I first heard Brian play live around 2005 with Rodney Jones at a number of gigs at Smoke, here in NYC. I thought then that I'd love to record with him some time. Brian is an amazing musician, Grammy nominated, he's played and performed with Joni Mitchell, Lou Donaldson, The Max Weinberg 7, Chaka Khan, Micheal Buble, and countless others. His interpretation of the music was dead on, and he never needed a second take. His records are filled with great playing and writing. His playing grooves, it's creative, exciting and soulful. We also recorded the next album in the series of 6 together, tracked in June.
I met McClenty on a gig at the 55 bar we were playing in 2007. I recorded the sessions that became "Incarnate" with him a short time later. I've seen McClenty play a number of times with Ed Cherry, and he has toured with Buster Williams, Javon Jackson, Wycliffe Gordon, and Eric Reed to name a few. McClenty's playing was thunder in the room. He is at times subtle in his approach and phrasing and at times, fire. Before each take, I played him a few bars of rhythm guitar to give the feel of the songs and what he played in response was always right on.
For me, this record begins to demonstrate what I'm finding as my place in the lineage of jazz. My writing is influenced endlessly by John Coltrane, Rodney Jones, Doug Carn, Grant Green, McCoy Tyner and Nathan Page. I also draw on my early love of the guitar in Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
I've understood recently that often when I play I am playing for one of a few reasons. One is the love of the history of the music, it's language as played and developed by certain players, one to the next.
A bit difficult to describe, the idea of "spirit" is often why I am playing. I think of playing music for spirit and for people. For me, music has been a sacred gift. I've sought continuously to be a conduit for meaning, love, and purpose like musicians before have been for me.
Another source of love and inspiration is Dear Ones. Loved ones, family, teachers, friends, those I learn the most from. One of the lessons of the past year has been that it's in the humble moments with Dear Ones, touched by love that I find life's meaning.
These aren't in a particular order, but lastly I play for myself, or for expression. I tend to think that the gift of music is the enjoyment of music and I love what I play. I feel honored to have spent time with some of my heroes, and seek to add my own thoughts and perspective to an art that I respect deeply.
