Reflect + Renew with Slow Jazz

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash

The new year is a wonderful time to slow down, reflect and renew after the business of the holiday season. Compared to December, January is subdued and quiet, like the calm after the storm of the social season. Lean into that calm with this playlist of slow jazz. Maybe you can listen to it while you journal and reflect on 2025. Or maybe you can play it in the background while you do some nice restorative and restful stretches. Either way, these curated songs are meant to help you relax and ease into the new year.

Harry Allen Trio – Each and Every Yesterday

Let the slow buttery saxophone of Harry Allen help your body and muscles unwind. From Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3, this easeful song can provide an excellent backdrop for reflection. Think about each and every yesterday . . . what have you accomplished in 2025 that makes you proud? Which areas could still use some growth?

Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner and Martin Wind – Looking Back

Brew yourself a nice warm mug of tea or coffee and watch the steam curl up from the glass while you listen to this lovely song. From Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament, this piece gives you an opportunity to look back. Looking back is an important part of life because without it we wouldn’t gain any insight into our patterns and behaviors.

John Di Martino, Harry Allen & others – Shake Down the Stars

When setting goals and manifesting for the future it’s okay to shoot for the stars. The famous saying goes, “shoot for the moon because even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.” So why not aim high for 2026? Be bold in your resolutions! Listen to this playful tune, from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible while you craft a dream board for 2026.

WJ3 All-Stars – Taking A Chance On Love

Maybe this will be the year that you wear your heart on your sleeve and let yourself take a chance on love. Maybe you’ll let yourself be more open to romantic possibilities. Or if you’re already in a relationship, maybe you and your partner can work on being more spontaneous and whimsical! Either way, let this song, from Night is Alive’s album My Ship, inspire your love life in 2026.

Lorca Hart Trio – Let Me in Your Life

This beautiful ballad, from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration and Gratitude, really captures the raw emotion of loving someone and the strong desire to be a part of that person’s life. Who do you want to be closer with in 2026? Which relationships do you want to cultivate? What kind of friendships are most valuable to you?

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash

The History of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” soundtrack

Did you know that A Charlie Brown Christmas is the second jazz album ever to reach Platinum five times? Over 4 million copies of the album have been purchased, and it has been streamed 1.14 billion times. Yet, surprisingly, in 1965, when the Charlie Brown Christmas TV special aired, executives were sure the music was going to flop!

Television producer Lee Mendelson was looking for music for a documentary about Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. He was driving across the Golden Gate Bridge when he heard a song on the radio by San Francisco jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. Mendelson loved the lilting quality of the music and cold-called Guaraldi. A few weeks later, Guaraldi sent him a demo of a new song called “Linus and Lucy,” which has since become the theme for all of Peanuts.

The documentary about Charles M. Schulz never actually aired, but in 1965, Coca-Cola commissioned a Christmas special and Guaraldi was brought back to expand his jazz score. Mendelson and Guaraldi only had a few weeks to get this special together. They wanted the singing to sound unpolished, like a real group of neighborhood children, so they hired a children’s choir from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to sing and rewarded them with ice cream. The kids weren’t professional singers, so their imperfect, slightly off-key, natural delivery gave the album its nostalgic charm.

When CBS executives finally saw the finished special just days before its premiere, they were less than impressed. They thought the jazz score was too “adult” and “sophisticated” for a kids’ cartoon; the pacing too slow and melancholic; and they disliked the fact that actual children were used instead of professional adult actors mimicking kids. One executive is quoted to have said, “we’ll air it once and that’ll be all.”

Surprise, surprise–when the special aired on December 9, 1965, it was a massive hit! Nearly half of the entire American viewing audience tuned in to watch and critics raved about the soundtrack, which became an instant classic. Those executives surely owed Mendelson and Guaraldi an apology! Now for a few songs from the album, including one from Night is Alive . . .

