scotch after the gig sounds good too, you know?

CB:  Yeah.  (All laugh.)

Smitty:  All right, we have been talking with Chris Brubeck, representing the Brubeck Brothers, the new record is called Classified with special guests, the fabulous Imani Winds! And Taylor Eigsti.  His new record is called Let it Come to You and you must do just that because it is a fantastic project, great music, great movements, and you must hear this great record.  Both of these great projects I highly recommend.  Taylor, Chris, thank you so much and all the best to both of you in 2008 and beyond, my friends.

CB:  Well, thank you so very much and the same to you.

TE:  Thanks a lot.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.brubeckmusic.com and www.myspace.com/bbqclassified and www.kochentertainment.com.  www.tayloreigsti.com and www.myspace.com/tayloreigsti and www.concordmusicgroup.com.