Najee Interview Page 4

Smitty:  And once again “Big Dog” is right there.  (Both laugh.)

Najee:  Uh-huh.

Smitty:  That’s a beautiful song, man.

Najee:  Oh, thank you.

Smitty:  Speaking of audience interaction and that kind of thing, that’s a song that the entire audience can get up and just dance their heart away with.

Najee:  Yeah, to me that’s like a classic Smooth Jazz track that Smooth Jazz radio might listen to, you know?

Smitty:  Yeah, with the alto sax.

Najee:  Right, with the alto, and Ron is a great guitar player.  As a matter of fact, he started his career playing in my band. My first album, Najee’s Theme, when I went out and did my first tour, my first band I put together, Ron Lawrence and Alex Bugnon were both the musicians in my band along with Poogie Bell on drums and Artie Reynolds on bass.

Smitty:  And look at those cats now.

Najee:  And look at them now.  Isn’t that something?  That’s nice.

Smitty:  They’re doing their thing, you know?

Najee:  Oh yes.

Smitty:  So now you used every instrument you own on this record, which is beautiful.

Najee:  Oh, thank you.

Smitty:  Do you have a favorite?  The soprano?  The alto?  The flute?  What’s your favorite?

Najee:  No, I can’t say I do, man.  I love playing all of them.  I mean, I really do.  It really depends on the song. I’m grateful that I—I think one of the greatest things that I got from Jazzmobile with Frank Foster and Jimmy Heath and Frank Wes is they conditioned us to become woodwind players or multi-instrumentalists as opposed to just saying “I’m just a saxophone player.” Because back then you still had the Broadway world with live musicians playing in the pits and commercials, if you got called for that, those guys would always be multi-instrumentalists.  They’d come with clarinet, bassoons, the whole bit. Of course, that’s changed now, but because I come from that school of thinking, I never saw myself as just being a tenor player or an alto player or a soprano player or a flute player.  I always thought that I enjoyed the idea of being a multi-instrumentalist and just trying to play all of them proficiently.

Smitty:  That’s very cool.

Najee:  Yeah.

Smitty:  And it goes back to being prepared and being ready and versatile, you know?

Najee:  Oh, yes, yes.

Smitty:  Absolutely.

Najee:  Well, it’s worked to my benefit for sure.

Smitty:  Yes indeed, my brotha.  I tell ya, this is a great record.  I love the whole black and white theme of the album liner notes.  It’s pretty cool.

Najee:  Oh, thank you.

Smitty:  And it’s got a very nice eclectic mix of photos and you doing your thing.

Najee:  Uh-huh.

Smitty:  And it very well complements the music, you know?

Najee:  Well, thank you.  You know, I can’t take credit for that.  That’s actually Kim Fields.  Are you familiar with Kim the actress?

Smitty:  No it’s not her.

Najee:  Yeah, yeah.

Smitty:  Oh, is that who that is?  You know, I was gonna ask you and I said “Nah, it can’t be.”

Najee:  Yeah, it’s the same Kim Fields.  She’s actually done three of my album covers. Yeah, the first album she did for me was Embrace in 2003 and then she did My Point of View in ’05 and then this one.  I mean, she’s just got an eye for that stuff, you know?  Me?  I had to trust her on that, honestly, because I’d never done a black and white photo shoot, so I just had to trust her, so I guess she was right. (Laughs.)

Smitty:  Yes, she was, man.  Well, we must give her some serious props.

Najee:  Oh yeah, oh yes.

Smitty:  Because it’s beautifully done.  Well, see, every now and then I learn something too.  (Both laugh.)

Najee:  Oh, bless you.  That’s great.

Smitty:  Yeah, it keeps me humble.  Wow, well, Najee, I can’t say enough about this great record, man, and what you’ve done with it, and all of your past projects as well.  I mean, you have been one of the most consistent, elevated performers in the business and I have to put the title of entertainer on you because that is who you are.

Najee:  Oh yeah, well, I like to think of myself as a multi-instrumentalist but, yeah, I mean, to me, you shouldn’t come to a show and not be entertained.

Smitty:  Absolutely, my friend.

Najee:  That’s probably worse than coming to a show and falling asleep.  (Both laugh.)

Smitty:  I don’t think that’s gonna happen at one of your shows.

Najee:  Well, I hope not.

Smitty:  There’s too much happening at your shows for that to happen.

Najee:  Oh, well, thank you.

Smitty:  Well, now the record comes out--?

Najee:  Yes, on the 14th.

Smitty:  14th of August.  Nice. And tell me about your Web site.  I know you’ve got a great Web site.

Najee:  Well, yeah, we’re actually in the process of rebuilding it now.  Right now the old one is still there, but in the meantime we’ve been posting concert dates and stuff at www.myspace.com/najeeonline.
Smitty:  Yeah.

Najee:  Yeah, so we’ve been doing that and that’s been good because I get direct communication with everybody.  They leave their comments and pictures and stuff.  And the new Web site is gonna be www.najeeonline.com.

Smitty:  Right.  All right, my friend. Najee, congratulations on this fantastic new record, Rising Sun. It’s just a great mix of music and I can say that every song on here deserves not just one listen, but this is sort of a repeat album. And I must say to you, man, just keep doing what you do, keep making great music, and keep your flava strong, my brotha, and all the best in 2007 and beyond

Najee:  Thank you so much, Smitty. Same to you, my friend, I really appreciate it.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.najeeonline.com and www.headsup.com and www.myspace.com/najeeonline.