Christmas Time is Here

This tune was originally meant to be instrumental, but television producer Lee Mendelson thought it needed lyrics. He and Guaraldi only had a few weeks to make the soundtrack though and Mendelson couldn’t find a lyricist on such short notice. So, what did he do? He ended up sitting down by himself and wrote the words in about 15 minutes!

Bill Cunliffe Trio – Linus and Lucy

As previously mentioned, “Linus and Lucy” was composed by Vince Guaraldi and became the signature song of the Peanuts. Naturally, over the years, many new renditions of this famous song have been recorded and Night is Alive is no exception. In our lovely album Christmas in the Dog House, the Bill Cunliffe Trio adds some zest, spunk and swing to the holiday staple. Other songs on the album include “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” To learn more, check out Christmas in the Dog House and our many other Christmas albums in our online shop. They make the perfect Christmas gift for your favorite jazz enthusiast!

Check out the Bill Cunliffe Trio’s album “Christmas in the Dog House” and Night is Alive’s other holiday albums at https://nightisalive.com/product-category/christmas/.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

The Jewish Composers Who Wrote Your Favorite (Secular) Christmas Jazz Standards

Photo by Michelle Kraemer on Unsplash

Did you know that many of our most beloved holiday jazz standards were actually created by Jewish composers? You probably never noticed it, but many of these tunes, such as ‘White Christmas,’ have relatively secular lyrics that capture the spirit of the season, which make them inclusive for people of all religions. So, whether you’re Jewish or Christian, agnostic or atheist, here are some lovely songs that everyone can enjoy this holiday season!

Mel Tormé & Robert Wells – The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

I don’t know about you but when I was a kid this was one of my most favorite holiday songs. My parents had a CD with this song as the very first track, which always filled our car with cheer as we drove through the snowy streets. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire / Jack Frost nipping at your nose / Yuletide carols being sung by the fire . . .

Little did I know that the composer and vocalist Tormé, nicknamed “The Velvet Fog,” was the child of Jewish immigrants from Brest (now Belarus) and grew up singing Jewish songs and celebrating Hanukkah with his parents and younger sister in Chicago. The lyricist Robert Wells was also born to a Jewish family in Raymond, Washington in 1922.

Irving Berlin – White Christmas

Berlin is a well-known Russian-born Jewish composer who received an Academy Award, a Grammy Award as well as a Tony Award. But did you know that his melancholic and nostalgic song “White Christmas” was actually inspired by real life events?

Irving and his wife Elin suffered a terrible loss when their infant son, Irving Berlin Jr. died on Christmas Day in 1928, just weeks after he was born. For years afterwards, the holiday brought sadness to the family, which is believed to be the inspiration behind the wistful tune. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas / Just like the ones I used to know / Where those treetops glisten and children listen / To hear sleigh bells in the snow, the snow.

Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn – Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Once upon a time, composer Jule Styne, who was born to a Jewish family in London, and lyricist Sammy Cahn, who was born to a Jewish family in Manhattan, were hanging out in Hollywood. It was July 1945 and an intense heat wave was scorching the city. Cahn asked Styne to go down to the beach and cool off, but Styne suggested that they write a winter song together instead. And ta-da, the jazz standard that transports listeners into a cozy, snowy scene was born!

Jay Livingston & Ray Evans – Silver Bells

In 1951, Livingston, a composer born to Jewish parents in Pennsylvania, and Evans, a lyricist born to a Jewish family in New York, were tasked with writing a Christmas song for a Paramount Pictures movie. The movie was a comedy called The Lemon Drop Kid and was about a man raising money for a gambling debt by setting up friends as street-corner Santas ringing bells.

At first, Livingston and Evans were enthusiastic, but eventually they were inspired by the sound of a small bell that sat on the desk they shared in their office. It reminded them of the Santa and Salvation Army bell ringers on the NYC streets. Before they knew it they were writing a new Christmas hit, and one of the first to focus on the spirit of the city rather than a small town or countryside. City sidewalks, busy sidewalks / Dressed in holiday style . . .

