Interview with saxophonist David Hodgson. An interview by email in writing.
Dear readers, get to know more about our US/EU Jazz – Blues Festivals and the activities of our US/EU Jazz – Blues Association in the capitals of Europe, we will soon publish program for 2024, enjoy in the July – August – Brussels, Berlin, Prague, Warsaw, Sofia, new addreses this year, also in Amsterdam, Budapest and Liverpool.
JazzBluesNews.com: – First, let’s start out with where you grew up, and what got you interested in music. How exactly did your adventure take off? When did you realize that this was a passion you could make a living out of?
David Hodgson: – I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, and started piano lessons at age 5, and picked up the saxophone in grade 5. I played in some community bands as well, and by grade 10 I played in honour ensembles and was doing some gigs around Vancouver with friends – learning standards, about music, checking out recordings – I was just following an interest that has grown into a passion! I decided to move to Toronto and go to U of T in 2017 and really like the music scene here.
OUR US/EU Jazz and Blues Festivals 2023
JBN: – How has your sound evolved over time? What have you been doing to find and develop your own sound?
DH: – I think sound grows over time as we listen to more music, discover new inspirations, and meet new people. I try to listen to lots of music and love to transcribe and sing. Finding music that resonates with oneself is really important in developing their sound, I think.
JBN: – What routine practices or exercises have you developed to maintain and improve your current musical proficiency, in terms of both rhythm and harmony?
DH: – Long tone exercises, metronome and time exercises, singing, transcribing, playing piano, writing music are all great!
JBN: – Have you changed through the years? Any charges or overall evolution? And if so why?
DH: – Change is natural, I just try to embrace myself.
There could be talk or advertising about your CD
JBN: – In your opinion, what’s the balance in music between intellect and soul?
DH: – I guess it’s just a feeling! Or maybe a secret family recipe.
JBN: – There’s a two-way relationship between audience and artist; are you okay with delivering people the emotion they long for?
DH: – I just try and play my best and hope the best.
JBN: – How can we get young people interested in jazz when most of standard tunes are half a century old?
DH: – Maybe play songs that aren’t all standards.
JBN: – John Coltrane once said that music was his spirit. How do you perceive the spirit and the meaning of life?
DH: – I’m still trying to figure that out, I think.
JBN: – If you could change one single thing in the musical world and that would become reality, what would that be?
DH: – I want artists, and musicians especially, to get properly compensated for their work!
JBN: – Whom do you find yourself listening to these days?
DH: – I’ve been back into Sonny Rollins recently!
OUR US/EU Jazz and Blues Association 2023
JBN: – Let’s take a trip with a time machine: where and why would you really want to go?
DH: – I would love to see some dinosaurs.
JBN: – So far, it’s been me asking you questions, now may I have a question from yourself…
DH: – Do you have a favourite person you’ve interviewed?
JBN: – Sure, I have thousands of musicians who are members of my US/EU Jazz – Blues association and perform at my festivals, but certainly not you, you’re not even close…
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Interview by Simon Sarg