Multi reedist/ beatmaker and DownBeat Critic’s Poll winner Marcus Strickland has steadily proven to be an essential part of the jazz continuum since he stepped on the scene in the early 2000s.
The US musician's genre-bending propensity has produced fascinating and unconventional collaborations. Between the members of his eclectic ensemble, Twi-Life, there is a wealth of experience in bands ranging from the Soultronics to The Roots, Talib Kweli, Lady Gaga, Kanye West and countless others.
You're headed to Australia with Twi-Life… do you enjoy life on the road?
[Marcus] Life on the road can be quite volatile, so at times I love it and other times not so much. However, it is quite necessary for what I do so I have become quite flexible, a nomad of some sorts.
'Nihil Novi' is your Blue Note/ Revive Music debut release for Twi-Life…. the title is Latin for "nothing new", and the album explores humans relationship with time. How did the past influence this record?
Well, sometimes I feel people are to quick to call something new. For example, hip hop combined with jazz is not new; it's never been separate in my opinion, check hip hop pioneers such as Guru out, the groove on 'Poinciana' by the Ahmad Jamal Trio, or Ron Carter's bass solo on 'Impressions' from McCoy Tyner's record 'Trident' followed by 'The Choice Is Yours' by Black Sheep.
So the people that influence me have always been doing that, and I can't remember a record of mine that did not have any element of hip hop or any other music that surrounded me. And with this in mind I decided to not give a f*** about genres anymore and create something I dig that's for the people, rather than an acute demographic. I've always dug beats and for a while have been making them, and it's never been separate from the music I release to the public. So the only thing new about it is probably my perspective and execution.
To have a release on the Blue Note imprint. That must be a special milestone?
Of course, I am proud to be part of a label that has continuously provided a huge part to the soundtrack of my life. It's a true blessing and I would do it a disservice if I did not pursue each new endeavour of mine with them fearlessly: it's been the tradition of my ancestors who recorded for Blue Note.
On your website there is a quote from you: “A musician does not grow from boxing themselves into a vacuum.” Can you expand on that?
Sure. Music is but a means of communication, so I find it hard to commune without being exposed and inspired by what surrounds us. So rather than policing myself with paradigms or perceived lanes, I think it's best to simply do what rings true in my heart as an individual, but most importantly in relationship to the world surrounding me: it's a social affair.
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Incorporating beats with the compositions… how does that energise the music?
For me beats are the most concise pieces of music. They provoke movement, catchy melodies and moods, all within a very short piece of music that is repeated over and over yet never gets boring if done right. Beats to me are wombs for songs; all the necessary nutrients have been provided for it to grow big and healthy or perhaps stubbornly stay a zygote for a while. lol
The fusion of jazz with hip hop philosophies. Is that an organic aspect of your music?
Ahh, I feel I unknowingly answered that earlier but yes indeed. I had no choice, the two were never separate to begin with and stem from the same source: the blues. It's all Black American music, and organic as can be.
The Blue Note video for Nihil Novi… you mention how “jazz is based on language”. How intuitive is your playing?
It's all intuitive at this point. The work I do in the practice room is all towards being flexible enough to react to what is around me just like we do when communicating through English, and occasionally poorly in other languages. Ha.
When you're the studio, do you have a routine you follow?
Nah, I feel the creative process should presents itself only if I am open to it. I can't be open to it if I am dependent on one routine. Every day is an adventure that way. The process may repeat occasionally but why make it rigid?
In the production chair for this album was Meshell Ndegeocello, who also contributed on bass. Working alongside her must've been a thrill?
Of course, she is a true heroine of mine and an incredible master of the studio as well. I am very glad she agreed to do this with me, so cool of her.
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Bob Power also played a major role with the album, engineering; what did he bring to the project?
What better person to capture this type of recording than with the person who captured albums like 'Brown Sugar', 'The Shining', 'Phrenology', 'Fantastic vol 2 & 2.10', 'The Low End Theory', and on and on.
The musicians who feature on this record, and who you'll be touring with. It must be a pleasure/ blessing to be surrounded by them?
Definitely. We are all fam' someway, somehow and there's a lot of love between us and for the music. They all brought it.
How much joy do you draw from playing with other musicians?
It's the greatest high to work together; like an incredible puzzle.
You'll be playing as part of the Brisbane International Jazz Festival. Have you been to Brisbane previously?
Nope, only Melbourne and Sydney. I can't wait!
New York. It's the epicentre of the jazz universe for many. Why is the city such a drawcard for the jazz fraternity?
Well, I believe it's less and less that way because technology brings us together more than ever before. But I personally love this city and it's energy; not sure if it is for me forever, but so far so good. The only way to shine is having a tonne of personality in your playing; everybody here can deal but there's only one of each of us.
What makes you smile about New York?
The diverse people and countless situations that seem so characteristic about the place. It's quite laughable how we talk about whether there is a washer and dryer in one's tiny apartment as opposed to people who talk about acres of land.
On the flip, New Orleans is so central to the jazz story. What does the Big Easy mean to you?
Forever grateful to that port for welcoming the birth of an incredible stew of cultures. The food is off the chain as well, and you best believe that has everything to do with the music.
Marcus Strickland Tour Dates
Wed 8 Jun - Bennetts Lane (Melbourne)Thu 9 Jun - BIJF @ Queensland Multicultural Centre (Brisbane)
Fri 10 Jun - Queen Street Mall (Brisbane)
Sat 11 Jun - Bennetts Lane (Melbourne)
Sun 12 Jun - Bennetts Lane (Melbourne)