Felix Bernard – Winter Wonderland This tune’s bright, bouncy melody obscures the fact that its origin story is in fact quite sad. The lyricist, Richard B. Smith, was sitting in a sanitarium receiving treatment for tuberculosis when looked out the window and saw children playing in the snow. This winter wonderland scene reminded him of his childhood in Pennsylvania. So, to mentally transport himself out of the hospital, he penned a poem about a carefree day walking in a winter wonderland. Smith then partnered with his friend Felix Bernard, who was a successful Jewish songwriter and vaudeville pianist from Brooklyn, to create the charming tune we know today.

You can hear some of these tunes and more in Night is Alive’s holiday album collection! Visit https://nightisalive.com/product-category/christmas/ to find the perfect music for your next party, or even just to play while sipping cocoa by the fire.

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Michelle Kraemer on Unsplash

Fall Foliage Jazz Playlist

Photo by Ivan Kuznetsov on Unsplash

Did you know that fall is America’s favorite season? A recent survey shows that 45% of participants named autumn as their favorite. I bet this has something to do with the stunning foliage in many parts of the country. It just brightens your day so much when your commute to work is bathed in hues of orange, red and yellow. And what about the smell of the leaves and the crunch underfoot? There really is something magical about the time of year when the trees shed their outer coats. So, while you’re driving, walking, cycling or just sitting on the front porch enjoying the fall foliage, enjoy our Fall Foliage Jazz Playlist. These songs will have you breathing in and soaking up the enchantment of autumn.

Hudson River Wind – John Di Martino, Joe Magnarelli, Wayne Escoffery & others

The magic of the changing leaves are heightened when a nice crisp gust of river wind blows them off their branches. The leaves flutter, like butterflies, down onto our sidewalks and windshields, creating a collage of colors. Like the swirling, groovy beat of this beautiful song from Night is Alive’s album Old New Borrowed and Blue, the river winds bring so much joy.

Where Do I Put His Memory – Janis Siegel, John Di Martino & others

Maybe you’ve just gone through a breakup or lost a loved one and are struggling with placing those memories in the past. I don’t know about you but when I am feeling down and blue about something in my life, I enjoy going for a long drive through the woods. The trees, leaves and green grass help to calm my nerves while I listen to some music, like this song from Night is Alive’s country jazz album Cryin’ in My Whiskey.

Don’t Know Why – Lonnie Plaxico, Douglas Plaxico & Lafayette Harris Jr.

There is something about Norah Jones that feels very autumnal to me, like her music just makes me want to pull a warm cozy knit sweater over my head and drink a cup of tea while observing the fall foliage. But why not spice things up a bit with this brand new rendition of Jones’s beloved song, from the album Radiance.

Kathy’s Blues – Harry Allen Trio

This song, inspired by Night is Alive’s founder and director Kathy Salem, is velvety and cool, smashing and dashing, with Harry Allen’s sax taking center stage. From the album It Takes 3, this tune will make you want to twirl around outside, embodying the spirits of the trees and the energy of the season!

Dayne – Lorca Hart Trio

After enjoying the fall foliage, you are probably feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and light on your feet, which is the vibe of this song, from Night is Alive’s beloved album Colors of Jazz. Having restful and easeful moments can help prepare us for the busyness of life that will inevitably return with the start of the holiday season. Cheers!

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Ivan Kuznetsov on Unsplash

Haunting Jazz for a Haunted House

Photo by Ján Jakub Naništa on Unsplash

You’ve set up the fog machine and lights, and positioned the cobwebs, dust and skeletons, which means it’s time for the sound effects! But rather than use the predictable eerie sounds, why not opt for something a bit more unsettling and frightful? Our Haunting Jazz playlist will hypnotize your guests into an experience like no other. These songs offer a darkly sophisticated twist on the Haunted House with chilling, atmospheric swing. The slow build-ups and deep rhythms will really get under the skin and create a deep, all-encompassing sense of dread.

