One of my favorite musical collaborations this past year was the improvisational jazz and fusion efforts with the inimitable Charlie Aesque and the venerable John Grayson. I've always harbored a fervent desire to work with jazz maestros, creating sonic moments that oscillate between the familiar and the delightfully unpredictable.
After years of gorging on piano influences as diverse as Elton John, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Rubén González, and Herbie Hancock, this experience has been nothing short of transformative. Tossing this ambrosia of sounds into my style has been a dream come true. More importantly, the collaboration with these two virtuosos has elevated the experience.
Charlie is a true artisan on the bass, his years of traversing the road with some of the finest R&B bands seasoning his play with rich, soulful undertones. This is the perfect complement to the impeccable John Grayson. A US Army vet who honed his craft with the Army big band, John’s unwavering commitment to meter and his innate jazz sensitivities create an exquisite synergy with Charlie's rhythms.
Our inaugural venture was performing in the elegant foyer of the MeadowView Convention Center before the illustrious Kingsport Chamber Dinner in 2023. This event was such a hit that we were invited back earlier this year. There's a particular charm in playing double-top shelf scotch and the Yamaha Grand in a tuxedo, adding a touch of sophistication to the ambiance.
This year, our talents were summoned to a convention where the promoter requested a video sample of our work. One crisp February evening, John, Charlie, and I, along with our audio engineer Jacob, convened at Vole Lato record video and audio of a few pieces we were experimenting with at the time.
I particularly revel in how fluidly both John and Charlie navigate the music, despite my sometimes obtuse interpretations of these songs. This collaboration has been an immensely enjoyable journey, and I fervently hope for more opportunities in the future to create extraordinary music together.
