Haim Cotton - Project Grand Slam Interview Page 4

Jazz Monthly:  Oh, you’re so welcome.  Now, the other song—and I could easily talk about every one of these songs because they’re all so good.

HC:  Thank you so much.

Jazz Monthly:  Yes, but the great Robert Miller composed song, “Heat.”

HC:  Oh my Gosh.  Yeah, he actually recorded it on Prisoners of Love also.

Jazz Monthly:  Yes. Talk about that song because for some listeners they’re gonna reminisce, but for some it will be their first introduction to this song.  But talk a little bit about that song and what it does for you when you play this song.

HC:  It’s funny because we played it so differently from Prisoners of Love.  I think we really just—we felt like we’re gonna rip the lid off of this one.  Like if it was worth doing it, then it was worth doing it in a different way.  And if you listen to the original version, it’s jazzier, it’s more delicate, it’s more careful, and this one just, I don’t know, it seems like almost like fire was ripping through us and we went from beginning to end, and I think that’s the one track when we did that Frank was like “Yes, you don’t need to go in and do it again.”  (Both laugh.)

Jazz Monthly:  Another one of those great first takes.

HC:  I think that’s what happened.  I think it has to do with maturity because a lot of time passed since the first time we played it and we were already familiar with it, at least myself and Robert, and Ron brought all this amazing energy to it, and even though Gilad just plays the melody, it’s such a simple melody but the way he presents it is so cool.  That’s what I thought.

Jazz Monthly:  But this record, this whole project, is one that you could play in so many different settings, anything from just sitting around with friends to a major event, and that’s what I love about the vibe, that it has such a great mix that so many people would just be so captivated by it just listening in any setting.  It could be a romantic setting, it could be a working setting, and it all fits so well that it’s just unbelievable.

HC:  Oh, thank you so much.  That’s the hope of a real musician is that of course it’s your livelihood and everything, but more than anything you hope that what you’re doing will really touch people in a special way, and so that means a lot to me.

Jazz Monthly:  Yes, and you mentioned Jan earlier.  Please pass along my congratulations to her and thanks for such a great design of the record, the liner notes, the cover art is just amazing.  Tell her I love that lipstick approach.  (Both laugh.)

HC:  Definitely her concept, definitely.

Jazz Monthly: Very, very cool.  So now how can people get the record?

HC:  Well, the record itself, the CD itself, is available on CD Baby.  We’re working on getting it to other retailers.  It’s not an easy process when you’re an independent.  But it is available on iTunes—I know it’s a favorite site for people to download music—Amazon.com., and that’s the major places where you can get it online.  I believe there are a few more, but those are the major ones, Amazon and I think maybe Rhapsody and Napster, but mainly iTunes and Amazon, and at this point the CD itself is available on CD Baby.

Jazz Monthly:  Very cool.  Well, I want to congratulate everyone involved with this project, from yourself, Robert, the entire band, Jan and Frank, everyone, because it was just a monumental effort by a lot of people and this is not something that just happens by chance.

HC:  No.

Jazz Monthly:  There’s a lot of effort and a lot of heart and commitment that goes into making something this beautiful, and my congratulations to each and every one of you and I wish you the best with it.

HC:  Thank you so much.  It was such a pleasure talking to you and to hear your perspective on what we’ve done.  It means a lot to me.

Smitty:  You’re so welcome.  And you can check out this record and I know you will not be sorry when you hear the great music on this record.  We’ve been talking with Haim Cotton from the great band Project Grand Slam.  Their great new record is called Play and you must hear it because it is a fantastic collection of music.  Haim, once again, thank you so much.  All my best to everyone in connection with this record and yourself in 2009 and beyond, my friend.

HC:  Thank you, Smitty.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.projectgrandslam.com and www.myspace.com/projectgrandslam