From the jazz cellars of Berlin to downtown New Orleans, Pugsley Buzzard is known for his live performances and a unique voice.
Your distinctive voice now sets you apart from other jazz performers, but in the beginning of your career did this make it easier or harder to break into the industry? Well, I played as a sideman mostly when I started on bass and keyboards. I didn't start singing till much later. I only really thought about it when different people I was working with were organising backing vocals and they'd want some chant or back-up and would say “Everyone except you, Pugsley”. I started singing in jazz clubs in Europe and thanks to artists like Louis Armstrong what I did didn't seem too out of place.
Your performances have been described as mindblowing and incredibly soulful. Do you ever feel overwhelmed with pressure to live up to this reputation? I'm not really aware of the reputation. I always give my best. I think of it as service. I serve by entertaining people. When I'm doing that I'm not really aware of myself.
Do you partake in any pre-show rituals in order to create such a contagiously energetic vibe? Not really. Maybe smoke a cigar and have a joke with the band. There's normally too many people around who want my attention to get too meditative.
How did your experiences in the French Quarter of New Orleans influence your album, 2013’s ‘Chasin’ Aces’? Well, I had residencies in a few venues and used musicians I played with there. I wrote a few of the songs there. The atmosphere is just crackling with creativity and music. So it permeated all the recordings, I think. Also I was inspired by odd things like the street hustlers and grifters; their scams and things I'd overhear them say. That was grist for the mill on a few of the tracks, too.
Recording overseas; did that throw up any unique challenges you weren't expecting? Only that the musicians were a little suspicious as we hadn't worked together before. But once things got rolling everyone had a good time and relaxed into it.
What aspects of touring do you enjoy the most? Variety is the spice of life. Meeting new people, going new places; understanding different perspectives and philosophies.
Written by Lexi McKee
Pugsley Buzzard our Dates
Thur Mar 27 - Papa Jack's (Brisbane)Fri Mar 28 - Mandala Organic Arts (Gold Coast)
Sat Mar 29 - Brisbane Jazz Club
Sun March 30 - Currimundi Hotel (Gold Coast)