Standing By the Window Waving Goodbye – Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind

Wave goodbye to the world of sanity and reality as you enter into the Haunted House with this mesmerizing song from Night is Alive’s album The Border Widow’s Lament. The methodical plucking of Martin Wind’s bass creates a spooky, tense vibe, like the slow drip of water from a faucet. Let the tension and anxiety build as you round the first corner and AHH! A zombie jumps out to grab you.

Deep In A Dream – John Di Martino, Harry Allen & others

Being inside of a haunted house feels like a dream, or maybe more like a nightmare . . . the rules of reality no longer apply and anything could happen. A huge spider could fall from the sky, a cat could arch its back and shriek at you, or a bloody corpse could twist and turn on an operating table. Let the dream take over, just like in this song from Night is Alive’s album The Border Widow’s Lament.

Recluse – Lorca Hart Trio

It’s so dark inside this haunted house, maybe you get lost, separated from your friends. Oh no! Where is that skeleton hand guiding you? Have you become a recluse, a loner inside this ghoulish space? I bet it’s scary to be all alone, which is a feeling portrayed in this song from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration and Gratitude.

The Gypsy – John Di Martino, Wayne Escoffery & others

Is that a gypsy or a witch performing dark magic in the corner of the haunted house? What is she doing? Be careful or you might just become possessed. Let the entrancing sound of Joe Magnarelli’s trumpet, in this tune from Night is Alive’s album Old New Borrowed and Blue wash over you as you plan your escape.

Are You Alright? – Janis Siegel, John Di Martino & others

It’s okay to be a little bit scared during this spooky time of the year. While you’re enjoying the haunted houses, just check in with yourself and make sure that you’re alright. Like the tender voice of Janis Siegel in this song, from Night is Alive’s country jazz album Cryin’ In My Whiskey, it’s important to take care of yourself!

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Greg Panagiotoglou on Unsplash

Pumpkin Carving Jazz Tunes

Photo by Steven Van Elk on Unsplash

The perfect songs to add to your spooky season playlist.

It doesn’t really feel like fall until you make your first jack-o-lantern, does it? It’s so much fun to think up a ghoulish design and bring your pumpkin to life. But what’s a carving session without a great soundtrack? Ditch the typical spooky sounds this year for something a bit more elegant and graceful with Night is Alive’s Pumpkin Carving Jazz Tunes playlist. These five cozy, autumnal jazz songs–from Bill Cunliffe to Lonnie Plaxico–will have you nodding your head and tapping your toes while you turn your gourd into a glowing masterpiece!

Slangelang – Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind

Things on Halloween may not always appear to be what they seem, like that black cat on the corner, is she just a cat or a witch in disguise? Or what about that flickering light in the window–is it just a candle or a ghost signal? Anything is possible, a sentiment that is captured beautifully in this song from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament.

Ness and His Family – Lorca Hart Trio

Continuing with the theme that things aren’t always as they seem, perhaps the “Ness” in this song is the Loch Ness Monster? Oh my! As you listen to the smooth saxophone can you imagine the Loch Ness Monster sliding into the depths of the ocean? I bet this tune, from Night is Alive’s album Inspiration & Gratitude, will inspire some mystical designs on your pumpkin.

Shake Down the Stars – John Di Martino, Harry Allen & others

The slinky vocals of this tune, from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible, evoke the effortless gliding of a knife through the skin of a pumpkin. Don’t limit yourself while you carve and create. Shake down the stars, and climb the ladder of creativity to make something that you’re truly proud of!

Mona Lisa – Lonnie Plaxico, Douglas Plaxico

Your pumpkin masterpieces may not exactly measure up to the Mona Lisa, but the sky is the limit. Let this song, from the new album Radiance, inspire you to design a facial expression on your pumpkin that is very mysterious. Is the orange monster smiling or keeping a secret? Angry or casting a spell? Who knows!

