An Interview With Harry Allen

Night is Alive is always looking to provide the very best in jazz to our listeners, and that means thinking outside the box to create unique musical experiences. It Takes 3, our newest album, does just that. Showcasing the exceptional talents of tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, pianist Rossano Sportiello, and drummer Bryan Carter, this collaboration brings together three renowned jazz musicians, each contributing their unique style to the project. The tracklist features a blend of jazz standards and original compositions and offers listeners a rich tapestry of melodies and rhythms that pay homage to the jazz tradition while infusing it with fresh interpretations.

Night is Alive sat down with tenor saxophonist Harry Allen to hear some of his thoughts and feelings surrounding the recording experience and his dynamic career in music.

Night is Alive: What was the inspiration behind the idea to record this unconventional jazz trio with Night is Alive?

Harry Allen: The inspiration came from the idea that we could have a trio without a bass. You don’t see a lot of trios nowadays that can play without a bass. To do that you have to have a strong pianist with their left hand. Our pianist in this piece, Rossano Sportiello, is incredibly gifted with his left hand. That makes up for the fact that we do not have a bass in the trio. You see the bass in the foundation of the band for keeping the rhythm section in time. Most piano players are strong in their right hand, and therefore cannot make up for the fact that there is no bass. However, a pianist strong in their left hand can make up for this fact.

NiA: Looking back at recording and production process, what was your favorite part?

HA: Playing with everybody was truly the best part of the production process. It was a lot of fun playing with these talented musicians. Each one of them brings something unique and its great to see a piece of music come together.

NiA: What should listeners expect from the new album?

HA: We did an array of song from the great American song book as well some of my and Rossano’s songs. It’s a great combo of looking back as well as looking forward. In the 1930s and 1940s, there were a lot of jazz trios that played without a bass. There were stronger left-handed pianists than there are now. We pay tribute to this past in the album, but we put our spin on the songs to make the album modern as well. This makes the album unique compared to others.

NiA: If you were to look back on your musical career, are there any moments that have had a lasting impact on it?

HA: Right out of college I was hired by a famous musician named Oliver Jackson. We traveled around Europe playing and he introduced me to various promoters. He told these promoters about how good I was, and it helped me get my career started as a jazz musician. This was truly a moment that shaped my career as a musician.

NiA: Were has been your favorite place to travel?

HA: There are several places and each one of them brings something different to appreciate about it. Japan has some of the greatest jazz fans in the world; a lot of them come up to you and recognize your music which is a cool experience. Paris and Rome are also two beautiful cities that have amazing jazz venues. Lausanne Switzerland was also an incredibly beautiful city. The great thing about being a musician is you get to travel and visit all these incredible places.

It Takes 3 is available now! Be sure to order your copy today. You can also hear Harry Allen in other acclaimed Night is Alive albums Call Me Irresponsible and Cryin’ In My Whiskey.

An Interview With Bill Cunliffe

Grammy-award winning jazz pianist and composer Bill Cunliffe has collaborated with Night is Alive on multiple occasions. His most recent album, Border Widow’s Lament, is a powerful and moving tribute to the rich tradition of jazz music. He can also be heard on popular Night is Alive Christmas albums Christmas in the Dog House and That Time of Year. We sat down with Cunliffe to pick his brain about music and life in general…

Night is Alive: How did your family play a role in shaping the musician you are today?

Bill Cunliffe: Well, my mother was a pianist. My father is a musicaholic, He always had music playing in the house. So, I was exposed to music at a very early age.  My exposure to music at a very early age helped create my lifelong passion for music.

NiA: You have taught at several different schools across the country. What do you enjoy the most about teaching?

BC: Working with a student on a piece of music that they’re working on. Then referring to another piece of music. Our music is mostly by ear and not by sightseeing. So, the best way to learn it is by hearing a similar piece of music. Each time I work with a student on a piece of music I have heard I experience it in a different way.

NiA: What was your favorite part about working on Christmas In The Dog House with Night is Alive?

BC: Making music is my favorite part. The process of composing, arranging, and producing is always the best part about working on an album. Christmas music also can adapt easily to jazz. There seems to be more and more Christmas albums every year that are in jazz every year. People seem to respond well to jazz Christmas albums. People responded well to Christmas at the Doghouse. 

NiA: Do you have any fun family traditions for Christmas?

BC: No, I don’t. Of course I do similar stuff to other people like a Christmas tree. This year I’m shopping for a LED wreath for my beautiful 100-year-old Spanish house. My house is not quite as festive as some of the other houses in the neighborhood, so I want to spruce it up a bit for Holiday season. 

Check out this other interview we have with Bill Cunliffe, as well as his many albums with Night is Alive.

An Interview With Frank Lacy

Night is Alive is back with more from our world-class musicians! We sat down with Frank Lacy, whose talents are not limited to trombone, as he is a featured vocalist on Night is Alive’s most recent Christmas album, “This Christmas With Night is Alive.”

Night is Alive: Clearly, you grew up in a very musical family, and you played several instruments throughout your childhood. How did all these musical influences impact your successful career as a jazz artist?

Frank Lacy: It helped to diversify all that I could do artistically. It enhanced my ability to play different brass instruments. It also helped me with being a vocalist, being able to arrange and compose. So it has lead me to a mirage of different opportunities as a musician. 

I have recorded with people such as Kid Cudi. I played in the Mingus Big Band. I have recorded two records with Elvis Costello. I have won two Grammys with McCoy Tyner’s Big Band.

NiA: You have traveled around a great deal, playing in different jazz bands across the country. What is your favorite place to travel?

FL: I did dig being in Siberia for a month. I was performing, and often when people think of Siberia, they think “Oh, cold.” However, it’s very different than people would think. I enjoyed Iceland, too; I did some teaching and playing there and it was very interesting as well. These places are often not thought about because of their remoteness.

NiA: What made you decide to collaborate with Night is Alive Productions and vocalist Teddy Horangic on a Christmas album?

FL: It wasn’t my idea, it was the idea of the tenor saxophone Wayne Escoffey. Wayne teaches at Yale university and Teddy was going to school there. I had worked with Wayne before at Gizzi’s. Wayne thought it would be a great idea to collaborate on a Christmas Album. It really was Wayne Escoffey, he was the one who basically produced the record.

NiA: What was your favorite part of recording This Christmas With Night is Alive?

FL: I had never sung on a Christmas record like that, that’s number one. Number two: remembering and trying to recreate the Christmas songs that we did. Everyone knows these tunes, so we wanted to put our own spin on it but not let it get lost in putting our own spin on it. We wanted to let the Christmas carol really be sung and understood as a Christmas carol, not trying to change it up too much. Just so we could give the music to the people in a jazzier way.

NiA: This Christmas With Night is Alive is all about the spirit of Christmas and traditions of Christmas. Do you have any fun family traditions around the holidays?

FL: Not exactly, basically just the whole spirit of Christmas. All the things that people do for Christmas: the presents, the Christmas tree, the lights, the food. Just just for Christmas, but the whole period leading up to Christmas.

For more on Frank Lacy and This Christmas With Night is Alive, visit nightisalive.com/portfolio/this-christmas