"Take Five" Q&A with J3P0!

Q1: What's the best music gear or app purchase you've made recently? 

I recently purchased a Minimoog Model D reissue. Holy smokes does that thing sound good! It’s like playing an acoustic instrument, or a Hammond B-3. I love creating the classic sounds on it that it’s known for, but it’s also fun to just tweak away and create new sounds. It’s a great instrument for both live and in the studio. It has a hefty price tag, but if you’re really into synths, it’s totally worth it. The best app I’ve purchased recently is the Sonic Project’s OP-X Pro II. FANTASTIC Oberheim emulation. I have in my possession a Matrix 12 and this VST definitely clocks in as the most faithful emulation, at least to my ears.

Q2: What's your funniest or worst gig story? 

See #MyWorstGig storyhere!

Q3: What's one concert you've attended that has had a lasting impact on your life? 

I remember hearing Joshua Redman trio with Sam Yahael and Greg Hutchinson back in 2003 when I was in High School. They played at this SF Jazz fundraiser thing that as high school students, we played the opening set (or something like that). They played only three tunes. But those were some of the best three live tunes I’d ever heard. The power of the organ trio with those phenomenal musicians blew me away. I remember me and all my friends were sent to another planet from that experience. This was around the release time of Redman’s classic "Elastic".

Q4: What's a specific skill/exercise/technique that has taken your singing to the next level?

It’s a harmonic exercise that I do a lot where you take one melody note and harmonize it with every single possible bass note, descending chromatically. (See youtube video attached). It really stretches you to come up with cool voicings and different ways to approach one melody note. I’d say if you’re into “reharming,” this is the best exercise you use to practice getting better at it.
 
Click here --> Reharm Exercise

Q5: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self entering the music scene?

Do what you love and love what you do. It sounds simple, but, with the pressures of music school and being influenced by what the “ivory towers” and jazz establishments think you should do, it can make you rather narrow-minded. I definitely fell into that trap in college and for a few years post-college. There’s a lot of awesome music in the world, and it takes on various shapes, forms, sizes and colors. Be open to anything, and learn to embrace what resonates with you.
It WILL present itself to you if you are open.