Alan Roubik Interview

INTERVIEW WITH ALAN ROUBIK FROM TheCelebrityCafe.com ARCHIVES

DM) Where did you get your start in jazz?

AR) My first gig was in 1991 at a popular jazz club in Santa Monica (California) called At My Place. I had heard about this club through a girlfriend of mine in college, and enjoyed going there on weekends to listen to jazz fusion artists.

They had a decent baby grand piano, a small stage, and could accommodate up to 200 patrons. I enjoyed attending so much I decided I'd put together a band and perform there myself. I convinced the manager of the club I had a strong following in the Los Angeles area, and I'd be able to pack the place on a Saturday night. I didn't have much of a demo, but he gave in and told me that I'll get one chance...and "one chance only" to prove myself.

I got a band together, and we packed the house!It went so well that I decided to try it again a few months later (in 1992). This time, I had more confidence, and recruited the best musicians I could find ­ Grant Geissman (guitar), Melvin Davis (bass), Paul Russo (sax), Cristobal Granados (percussion), and Sam Okamoto (drums). On the heels of my second sold out performance in the most popular jazz club in L.A., I borrowed money from my parents and started working on my first recording, "Promises".

DM) What's the next step in your career?

AR) I want to be able to reach more people in the US, and will be working on making a stronger presence on radio/TV an crossover into broader Adult Contemporary markets. I'll also continue to make it possible for my fans to keep up with my schedule, obtain information, and be able to purchase my CDs before released to the retail stores through my web site.

Asia has been very receptive towards my style of music, and I have been able showcase my music on MTV Asia, Star TV and the Broadcast Corporation of China. However, it's impossible to get air time on MTV in the US, and very difficult cutting through all the payola and politics of radio promotion in the US as well.

I'll be releasing a smooth jazz style CD entitled "Four Seasons" very soon, and am working on my next (more pop/AC oriented) recording and music video...to be released in 2000 or 2001.

DM) Why do you think that you've been so successful in Asia?

AR) They appreciate good quality music (i.e. composition, performance, production), and they consider me a 'pop' artist rather than categorizing me as a contemporary jazz or new age artist. This opens me up to a much larger listening audience. Good publicity and distribution also play a big role in making my music heard and available to the public.

DM) Who are your biggest influences?

AR) When I was a junior at Alhambra High School, I became a car audiophile nut. And the best sounding music on my favorite stereo equipment (Nakamichi) was classical music and the jazz fusion music of Dave Grusin, Victor Feldman, and James Newton Howard.

Growing up, though, I listened to nearly every style of music... including AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Kool & The Gang, The Gap Band, Michael Jackson and others. But I was always partial to ballads, and really enjoyed the compositions and vocal style of Lionel Richie.

DM) Do you ever cover their songs when you're performing live?

AR) I've performed a couple of songs written and performed by a well-known Japanese recording artist in Japan, and it's gone over well. I give the music my unique interpretation, and the audience really appreciates my interest in their music. I also think they get a kick out of hearing it performed by an American artist.

DM) How do some of those bands fit into your jazz music?

AR) When I produce my records, I carefully select the musicians who would best represent the style of music I like most... For example, my bass player on the "Promises" CD is Melvin Davis- long time band member of Chaka Khan, the Pointer Sisters, and others in R&B music. But he also plays with contemporary jazz artists Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton. One of the sax players from the same CD, Paul Russo, use to play with the Pointer Sisters, Lionel Richie and The Commodores. My string orchestrater has orchestrated for Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Metallica, Grover Washington, Jr. and many, many other artists with varied styles, etc...

DM) What's your favorite track on the CD?

AR) Because I write music based on how I feel at the moment, my favorite track often depends on my mood when I'm asked this question. But the one that always stands out in my mind would be "Without You". It's a beautiful ballad, with an incredible string arrangement by Suzie Katayama (who recently was featured on cello with Aerosmith at the Grammy's recently. BTW the other cellist next to her and Aerosmith happened to also perform on this CD and had a solo passage in this song as well).

On my latest recording, piano solo CD "Keys To My Heart", I really like "In The Dark" a lot. But I'd have to say that I enjoy performing "The Bohemian", which touches on my ragtime and classical roots.

DM) What ragtime songs did you play?

AR) I have long been a big fan of Scott Joplin. My first ragtime piece that I learned was "The Entertainer", which was a pretty difficult choice for an 11-year-old. I still perform Maple Leaf Rag - a crowd favorite - especially when I mix it up with Bumble Boogie!

DM) What is your favorite musical style? 1920's Jazz, Ragtime, Modern Jazz?

AR) I really enjoy Dixieland, Ragtime and the Big Band era most. I'm not crazy about modern or progressive jazz.