Written interview with keyboardist Mark Adams – This is neo soul
Jazz Blues European Union: – Thank you for taking the time to have this interview with Jazz Blues EU. Tell us about your music. When did you start performing?
Mark Adams: – My music is jazz with a funky beat, with all of the improvisational form of traditional jazz. I do play straight ahead jazz as well, but I prefer to play it with a funky beat. I started performing while in college with Eddie Henderson, Savion Glover and then with Mary J Blige after her 411 record came out. Then I played with Ron Carter’s nonet and then after graduating from college in May 1991, I was called to perform with Roy Ayers, which launched my career. I’ve been Roy’s music director for over 20+ years and it’s been an amazing adventure.
What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music?
My hometown is New York. This affected my music in a great way because I was able to see so many great musicians and learn from them. Everyone performs in New York and I saw many. Favorites include: Eddie Palmieri & Michell Camilo who blew my mind. I was sitting at the Blue Note Jazz club in NY sitting right behind the piano.
What performers have been your inspiration?
Roy Ayers, Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter…
What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
Getting Opportunities to perform on major shows. I have been fortunate to get those opportunities but it takes a lot of work as an independent artist.
What do you base your success on?
Recording 7 worldwide studio album/CD releases. Also, traveling all over the world under my name as well as being a sideman with Roy & many other amazing musicians and vocalists.
Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
Collaborating with other artists and musicians is an amazing experience because you learn and get influenced by their music and can sometimes apply it to your own. Definitely Roy Ayers, Ronnie Laws & Tom Browne. On my current album, “This is Neo-soul” we worked with so many great artists including the Roy crew which includes Chris DeCarmine on drums, John Pressley on vocals, Chulo on bass, Donald Nicks on bass & many fabulous jazz artists: Bill White on guitar from (Lonnie Liston Smith), Kimberly Davis vocalist, from (Chic), Dave Mullins on sax, (Gloria Gaynor), Kenyatta Beasley on trumpet (Wyclef Jean), Monte Croft on vibes, (Brian Blade), Steven Kroon, (Luther Vandross) and many many more.
What was your latest musical release?
March 20th will be my first release in 8 years called “This is Neo Soul” on DownJazz records, my last release came out in 2018 called “I Forgot To Remember To Forget”, which features Roy Ayers and Ron Carter and an amazing horn section.
Do you have any news to share? Could you share the story behind your latest new CD/Vinyl Mark Adams – This is neo soul and what inspired its creation?
David Schwartz, founder and owner of DownJazz Records spoke to me about doing this very interesting dance record. This is something that I never did before, but once I understood his vision, I was all in. I am super proud of this record. David Schwartz produced it and did an amazing job.
How does your latest album fit into your creative path? Is this a goal you wanted to achieve?
This record took me out of my comfort zone, which actually means growth in your creativity. I always want to grow musically. I didn’t overly improvise, I left space open for additions and the other musicians on the album. Chris our engineer did a brilliant job pulling all this material together.
How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?
I hear a melody in my head, and if I wake up and still hear it I make it into a song. This I feel is God driven. I never sit at the piano and just write a song. I have to hear it in my head first. In fact I have a melody in my head right now.
As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?
I choose not to worry about any of that. I play and write what I hear and feel.
What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
It plays a huge role which is something that I am still trying to understand. I have learned so much from David Schwartz from DownJazz with regards to that and just trust him and I learn as I go.
Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting impact on you and your music?
I’ve been touring with Roy Ayers throughout Europe, Australia, Africa, Japan, South America, Cuba and all over the states. I have been blessed to see the world with Roy Ayers. One particular show in Lugano Switzerland with Roy Ayers was magical. Horace Silver was on the show and I had to learn all of his beautiful music.
In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
I choose not to worry about that. People will listen to what they like and I can not control that, we play wherever people want to listen. Streaming, vinyl, live shows, its all good.
Musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage with your fans and build a dedicated community around your music?
I stay active with performing everywhere that I can and then I engage with social, streaming and emails and at live shows. Live shows are particularly important as a great place to connect with fans.
How can fans find you? Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.
Fans can find we on IG, Facebook and X. My new album “This is Neo-Soul” comes out on DownJazz records March 20. Vinyl & CD’s will be at your local record store and of coure on all streaming platforms.
Final words for fans would be, “we are not defined by our circumstance. There are no limitations as what we can do out here as long as we don’t set any for ourselves and as long as we don’t allow others to set any for us, and understanding of our true reality and work from there, knowing that God is the source of our supply because there is a Devine surplus”.
By Olivia Peevas
