Rachel Musson releasing, I Went This Way October 23, 2020 with 577 Records
Interview conducted September 10, 2020
By Dan Locke
Feature photo by Peter_Gannushkin
With her upcoming album, I Went This Way, London-based saxophonist Rachel Musson debuts her own ambitious compositions, incorporating spoken word text and daring instrumental experimentation, alongside eight other accomplished musicians, an ensemble built around her close and longstanding working relationship with drummer Mark Sanders. The music, a blend of compositions and improvisation designed to highlight all of the different musical voices in the ensemble, is suspended from a through-composed text written by Musson that explores the process of improvisation, and her reflections on the experiential process of making music. Showcasing her own directorial ability, this project also draws from a long career in experimental collaboration, including previous projects with SHIFA (her trio with Pat Thomas and Mark Sanders), Federico Ughi, and a diverse range of musicians on the European improvisational jazz scene, like Han Bennink, Eddie Prevost, Sebastian Rochford, Louis Moholo, among many others. While much of this album has its roots in free jazz, the semi-notated score and spoken word text allow for semi-orchestral influences to reach the fore, ranging from delicate chamber-size string sections to a more upfront horn section and simmering percussion throughout.
Credits
Debbie Sanders – Voice
Sarah Farmer – Violin
Richard Scott – Viola
Hannah Marshall – Cello
Xhosa Cole – Flute and Tenor Sax
Lee Griffiths – Alto Sax
Rachel Musson – Tenor Sax
Chris Mapp – Bass
Mark Sanders – Drums
You are a saxophonist, improviser, and a composer. Tell me about your upbringing?
I grew up in South Wales, UK in a small seaside town.
How did you discover music?
I discovered music at school, learning violin at the age of around 10, and then picking up flute at age 11 and saxophone around age 14. In my hometown, there was a jazz summer school with tutors from all over the UK and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend. After that there was no going back!
Why did you pick the sax as your instrument to learn how to play? What makes a good sax?
I loved the flute, but I think I wanted something with a bit more power and range. It was the 80s and the saxophone was everywhere in pop music on the radio!
How did you start to write music?
I started to write music simply because I wanted to write down the little melodies in my head. Later I had to write music for my formal studies at school and university.
What was your first performance at like?
I remember my first performance at the summer school when I was a teenager. I had to play a 12-bar blues and I was so nervous about improvising I wrote out a little solo to play. I made a mistake and wrote 10 bars and learnt my lesson never to prepare for improvisation again!
Do you enjoy trio or duo better?
I love both. I sometimes find duo tends to be more conversational, whereas the trio allows for a bigger range of orchestration. I also like playing with quartets and larger groups.
Your album comes out on Oct. 23th. ” I Went This Way”. Tell me about it.
‘I went this way,’ is a project for a nonet. I was commissioned to write it by Tony Dudley Evans, and it was first performed at the Mac in Birmingham, then later at Cheltenham Jazz Festival (and recorded for BBC Radio Three) and Cafe Oto. The release is the live performance from Cafe Oto. It’s a wonderful band – the most amazing and original improvisers – and the range of individual styles allows the work to be really eclectic. I had so much fun working with these musicians. The work hangs off a text I wrote exploring the process of improvising.
How different is your previous project with SHIFA then your current project?
Shifa is a trio that plays only improvised music, whereas ‘I went this way’ is a piece that I wrote for improvisers, so there are an overall form and some structured music.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
That’s a good question! It’s been a while since I went away due to Covid-19, but when I last traveled (to Poland in January) I took my running shoes and made sure I did some exercise whilst I was away. It’s a good way of exploring the local area as well!
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I have to say I’ve not really kept up with this conversation. I’m still quite old-school – downloading is still about as digital as I get.
Digital vs. vinyl?
I’m about to catch up with vinyl and get hold of a turntable! When I was a teenager, I bought quite a bit of second-hand jazz LPs, but when I left home as a student the CD was very much the new thing, so that feels like my natural choice. I’m quite excited to be having recordings coming out on vinyl on 577 Records now, and getting a turntable will also mean I can finally play all my old and favourite records.
So, you feel that the Me-Too Movement has helped female performers?
I’m not sure if it has, but if it has then that’s great. There have recently been more and more young female jazz/improving musicians, and that’s really encouraging.
What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?
Do you mean the Black Lives Matter movement? There have been protests and lots of discussions here in the UK too. I really hope that the momentum continues and we begin to see some real change happen.
What is the mental health situation of the United State? How can the public help the doctors and nurses on the front line?
I can speak about the UK – I think that the recent lockdown has had a huge impact on the mental health of the public. And with an increase in economic hardship and job losses that are to come then, it’s only going to get worse. I wish we had a government that put people before business. In the UK I think the public can help the NHS by voting for political parties that support the NHS rather than seek to erode funding and support.
Do you think kids should go back to school his fall?
Here in the UK children have just gone back to school. We are now watching to see what the impact of this will be. I imagine it’s a really difficult decision to make.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Right now, I happen to be listening to Oscar Peterson’s Night Train and it’s giving me happy memories of when I briefly took up drums and spent my entire time practicing medium swing!
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
It’s really hard to see. Hopefully we’ll get on top of this and live music will return. I’d like to think it has maybe made people think about touring and the environmental impact – perhaps in Europe there will be a resurgence of train travel – it would be great if long distance and cross-Europe trains were to be reinstated and further developed.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
It gave me some time to practice and to spend some time on my psychotherapy studies. I’m hoping to be able to volunteer as a counselor soon.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
It was great to have more time to read and to slow down.
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I don’t watch much tv!
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. What are you planning to do?
I have done a few Facebook events for the Freedom Sessions (organized by Orphy Robinson and co.). Also, I had a Zoom gig which was a first. It’s not the same but it’s nice to continue a sense of community.
Live Nations just started Live Nation from Home? Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams, performances, new music, and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
Let’s see!
For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?
Things have just started in London. The Vortex, for instance, is open again. It’s introduced social distancing and has upped its door fee to account for the reduction in the audience. I think at the moment people are prepared to pay as it’s such a novel experience to actually go out and see live music.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it may be the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?
Hopefully there might be a development in terms of vaccine and treatment. Let’s see how next summer looks…
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
That sounds like fun!
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
Hopefully with a few more recordings under my belt, and keeping on playing gigs and festivals. I would like to continue to explore writing for improvisation, and to keep using text as a catalyst. It has been great developing a relationship with 577 Records and I would very much like to keep this going.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Thanks for listening!
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