Greg O'Conner, Keiko Matsui, Gerald Albright Schmooze Jazz Interview
Part 1 – Musicians and Online Concerts, the New Normal in the Wake of Coronavirus
Sheryl Aronson interviews Greg O’Conner, Keiko Matsui, and Gerald Albright about how COVID-19 is impacting them as musicians. This is the first in the “COVID19 Don’t Stop the Music” series.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and social distancing has us all confined to our homes, temporarily shutting the doors to concert venues throughout the world. For many musicians, gigging and touring has been the bulk of their livelihood, but for the next few months, and possibly the remainder of this year, having a concert in a venue is no longer an option. And for us music fans and concert goers, the big question is, “Where will we go for entertainment now?” New platforms have sprung up, creating the virtual setting for musicians to play live in front of their fans. Online concerts on Facebook, Instagram, and other streaming platforms offer their services—some are free, and others cost but we get to enjoy these performances in the safety of our homes with our computer screen the virtual stage.
As a music journalist, I spend a lot of time covering concerts and interviewing musicians for Schmooze Jazz. I thought this would be an opportune time to interview musicians about how this pandemic has affected them. These are strange and dangerous times, and we are all affected. But it is also a time for creative ideas, as well as reinventing ways to stay connected. It can also be a time for healing and finding happiness.
“I believe that this is the time for us to reconsider . . . how to live. We need to support each other as Global citizens on this planet.” – Keiko Matsui, International Keyboardist/Composer
“I have seen so many people take this time to use their artistic expression as a healing tool and to show that we are all in this together.” Greg O’Conner – Emmy-winning Television/Film Composer
“I have chosen to rededicate myself to my instrument and go even deeper than I thought I could. I can already see amazing results.” – Gerald Albright (Grammy-nominated jazz saxophonist)
Stay tuned as Schmooze Jazz features smooth jazz (-related), fusion, and traditional jazz artists in this series.
Questions by Sheryl Aronson
Responses by: Greg O’Conner, Keiko Matsui, and Gerald Albright
Greg O’Conner has composed music for over 570 television episodes, has been nominated four times for a Prime Time Emmy, and won an Emmy for the song, A Wonderful Normal Day (MadTV). O’Connor served as the composer and songwriter for all fourteen seasons of MadTV. He also has applied his talents to writing scores and songs for films, commercials and recording artists of all genres of music. Recently Greg O’Conner composed a song with lyricist Jordan Firstman, for the Film Independent Spirit Awards last February. The song went viral all over the world in less than 48 hours with over 7 million views. It was featured on Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, The Oscar Preshow, Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, and all major publications. The tribute to Laura Dern at the end of the song was a huge hit and she posted about it on her Instagram.
James Cordon tweeted, “This is the best part of any award show you’ll see this year. Sensational!”
Link to full song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPnuXOrBINY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3I7jAuZWrVq16vo1k5oo93SrC8-YktUbBFyahUfEvqGLPwnEpBjZsaPLY
Sheryl Aronson: How has the Covid-19 affected you as a musician?
Greg O’Conner: I am currently working on an animated feature film, a drama film, social media scoring projects, and several songwriting projects, all of which have been put on hold due to the Coronavirus. This is true for many of us in the entertainment industry. But more importantly, this has affected me as a musician because we are in a time of self-reflection. This is a time for us all to push the reset button with our priorities and with our relationships. We are being given an opportunity to become a better society.
Sheryl Aronson: As an artist what has been your creative approach to reach out to the public during this time of social distancing?
Greg O’Conner: I have been putting short videos up on my Insta stories as well as helping actor friends with their social media videos by writing musical themes, songs, and scores.
Sheryl Aronson: How have you challenged yourself as an artist during this time?
Greg O’Conner: I am taking this time to work on passion projects that I have been putting on the back burner.
Sheryl Aronson: What has it meant to you sharing your music so personally to the audience on Facebook/Insta Live?
Greg O’Conner: Many of us are sharing our art, whatever that may be, with our families, friends, and followers. I feel this is one small way that I can give back. I have seen so many people take this time to use their artistic expression as a healing tool and to show that we are all in this together. This has been very inspiring. I plan on doing some actual “live” performances, hopefully soon.
Sheryl Aronson: List any upcoming online concerts, CD Releases, etc. that you want to share.
Greg O’Conner: It is too soon to announce anything in particular. You never know which projects will work out due to so many factors right now. Hopefully, my projects will come back in full swing after this crisis is all over. We are all hoping that is the case.
Keiko Matsui is an acclaimed pianist, composer, and humanitarian, who tours the world playing jazz festivals and solo piano concerts. She has worked alongside Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Hugh Masekela, Bob James, and Dave Koz. Keiko Matsui released her 28th recording as a leader, Echo on February 19th, 2019, which she co-produced with Grammy-nominated producer Bud Harner.
Sheryl Aronson: How has the coronavirus affected you as a musician?
