‘#5xTypical’ is a series of music based interviews with musicians by Karen van Gilst. What do musicians listen to? While cleaning, during sexy time or when working out? Do they have specific songs for specific moments? Or do they listen to music to influence their emotions?
"Yeah, so… I really hate doing my taxes. Surprise! The first few years I tried to make it bearable by putting this song on repeat. Until I got really sick of it. Seriously worth trying." - Maaike den Dunnen (Singer)
Although my plan was to study abroad for only half a year, I ended up studying in Austria for two and a half. It's a great conservatory and had fantastic teachers from New York at the time. No, it doesn’t sound sexy to study in Austria. Jazz isn’t big over there. But when you look at the quality of teachers... the possibilities were endless. I could never have afforded to take lessens from those teachers when I would have studied in New York.
One of the teachers taught me composition and gave me this record to listen to. I was amazed by it. And the best thing I ever heard until then. Maybe it still is. I can listen to it endlessly without it becoming boring. It’s written really well. And look at the selection of musicians!
Because I listened to this song a lot when I traveled in Austria, it ensured an association with the excitement of experiencing new things. And it mainly reminds me of my time there.
I saw Jay Clayton perform twice and met her once when I attended one of her workshops in Austria. Both times I was really impressed. I was fascinated during her concert. I watched and listened closely and was on the edge of my seat! That’s something I don’t experience very often. Maybe 5% of the time. But when she sings a ballad, I can feel tears running down my face. She’s really authentic, close to herself and her emotions. She doesn’t have tricks.
She had a great influence on the free jazz scene in New York. To be honest, that’s not something I like to listen to. But she got my attention. She inspires me. Although this record is easier to listen to, less free jazz than the rest of them. Her other records are too heavy for me. Too strange. Too ‘avant garde’ like. But at this record she toned it down. Truly beautiful.
The thing I love about Norma Winston are her lyrics. Most standards are kind of boring to me, not inspirational. But she writes with emotion and loads of metaphors. Something I strive to accomplish myself. So when I heard her singing for the first time I felt recognition in a way. Her lyrics are more complex, poetic. You can interpret it in different ways.
I especially listen to her when I feel a little bit down. To enable my self to move on. Get over my funk. This beautiful music is comforting to me.
Steve isn’t in any of the #5xtypical lists? Wow! That surprises me! Let me correct it by adding a song of his to my list. If only if I knew which one…. he wrote so much great stuff! Back in the Grooveshark day I made whole playlists of Steve Wonder. I played it during cooking. I just added the songs that where most listened to because I liked it all.
You know what? Can I add a whole record? Because ‘Hotter than july’ includes most of my favorites.Now I think of it. It surprises me how I developed my musical taste. My parents didn’t listen to this kind of music at all. Never mind jazz. I only came into contact with Steve Wonder when I was in a band at the age of 20. I think it was via my bass player. But all the band members where fan of either Steve Wonder and/or Steely Dan.
I think it wasn’t until the conservatory that I started developing an intrest in jazz. It just wasn’t on the radio you know? And I always played classical cello. I used it to audition too. I wanted to become a music teacher. But when I got improvisation lessons I started listening to jazz records. Classes music accompaniment followed and I had to perform. Singing. That’s when it hit me; this is what I want to do! Singing. Jazz. I started studying really hard to change studies. At first I took jazz vocal and piano classes. I dropped piano not much later to focus soley on singing.
I think most of you will be surprised seeing this one on my list. Because it’s completely instrumental. It’s also not very easy to listen to. It’s more about rhythm. So is the next song.
I added them both because I can’t choose. These drummers are both leaders of a band and write their own music. That’s partly why I love them. But, both drummers are different though. I heard Arie Hoening in Smalls, a New York jazzbar. To see and listen to someone this great in that setting, is amazing. His music is not emotional. I can’t loose myself in his music. But it gives me a lot of energy because of al the different rithms. The music of Brian Blade is more sensitive. His compositions are more relaxed. But again, both really nice.
Yeah, so… I really hate doing my taxes. Surprise! The first few years I tried to make it bearable by putting this song on repeat. Until I got really sick of it, it helpt magnificently. Give it a try.
I think the following anecdote tells us a lot about one of Hollands most prominent jazz vocalists Maaike den Dunnen:
"I think it wasn’t until the conservatory that I started developing an intrest in jazz. It wasn't in the charts, you know? And I always played classical cello. I used it to audition too. I wanted to become a music teacher. But when I got improvisation lessons I started listening to jazz records. Classes in piano accompaniment followed and I had to perform. Singing. That’s when it hit me; this is what I want to do! Singing. Jazz. I started studying really hard to change studies. At first I took jazz vocal and piano classes. I dropped piano not much later to focus soley on singing."