Oli Silk Interview Page 4

Smitty:  Yep.

OS:  I don’t know what he’s like as a person, but maybe he’s really something in person too because you can just hear that he hasn’t let anything go.

Smitty:  Yeah.

OS:  It just….it flows so beautifully and it sounds great….and he does his own production too. And I’m just in awe of him.  I think that’s where I’d like to be.

Smitty:  Yep, he’s one of my favorite keyboard players.

OS:  Definitely.

Smitty:  And a great guy too. So, now, the record comes out when?

OS:  The record comes out on the 8th of August.

Smitty:  8th of August.  So this is a great time for you. That’s coming up very soon. And there’s gotta be a lot of excitement around this record because you’ve got some great tracks and radio’s already feelin’ it.

OS:  They are. To be honest with you, Smitty, it’s far beyond my expectations even now and when I talk to Les and tell him that, he sort of laughs and says, “This is just the beginning,” because he’s been there and he’s done that with Paul (Hardcastle). He’s been doing it with the Jazzmasters for so long. This week I might be one off the chart. The single’s just one off the R&R Top 30. Now, that is just….that’s just crazy.

Smitty:  (Laughs) Well, that’s a tribute to your success and your creative vibe.

OS:  Well, thank you. That’s very kind of you to say that. Thank you.

Smitty:  You’re welcome, and give me your Web site because I want people to know about your Web site and go on your Web site and check out some of the other things that you’ve done and what’s coming up.

OS:  Sure thing, yeah. Okay, it’s www.olisilk.com.

Smitty:  Very cool. Talk about a tour. Are you putting together a tour now?

OS:  Well, as we stand now, I’m gonna be over in October again. I’m gonna be playing a show on the 8th of October, which is a Sunday, but it’s not actually my show.  It’s Jaared’s show and I’m gonna be playing in Jaared’s band.

Smitty:  Cool.

OS:  So that should be really cool.  I’m really looking forward to that, and not having played with him live before, I think that would just really be a learning experience for me again, and it will give me a chance to get on the stage before my following gig, which is seven days later on the 15th. And they’re both at Catalina.

Smitty:  Excellent, man. So the fans in the U.S. can get to see you at Catalina.

OS:  Yeah. I’m really looking forward to it and it’s gonna be my first solo gig, so it’s gonna be quite a momentous occasion.

Smitty:  Yeah, absolutely. Well, Oli, I must congratulate you on this great new project.

OS:  Thank you.

Smitty:  It’s coming out in August on the 7th and it’s called So Many Ways, and this is a very striking vibe and I highly recommend this CD, and once again all the best with this great new project and look forward to seeing you in the U.S. on tour in October.

OS:  Thank you.

Smitty:  And hopefully we’ll get to hook up and do a little hang, huh?

OS:  Oh, definitely.  I would absolutely love to. It’s been an absolute pleasure talking with you and it’s just great to share musical viewpoints and talk about Smooth Jazz and things. It’s really great, so thanks a lot.

Smitty:  You are so welcome. And please come back and let’s talk again, you’re always welcome at JazzMonthly.com.

OS:  Oh, thank you, I’d love to, yeah.  I can keep you updated on what’s going on and I really hope that we can meet face to face as soon as I come over.

Smitty:  Exactly, same here, and I look for some great things with this new record, and congratulations to everyone at Trippin ‘n’ Rhythm, Les and Jeff Lunt.

OS:  Yes, that’s right, yeah.

Smitty:  Yeah, and he’s holding down the fort in the U.S. and he does a great job.

OS:  He is, yeah, he’s doing a great job as well.

Smitty:  All right, we have been talking with the fantastic Mr. Oli Silk.  He’s about to release a wonderful new project. It’s called So Many Ways.  There are some great grooves here, some slick melodies, and some fantastic musicians of support.  I highly recommend this record and look for this one to receive some serious airplay and I think you’re gonna see a lot of this young man in the future. Oli, thanks again and best of everything in 2006 and beyond, my friend.

OS:  Thank you very much, Smitty.  It’s been an absolute pleasure talking with you.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.olisilk.com or www.trippinrecords.com