Interview with Jim McNeely

[Mark Stryker]

http://ronanguil.blogspot.com/2009/09/jim-mcneely-on-composition-interview.html

Stumbled upon this long, fascinating interview with Jim McNeely speaking about composition and creative process. The interviewer is Ron Guilfoyle, who according to his blog profile is a jazz bassist, composer and teacher living in Dublin, Ireland. I am not familiar with him but he asks some very good questions of a composer I think is always intriguing and frequently brilliant. Underrated pianist, too.

Addendum: Upon reflection, it was Guilfoyle who also penned a Defense of Jazz Education essay in the last year or two that I found insightful.

Edited January 6, 2010 by Mark Stryker

[fasstrack]

Good piece. He's got a lot to say similar to Brookmeyer's philosophy re 'the piece is the thing' and don't put solos in there just because---purpose, etc.

McNeeley's tunes (as opposed to big band writing) are not easy to play, BTW, they take a few run-throughs. But they are thoughtful and worth learning. I liked 'On the Up and Up' on Pure Getz. And Phil Woods Quintet did a whole recording of his things, good record.

I cracked up when I read he had that Russell Garcia arranging book as a kid. I had it, too, and liked it.