Written interview with drummer Reid Hoyson Project – Home.
Reid Hoyson is a Pittsburgh drummer and producer who has been playing jazz for 50 years in the Pittsburgh area. He has performed with Richie Cole, Hendrik Meurkens, Jimmy Ponder, Arnie Lawrence, Eric Kloss, Don DePaolis and Tony DePaolis, Joe and Bobby Negri, John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, Tony Monaco, Rufus Reid, Billy Test, Andy Hunter, Steve Rudolph, Keith Bishop, David Berkman, New York cabaret singer Joyce Breach, New York Jazz vocalist Alexis Cole, Broadway star Lenora Nemetz, The Silhouettes, Jimmy Beaumont and The Skyliners, The Coasters, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, and The Platters. He has played on and produced two CDs of his group The Soiree Band, “ Soiree” and “ No One Claps For The Low Notes”. He has played on and produced three CDs for Richie Cole, “ Pittsburgh”, “ Have Yourself An Alto Madness Christmas”, and “ The Keys Of Cool”, Richie Cole and Tony Monaco, “Strollin’, a recording with Hendrik Meurkens and Tony Monaco, and” Natural Gifts”, The Reid Hoyson Project, featuring Don Depaolis and Mark Lucas, “Your Move”, featuring Keith Bishop, “That Sunday That Summer” with Hendrik Meurkens, bass icon Rufus Reid and WDR Big Band, Cologne, Germany pianist Billy Test, “On A Misty Night”, The Reid Hoyson Project, as well as” In Your Dreams”, which went to Number 2 on the Jazz Week Charts, and “Home”, featuring Jazz guitar master Dan Wilson, our current release.
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? What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music?
Reid Hoyson: – My home town is Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, where many jazz masters originated, so jazz history is rich.
What performers have been your inspiration?
Inspiration: Growing up watching Ed Sullivan on Sunday Night in America was a real gift. You were exposed to Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, The Beatles and the British Invasion,Frank Sinatra,Sergio Mendes, (love Latin music).
What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry? What do you base your success on? Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
The Silhouettes mentioned above was that type of group, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett. I did a lot of trio work. In terms of drummers Buddy Rich, Mickey Roker, Mel Lewis, Airto, Jimmy Cobb, Tony Williams and all the Miles and Herbie stuff, Mike Clark, Peter Erskine, Alex Acuna, Harvey Mason, Billy Cobham, Art Blakey.
What was your latest musical release?
The latest recording is entitled “Home” from a composition by Keith Bishop, with Tony DePaolis on bass, Keith Bishop on saxes and flutes, Billy Test on piano and B3, and Dan Wilson on guitar. Very happy with this one.
Do you have any news to share? Could you share the story behind your latest new CD Reid Hoyson Project – Home what inspired its creation?
My support is phenomenal, with Keith Bishop who wrote for Buddy Rich, Billy Test with the WDR Big Band in Germany, Hendrik Meurkens, Rufus Reid, Richie Cole, Tony Monaco, Dan Wilson, are all gifted, and Jay Dudt who handles the recording and mixing and producing is invaluable. Couldn’t do it without him.
How does your latest album fit into your creative path? Is this a goal you wanted to achieve?
Dan Wilson is a great guitar player who comes to Pittsburgh to play and I wanted to do something with him. Since Billy Test is terrific on both piano and Hammond B3, I knew this combination had many possibilities. I record once a year at the end of the summer to fit Billy’s schedule, and everyone likes to come home to Pittsburgh to have fun.
How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?
Being an independent artist is difficult because of the budget issues. You just don’t have the money. I’m thankful to be able to do what I can.
As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?
My experiences with other artists help you learn and grow and meet challenges each individual brings. I ask every one who records with me to bring what you would like to play, and we go from there. I have ideas what I would like to and with the others ideas we see what happens.
What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
My goal is to record quality jazz as long as I am able. Creative freedom and commercial appeal: We all like very listenable music that swings, so we don’t have problems with commercial appeal. We like beautiful melodies and tight arrangements.
Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting impact on you and your music?
A performance experience happened last year when a fantastic NY jazz singer Alexis Cole asked my to play at The Jazz Forum in Tarrytown, NY, and then Pangea in NY City with Sean Fitzpatrick on piano and Tony De Paolis on bass. Alexis came to Pittsburgh to record, which will be out in 2027. It was a great time.
In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
I use both but on a limited basis. You Tube is great and convenient, and I have all my music on Bandcamp, and work with CD baby. The time element is the problem since I’m a one person act, and have to do everything myself. But very helpful.
Streaming is really a terrible turn of events for all musicians. The streaming services take our music, sell it and keep the money. We get nothing. End of story!
Musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage with your fans and build a dedicated community around your music? How can fans find you? Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.
Our music does well on jazz radio, but the fanbase is small. It grows a little each year and I am thankful for that.
My music can be found at reidhoyson.bandcamp.com
By Olivia Peevas