Border Widow’s Lament – Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind The majestic soaring of Martin Wind’s bass in this song, from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament, is beautiful, haunting and rich in resonance. It will hypnotize you as you put the final finishing touches on your pumpkin carving and usher in the candlelight.

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Steven Van Elk on Unsplash

Songs for a Zesty Zoo Day

Photo by Daniel Dvorský on Unsplash

Usually the zoo is so hot and crowded, it can be a bit unbearable, but with this cold snap in the air, I’m feeling pretty zesty, energetic and motivated! I bet the animals are feeling it too, which makes it a perfect time to go and appreciate the diverse and incredible creatures around us. This playlist is for all those who are feeling that extra pep in their step and want to keep the energy levels high as you drive to the zoo. It’s filled with cool, swinging jazz to match the playful energy of the penguins, the chill vibe of the sloths, and the majestic rhythm of the lions. So put on your walking shoes, grab your binoculars, and get ready to add a little extra zest to your zoo adventure.

Lonnie Plaxico, Camille Thurman & others – Sideshow

From the brand new album, Radiance, this peaceful song will get you ready for all the sights and shows you’ll see in the animal kingdom. Keep your eyes peeled while you’re at the zoo because while everyone is watching the lion yawn, there may also be a hummingbird hiding in the flowers! Be mindful and present to catch a glimpse of the little sideshows of life.

Harry Allen Trio – Runnin’ Wild

At the zoo it’s hard to tell sometimes who is running the most wild–is it the peacocks, monkeys or the little children spectators eager to see every fantastical creature? This tune, from Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3 will make you want to run wild, like a cheetah. But make sure to watch your step as you explore the many wonders of the zoo, and let the children go first and get the best view at the front, by the glass!

Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind – Little Bird

This whimsical, light-hearted song, from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament, will have you flitting around the zoo like a little bird! But did you know that modern birds are the direct descendents of dinosaurs? Yes, it’s true! So while you observe the cuteness of those cranes, eagles and flamingoes, be sure to also pay attention to their claws, wingspan and stance. Once you see the dinosaurs in those little birds, they may not seem so little anymore . . .

John Di Martino & others – Imagination

While strolling at the zoo why not let your imagination run wild? You could imagine that the snake is whispering to you, like in Harry Potter; or that the hyenas are laughing at the man who just dropped his ice cream cone! Or maybe the tortoise is a wise old professor and the croaking frog is his student? Who knows! The sky is the limit, and this lovely song, from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible will indulge your greatest whimsies.

Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind – Standing By the Window Waving Goodbye

Alas, like all good things, your zoo adventure must come to an end. I bet you feel like a little kid being pulled away by his parents from all the fun and excitement. Maybe you’re even standing by the window of your favorite animal waving goodbye? Let this song, from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament wash over you while you make your final rounds to all your furry and scaled friends.

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Daniel Dvorský on Unsplash

Have a Jazzy Oktoberfest!

Photo by Marlene Haiberger on Unsplash

Do you know where the first Oktoberfest was held? That’s right–Munich, Germany! And which year was it held? Correct–1810! So that means this fun-loving 16-day beer-drinking  festival has been going on for over two hundred years now! So how about you continue the tradition by gathering your friends and family and heading out to enjoy some delicious traditional Bavarian food and beer. But of course, before you begin the funfest, how about some jazzy tunes to get you excited?

Lonnie Plaxico, Lafayette Harris Jr. – The In Crowd

When you’re among the throngs of partygoers at Oktoberfest, you are definitely in the “in crowd,” so it makes sense to listen to this brand new tune from the album Radiance. While you get ready for the day by putting on your lederhosen and dirndls, enjoy the fast, upbeat pace of Lafayette Harris Jr.’s groovy piano!

