Interview with Robben Ford: I’m a blues player, who has a handle on traditional jazz harmony … Video

Jazz interview with jazz and blues guitarist Robben Ford. An interview by email in writing.

JazzBluesNews.Space: – First let’s start with where you grew up, and what got you interested in music?

Robben Ford: – I’m from Ukiah California, born into a musical family. Everyone loved music.

JBN.S: – What got you interested in picking up the guitar?

RF: – My father played guitar, my first instrument was saxophone. After hearing blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield I started devoting myself to learning the guitar.

JBN.S: – What teacher or teachers helped you progress to the level of playing you have today? What made you choose the guitar?

RF: – I’m self taught: I learned chords from a chord book and scales from another and just played and played, always had a band.

JBN.S: – How did your sound evolve over time? What did you do to find and develop your sound?

RF: – I stumbled into an early sixties (brand new at the time) Fender piggy back Bassman amp. I liked hollow bodied guitars as I thought I wanted to be a jazz musician. I listened more to tenor saxophone players than jazz guitarist and my sound was heavily influenced by the saxophone’s sound.

JBN.S: – What practice routine or exercise have you developed to maintain and improve your current musical ability especially pertaining to rhythm?

RF: – No real routines. Writing and playing music is all I do which is how you progress: by constantly being involved.

JBN.S: – Which harmonies and harmonic patterns do you prefer now?

RF: – I’m a blues player who has a handle on traditional jazz harmony, nothing special other than a liberal use of the diminished scale.

JBN.S: – Which are the best ten jazz albums for you this 2017 year?

RF: – I still listen to Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis.

JBN.S: – Many aspiring musicians are always looking for advice when navigating thru the music business. Is there any piece of advice you can offer to aspiring students or even your peers that you believe will help them succeed and stay positive in this business?

RF: – Musicians need to be clear about the current state of the music business in which most of our income potential has been taken away by people thinking that music is free. You need several ways of making money, teaching being a good one, and knowledge of how to take advantage of the potential that is offered by internet. It’s every man for himself these days and we need to be smart.

JBN.S: – Аnd furthermore, can jazz be a business today or someday?

RF: – Generally you need to be exposed at an early age.

JBN.S: – John Coltrane said that music was his spirit. How do you understand the spirit and the meaning of life?

RF: – Music is Joy, kindness the best practice. I believe Coltrane exemplified that in much of his music and life.

JBN.S: – What’s the next musical frontier for you?

RF: – I’ll be recording a new record in January. I’d like to believe it will be the best record I ever made.