Keiko Matsui: It is a challenging time for us. Realistically, so many shows have been postponed or canceled. I was planning to travel between the US, Mexico, Spain, Japan, and European countries this spring, but now traveling is not safe and easy like before. Of course, not only musicians are having a hard time. Crew members who are supporting the show (engineer, lighting director, Tour Manager, etc.) are having hard times too. But I understand that it is important to stay home to decrease the [risk]. Safety and each person’s health is the priority. So I think positively, and this is a great break – I take enough time for preparation for the next stage and evolution of my career.
Sheryl Aronson: As an artist what has been your creative approach to reach out to the public during this time of social distancing?
Keiko Matsui: I received many comments from my fans: “We need your smile” and “Your music helps us to get through this hardship.”
Knowing that we have great tools on social media, where we can see communication among many different places. Families and friends are sharing “how you’re doing?” and that brings joy, even if you’re in the middle of a self-quarantine. So I decided to share my compositions by simply playing a piano solo concert.
Sheryl Aronson: How have you challenged yourself as an artist during this time?
Keiko Matsui: In the past, I have never stayed this many days at home. So, it is a good time to take care of myself (sleep longer every day), organizing all the suitcases, and enjoying cooking at home. In other ways, I believe that this is the time for us to reconsider how to live. We need to support each other as Global citizens on this planet. Reducing travel has made a good impact on the environment. I think from April forward I will add more tasks (to do) over my preparation for the next stage. That will be the challenge. Without having any show dates, I want to keep healthy and start being in a creating mode.
Sheryl Aronson: What has it meant to you sharing your music so personally to the audience on Facebook/Insta Live?
Keiko Matsui: My fans are the treasures of my life. Because of their support, I could have experienced by touring many different parts of the world. I have learned that my music is connecting people, and my melodies touch each soul as we experience emotion together. We have been creating a peaceful atmosphere at each concert.
Because of these experiences over many years, I have realized what my mission is in this life. So it is my expression of gratitude. I have received messages from Russia, UK, and other countries that because of the time difference, they need to tune in at midnight or very early morning. I am so thankful. We are all one on this planet, and now it is a great opportunity to feel that. Also, I’d like to give my gratitude to all the healthcare workers, Doctors on the front lines for their unconditional support and effort for human beings as they fight against the coronavirus.
Sheryl Aronson: List any upcoming online concerts, CD Releases, etc. that you want to share.
Keiko Matsui: I will be doing my first Instagram/ Facebook Live today at 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET. I received many requests ( for my compositions ) So, I’d like to try my best …it will be a very casual mini live from my living room.
Gerald Albright is an 8-time Grammy-nominated musician. Playing both sax and bass, he has been a session and touring musician since the 80s, working with everyone from Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., The Temptations, and Maurice White to Les McCann, Teena Marie, the Winans, and Whitney Houston. In 1987 he launched his solo career at the beginning of the smooth jazz format with the album Just Between Us. The saxophonist has been a core part of that genre with chart-topping albums, countless radio hits, and as a member of many all-star tours, plus leading his own band. Gerald Albright released “30” in 2018, which represented the 30 years since the release of his debut, CD, Just Between Us.
Sheryl Aronson: How has the coronavirus crisis affected you as a musician?
Gerald Albright: The virus has directly affected my workflow and my freedom! Musicians deem their workplace to be the “globe.” A big part of what we do is to travel the world, to bring joy to the masses. To go from what we normally do to the “new norm” of quarantine and social distancing is very hard to adjust to.
Sheryl Aronson: As an artist what has been your creative approach to reaching out to the public during this time of social distancing?
Gerald Albright: First and foremost, I’m checking on my family, which is first and foremost to me. After that, I have reached out to several friends and my entire social media base to check on and encourage them that we will get through this pandemic. Very shortly, I’m planning on performing free concerts from home on social media, and also participate with some of my music colleagues to creative ways to bond on social media as well.
Sheryl Aronson: How have you challenged yourself as an artist during this time?
Gerald Albright: I have challenged myself in several ways. My main focus is to create new music for my fans to enjoy. I’m also working on being a better “me,” both health-wise . . . physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Sheryl Aronson: What has it meant to you sharing your music so personally to the audience on Facebook/Insta Live?
Gerald Albright: It has meant a lot to be able to share my music on social media, not only during the current pandemic, but before its existence as well. Social media is one of the best ways to reach our audiences. I’ve been an independent artist for almost six years now, and social media has been a huge part of my efforts to get the word out about my musical efforts!
Sheryl Aronson: List any upcoming online concerts, CD Releases, etc. that you want to share.
Gerald Albright: All of my concerts can be easily found on my website at www.geraldalbright.com/tour. As for new releases, I’m currently working on a couple of solo projects at present and will make announcements regarding their releases at the appropriate time.
*Please check out the Facebook Page: Smooth Jazz Online Events (created by Marilyn Lingenfelter James) to see your favorite Smooth Jazz Artists. The link is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881085992404178/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
Listen to the original podcast COVID-19: Don’t Stop the Music