Harry Allen Trio – Runnin’ Wild

With all the pretzels, schnitzel, sauerkraut and strudel, you are going to be runnin’ wild from tent to tent at Oktoberfest! Just like Harry Allen’s dashing saxophone in Night is Alive’s album It Takes 3, you are going to be frisking and prancing all about! Don’t forget to wash it all down with a nice cold stein of beer too.

John Di Martino, Harry Allen, Dave Stryker & others – The Second Time Around

Now that you’ve warmed your belly with some good grub and drink, it’s time to take a second walk around the fest and play some games! Have you ever tried to dance the polka? Done a keg rolling contest? Played ring toss? What about a yodeling contest or stein-holding competition? The options are endless, so make sure to enjoy the second time around like this song from Night is Alive’s album Call Me Irresponsible suggests!

WJ3 All-Stars – Wave

It’s not Oktoberfest without good friends and company! Have you run into some folks you know in the community? Make sure to wave and smile at everyone because who knows, maybe a wave can just lead to something more . . . Uh oh, who is that kissing behind the beer tasting stand!? Let the smooth waves of this jazz tune from Night is Alive’s album My Ship envelope you in a nice buzz.

Lorca Hart Trio – Bye Ya

Like all good things, Oktoberfest must come to a close, but alas, the party doesn’t have to end. Even though you may be saying “bye ya” to the funfest, you could still invite some friends over for an afterparty, or buy a nice beer mug to bring home and remember the day by. Like this song, from Night is Alive’s album Colors of Jazz depicts, saying goodbye doesn’t have to be a sad affair, it can still be jolly!

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Marlene Haiberger on Unsplash

Enchanting Jazz for a Renaissance Festival

Have you ever been to a Ren Faire? With costumes like peasant skirts, breeches, elf ears and battle swords; the sumptuous fare of turkey legs and mead; and the many exciting activities, like jousting and fortune-telling, the Ren Faire really is an imaginative playscape for adults! Of course at the Ren Faire, folk music is also usually performed, but what if you’re more of a jazz fan? What if you want something a little more snazzy to listen to while you get dressed and drive to the Ren Faire? Don’t worry, Night is Alive has got you covered with a playlist of enchanting jazz great for a Renaissance Festival!

Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind – Border Widow’s Lament

Tim Horner’s haunting bass in the titular song of Night is Alive’s album will hypnotize you just like a wise woman’s palm reading at the Ren Faire. Is that your life line? It’s looking very long, which is a good sign, but then it is intersected at the end there by another line . . . What could it mean? Does it mean the border widow has a lament with you?

Lonnie Plaxico, Douglas Plaxico, Camille Thurman & Lafayette Harris Jr. – Mona Lisa

Oh, Mona Lisa–the famous enigmatic woman in the Da Vinci painting from the flourishing Italian Renaissance. Is she smirking or is it an optical illusion? What is she hiding behind that expression? This song, from the new album Radiance, captures the captivating mystery of Mona Lisa. The winding piano touches on every note of the famous artwork and the secrets she’s hiding.

Lorca Hart Trio – Discoveries

This song, from Night is Alive’s beloved Colors of Jazz album, portrays the beauty of learning and discovery. From the archery contest to the fire-breather, from the knife-thrower to the witch’s cauldron, there are ample discoveries to be made at the Ren Faire! Let your spirits and imaginations run wild while you wander around. Strike up a conversation with the performers and historical reenactors to discover something new.

WJ3 All-Stars – I’ve Never Been in Love Before

With fairy and elf magic in the air, the Renaissance Festival may just be one of the most romantic places to fall in love. Maybe you’re single and haven’t always been lucky in love, but I encourage you to wear your heart on your chemise sleeve on this beautiful, fair day! Listen to this smooth jazz song, from Night is Alive’s album Lover and Love Songs, to lift your spirits and open yourself to new possibilities!

