Jim Peterik Interview Page 4

Jazz Monthly:  Yes, I have.

JP:  Have you?  Okay.  He’s a Chicago classic.

Jazz Monthly:  Yes.

JP:  Been around forever as a part of the Jazz Philharmonic with Orbert Davis, who’s just, you know, Orbert is amazing.  I use him, actually, on Lisa’s new record.  So lucky to have Steve and he does all the live shows as well.  What a resource.

Jazz Monthly:  Yeah, he’s got some juice, man.  He’s got some juice, yeah.  And Christian Cullen, man.

JP:  Christian is amazing.  So I’m very blessed to have this group of people, very versatile.  And the whole thing, Lifeforce, it’s about life force.  It’s about waking up every morning and using the power that we have within us and it’s not a religious thing, it’s a spiritual thing.  It’s taking everything you’ve got and put it into the positive energy of the day. That’s what I want the music to convey.

Jazz Monthly:  Absolutely.  Well, I’ve gotta say that this is a fantastic record.  It speaks of your talent on all levels and the people that you surround yourself with, there’s a definite synergy here of doing music the way it should be and it all comes out in the wash of this great record, and I just want to say thank you for doing the record and congratulations on it, and I can’t wait for the release, my friend, because I think you’re gonna really create some serious, serious attention with it.

JP:  Well, I really appreciate that comment and I need help even exposing it.  You know, it’s a weird market and it’s almost like back to the basics.  You gotta get out there and pound it.  No one’s gonna do the work for you. You gotta get out there.

Jazz Monthly: True that, my friend.

JP:  You gotta play live and you gotta talk to people like yourself and go to the colleges and spread the word.  No one’s gonna put a million dollars behind you and make you the next superstar.  You gotta do it.

Jazz Monthly:  I think there is—again, it’s all perspective—and of course the business is not what it used to be, but I think it creates a whole new ballpark for how we do it and I think it’s how we approach it.  We can approach it negatively or we can approach it positively and say “Hey, let’s have some fun with it” because now it creates a whole new arena of creativity to not only make the music but now to get it out there.  So to me it’s a fun thing if we can just see it that way because when you’re in the creative mode, it is such a cool thing.

JP:  Right.

Jazz Monthly:  So we can be creative not only making the music, but we can be creative getting it out there, and that is sort of like the culmination of the whole experience, the whole adventure.  Now it’s out there.  What a beautiful time when you release a record, you get it out there, and then you use those creative avenues to get it to people, and then to hear the response.  I think it’s a beautiful thing, man.  I mean, it’s like going back to the old school of doing something.

JP:  You know, I know exactly what you mean.  I wish more people saw it the way you did.  You remember, I mean, we’re old school in a way, but we’re new school, I mean, because it used to be you put a little licorice record out called a 45, right?

Jazz Monthly:  Absolutely.  I have some.

JP:  I do too.  I have a juke box.

Jazz Monthly:  Mm-hmm.

JP:  Anyway, one side was the first side.  Flipside, hey, one piggyback on there.

Jazz Monthly:  Yeah.

JP:  And you didn’t get an album until one of those caught fire.

Jazz Monthly:  Yeah.

JP:  And now you have downloads and they’re like singles.  They’re no different.

Jazz Monthly: Good point!

JP:  One of those catches on and then you do the whole shooting match.  It’s almost back to the basics.

Jazz Monthly:  And I would say, Jim, you’ve had a lot of fun, the band has had a lot of fun making this record, there are some sweet memories that come with this great project.  You can continue to build on those beautiful adventures and memories as you put this record out.  And when we think in those terms, and I’ve heard this before, if you don’t sell one, you had fun making it, but I just don’t think you’re gonna say that.  I think you’re gonna really have a lot of fun getting this record to a lot of people because it’s one that I highly recommend and I think people are gonna really embrace what you’ve done with this great record and what you’ve done in the past as well.

JP:  Well, that means a lot coming from you, but you’re right.  I don’t look at any of the music as something kind of project, demographic thing.  I think of it as, man, I’m having the time of my life.  And if someone loves it, even better.

Jazz Monthly:  Yeah, Jim, every artist on the planet, every artist, has an audience, they really do.

JP:  You’re right, you’re right.

Jazz Monthly:  And the more music you make, the more great music you make, the wider the audience.  It’s that simple.  Yeah.

JP:  You’re right and I’ll take it one step, not further, but sideways.  The more people you touch in a positive way, the more—I hate to use the word “grace” because it sounds like I’m thumping on a bible and I’m not—but the more grace you seem to get.

Jazz Monthly:  I know what you mean.and you’re spot on. 

JP:  That’s what I believe.

Jazz Monthly:  Jim, I think you have a wonderful approach to making music, getting it out there, man.  Keep doing your thing, keep making great music, and I wish you all the best with this fantastic record, and please pass along my congratulations to J.B., to Larry, Lisa, to the band, and to Karen—everybody involved—and old crazy Nick as well.

JP:  I learned a lot from Nick and I’m gonna call him next, dude.

Jazz Monthly:  All right, very cool.  We’ve been talking with the incredible Jim Peterik.  His wonderful new record is called Lifeforce.  Look for it February 3rd in stores and on the Internet.  Jim, thanks so much, my friend, and all the best in 2009 and I will see you in a few weeks, my friend.

JP:  I will see you on board  The Smooth Music Cruise.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.jimpeterikslifeforce.com