Describe your first experience playing music.
My first experiences playing music were my goofing around with my first guitar at 5, guitar/theory lessons when I was six, recorder ensemble during my elementary education. But my first musical EXPERIENCE was putting on records by The Beatles, Wilson Pickett, Aretha, Eddie Floyd, Credence, Ahmad Jamal, Ken Nordine,Kai Winding, Chico Hamilton, Bay City Rollers, many others, between 3-5 yrs of age. That was my favorite activity, and probably still is.
What has been your most significant musical experience?
Probably the answer to question #1. Or when I heard the White Album
at age 6. Or hearing David Russell in concert when I was 14.
What is the best advice on pursuing a career in music you were ever given?
My teacher, John Holmquist, when I was a student at CIM: “Music Business is two words”, and “Never play your music faster than your ability to articulate it clearly to your listener”. That 2nd quote is a very important lesson for the aspiring professional guitarist that perhaps more guitarists could take to heart.
What is your favorite sound?
Too hard to answer, but at least this week it’s Bernard Purdie playing drums on “Caves of Altamira”. Name some of your biggest non-musical influences. My father: “even if this doesn’t become your job, you can always come home from work and play guitar for your own enjoyment” (he told me this when I was 11) and “even if there’s 1 person in the audience, you should play for that person, because they came to hear music” (when I was about 12).
What is the most memorable concert you ever attended?
Aforementioned D Russell concert, Julian Bream in ’88, Cleveland Orchestra Mahler 2nd 1999, Mitsuko Uchida in Philly playing a Mozart Piano Quintet 2000?, Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny trio setting and with Gary Burton. Too many, I know.
Put your iPod on shuffle and name the first 5 songs that come up.
No iPOD, but since we’re talking “pop” songs…this week only,
don’t get it twisted…
- electric relaxation, a tribe called quest
- refuge of the roads, joni mitchell
- black cow, steely dan
- death of auto-tune, jay-z
- bleed, meshuggah
Keep up with Jason at www.jasonvieaux.com