Bill Cunliffe, Tim Horner & Martin Wind – Slangelang

All the herbs and spices, meads and beers, sunshine and smoke of the Renaissance Fair may make you feel like you’ve entered a whole new world. When it’s all said and done, these memories will drift away into dreams, just like this song, from Night is Alive’s album Border Widow’s Lament.

Check out this music and more on Night is Alive’s albums page!

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild

Photo by Matt Benson on Unsplash

Q&A with Camille Thurman – Part 2

Part Two of Night is Alive’s exclusive interview with Camille Thurman

It’s finally here – the final part of our conversation with the incredible Camille Thurman! As an accomplished composer, esteemed saxophonist, vocalist, and unique interpreter of the jazz tradition, she is quickly becoming one of the leading standard bearers of the art form (from https://www.camillethurmanmusic.com/bio). And now, more from Camille…

NiA: You have five studio albums now, and received multiple jazz awards. Which moment from your career makes you most proud?

CT: Getting recognized is nice and great and wonderful but the real reason you do it is for the love of the music and every time I get to play with a musician I love is an honour and a privilege. That they’re willing to join you in creating their vision is an honor. Whether you get recognized or not isn’t as important as getting to play with the people you really respect and admire.

NiA: Yes, it is such an honor. In the beginning what music were you and these musicians playing together? Jazz standards?

CT: In the beginning I figured out who I wanted to play with and work with, then the first step was learning their music, as well as learning all the stuff that you should know. If you’re playing in a session, play the repertoire, learn what particular people want to work with, what are they playing, so if hypothetically you get an opportunity to play with them, know where they’re coming from, whatever it is. You need to meet them where they are and have musical conversation, and my own stuff that over the years I like and have been attracted to are things that inspire me and a lot of times things that I’ve learned from.

NiA: What was it like to record the new album Radiance? Do you have any favorite moments that stood out?

CT: It was really fun! Lonnie Plaxico is an incredible bassist, and he played with Art Blakey, so it was just an honor and privilege. Like woah, I couldn’t believe I got to play with him. I was with my band and Darrell Green, when I got the call from Lonnie Plaxico that he wanted me on his project, and I thought let me get all my stuff together, he’s incredible. I love and appreciate his musicality and composition and so, I was like wait, we’re not doing your stuff?  He used to tell me stories all the time about going up to Chicago and what it was like at that time–you had to learn the music of the people and make people groove and dance and if you could do that that’s what mattered, it wasn’t about showing off on your instrument. He talked about that a lot, so I was like, “wow okay you’re finally getting to do this” and he was like “I want you to have an opportunity to do what you do too on the album.”

The whole session was just fun and easy, not technically easy, but just could breathe with ease–that’s how it felt recording all the music. We didn’t even have to do multiple takes, we just came in and did it and it just happened, the way Lonnie played was just wow…. I was like a kid in the candy store. Recording the music just felt so good, which is what matters. Does it feel good? If it doesn’t feel good, you’re going to work hard. But the whole session was fun and easy. I appreciated it so much because you don’t hear that every day. And Lonnie Plaxico’s brother comes from that same era, so it felt like I was transported in time–that was the real deal and it’ll get the people feeling good.

NiA: Which is your favorite song from Radiance?

CT: Oh, that’s a hard one! I really liked “It’s a Shame.” When you have projects like this, when you’re pulling out different songs from different eras especially when it’s an iconic song, but you don’t want to abandon your own way of playing, it’s always tricky and fun. It’s fun keeping the respect of what it already is and to be able to appreciate it. And even though I’m the new generation I was able to find my own way of hearing the song; I wasn’t trying to just copy it exactly. I really had a lot of fun on this album and everyone should go and buy it!

Check out Night is Alive’s albums page for the very best in jazz, including Radiance.

Learn more about Camille Thurman at https://www.camillethurmanmusic.com/

written by Jacqueline Knirnschild