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May 30
2008
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The Kristen Strom Quintet will be the next performers in our Jazz Showcase Series, a co-production of S.J. Jazz and City Lights Theater Company. Strom has been a mainstay on the Bay Area music scene for nearly two decades, acclaimed for beautifully rendered melodies, exceptional tonality, and accomplished musicianship.
We spoke with Kristen recently about her musical career, her influences as an artist, and her thoughts on the local jazz scene. Here's what she had to say:
Who are some of your favorite musicians? Who are your influences?
I listened to a lot of Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Coltrane, and Sonny Stitt, as well as Paul Desmond and Chet Baker. Among current saxophonists, I love the playing of tenor player Chris Potter, an alto player from Cuba named Yosvanny Terry, and the soprano player Jane Ira Bloom.
How long have you been performing? How/when/where did you start?
I come from a musical family. My parents met in the choir, and my brothers and I had to sing five carols in harmony at Christmas before we could open our presents! Our family get-togethers usually turn into jam sessions. I started on clarinet in 4th grade, and I have been performing on saxophone since high school. Since then, I've played in a myriad of situations, from small clubs and 30,000 seat stadiums in China, to sharing the stage with Grover Washington Jr. and Gerry Mulligan at the Meadowlands.
What excites you about the Silicon Valley jazz scene?
We have a dedicated jazz community here in the South Bay, both in terms of listeners and musicians. The players in my working band all live in San Jose, and we've been performing here for years. We have all played all over the world, but I feel very lucky to have the musical experiences here -- from the beginning of the San Jose Jazz Festival to the thousands of elementary school kids we've played for through the education programs presented by San Jose Jazz.
What do you hope an audience will get from one of your shows? How do you hope your music will affect them?
In the best jazz performance, the audience is involved in the creation of the music. I hope that they will go on a journey with us and help us develop the melodies, the rhythms, and the interaction which is at the heart of jazz. I hope they will be engaged with me - I feel it is such a gift to be able to share music with others! No matter what has happened before the gig, when I start playing I remember how much I love to play the saxophone. I have a wonderful band. We have played together for many years, and all of that music behind us has created a situation where a kind of magic can happen, and we can play as one.
Where do you find inspiration for your music (not including other jazz musicians)?
I find inspiration in many places: love of family and friends, the wonder of the world, and especially from my students. I recently had a showcase for my saxophone students at a coffeehouse where we ended the evening with 13 saxophones playing "The Blues Up and Down". I was practically jumping "Up and Down"!
Hear clips from "Intentions," her recently released debut CD, and get tickets to her upcoming gig on June 8!
We spoke with Kristen recently about her musical career, her influences as an artist, and her thoughts on the local jazz scene. Here's what she had to say:
Who are some of your favorite musicians? Who are your influences?
I listened to a lot of Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Coltrane, and Sonny Stitt, as well as Paul Desmond and Chet Baker. Among current saxophonists, I love the playing of tenor player Chris Potter, an alto player from Cuba named Yosvanny Terry, and the soprano player Jane Ira Bloom.
How long have you been performing? How/when/where did you start?
I come from a musical family. My parents met in the choir, and my brothers and I had to sing five carols in harmony at Christmas before we could open our presents! Our family get-togethers usually turn into jam sessions. I started on clarinet in 4th grade, and I have been performing on saxophone since high school. Since then, I've played in a myriad of situations, from small clubs and 30,000 seat stadiums in China, to sharing the stage with Grover Washington Jr. and Gerry Mulligan at the Meadowlands.
What excites you about the Silicon Valley jazz scene?
We have a dedicated jazz community here in the South Bay, both in terms of listeners and musicians. The players in my working band all live in San Jose, and we've been performing here for years. We have all played all over the world, but I feel very lucky to have the musical experiences here -- from the beginning of the San Jose Jazz Festival to the thousands of elementary school kids we've played for through the education programs presented by San Jose Jazz.
What do you hope an audience will get from one of your shows? How do you hope your music will affect them?
In the best jazz performance, the audience is involved in the creation of the music. I hope that they will go on a journey with us and help us develop the melodies, the rhythms, and the interaction which is at the heart of jazz. I hope they will be engaged with me - I feel it is such a gift to be able to share music with others! No matter what has happened before the gig, when I start playing I remember how much I love to play the saxophone. I have a wonderful band. We have played together for many years, and all of that music behind us has created a situation where a kind of magic can happen, and we can play as one.
Where do you find inspiration for your music (not including other jazz musicians)?
I find inspiration in many places: love of family and friends, the wonder of the world, and especially from my students. I recently had a showcase for my saxophone students at a coffeehouse where we ended the evening with 13 saxophones playing "The Blues Up and Down". I was practically jumping "Up and Down"!
Hear clips from "Intentions," her recently released debut CD, and get tickets to her upcoming gig on June 8!
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