The real, elemental art of jazz is basically in two things: flourish and improvisation. It is a form that requires a profound technical background that, ultimately, is not apparent to the listener. Part of such expertise is in making music that sounds easy. A painless analogy is the NBA: those guys drop 25-footers like layups, barely jumping and with little visible effort or care. That’s the line over which a good jazz player can step to become a great one.
Louisville’s marriage with jazz has been long and deeply rewarding. The Seelbach is a historical staple, and the Jazz Factory is becoming one. Perhaps the most visible manifestation is in U of L’s jazz program, from which the band Paradigm sprouts. A five-piece that rambles along unconventional jazz highways in a truck full of rock, funk, blues and soul, the band flaunts its extreme talent and training with high energy and religious-grade musical zealotry on its self-titled album, for which there’s a release party this weekend. The level of ability at which each member plays here borders the obscene.
Nine songs offer nine basic flavors, starting with opener “My Hands Wave …,” a modern piece with Evan Pouchak’s tight drumming parceled into an immutable groove. “Rhythm Police” is a funky ass-shaker where sax man John Harden shows he’s got a voice with a thousand years behind it. Mid-album the band opens the proceedings to guitarist Jonathan Epley’s fingering tap-dances, while bassist Will Roberts and keys maestro Brian Healey provide jazz-cool palettes of Groove. I wouldn’t say jamband, but extended dancing and hairy armpits won’t be denied.
LEO: If you were Mayor, what would you do to help promote people like you in this city?
Jonathan Epley: I would put together a huge music festival on the waterfront with great regional acts opening for national acts.
Brian Healey: A few years back, the governor of Maine organized a program where every middle school student was given a laptop computer. I might try to do something similar, except with musical instruments instead of computers.
Will Roberts: Lower the drinking age.
LEO: Which Louisville musician needs to get more attention?
John Harden: Dave Clark.
JE: I may be a little biased, but there are tons of great jazz players that live in this city, lots of them on the faculty at U of L and Bellarmine, such as Craig Wagner and Todd Hildreth.
WR: Liberation Prophecy.
Evan Pouchack: In terms of a group, the Liberation Prophecy needs to be heard by more people. It’s definitely one of the more forward-thinking bands in town, and every member can play. In terms of a single person, Boogie Morton is probably the city’s best-kept secret. He swings like a wrecking ball.
BH: You mean besides us? I’ll say Liberation Prophecy, too.
LEO: If music were food, what kind would yours be?
JH: My music would be greens and fried chicken because it is soulful.
JE: Probably pizza, because I like a little bit of everything on it.
BH: I’d say sushi, because it’s raw, because different ingredients and styles provide endless possibilities of taste, and mostly because it’s delicious.
EP: It would definitely be spicy. Maybe a spicy piece of chicken. Maybe a loud, spicy piece of chicken. With a guitar solo. Actually, could you rephrase the question?
WR: A dietary supplement.
LEO: Tell me about one of your favorite works of art aside from your medium.
JE: I’m an avid reader. My favorite books run from “The Bible” to “Slaughterhouse Five.”
BH: I really dig on screenwriter/director David Lynch. I recently watched “Twin Peaks” on DVD, and I gotta say it’s the most intriguing and creative television show ever made.
JH: The movie “The Four Brothers” is a work of art that I loved watching.
EP: Right now, I really like Bob Hicok’s “Animal Soul.” It’s a fun read, and he is one of my favorite contemporary poets.
LEO: What do you want to say that you know you shouldn’t?
EP: I, being one among many people who think the same but are afraid to admit it in public, think that Coldplay is a great band. If this makes me a wimp, then I’m a wimp.
JH: Damn!!! She’s got a big ass!!
BH: Impeach Bush! That probably won’t win me many friends in a red state like Kentucky.
JE: It is unfortunate that many musicians spend more time trying to get well known and popular than they do writing good songs and practicing their instruments.
This article appears in March 14, 2006.