If you’re looking for a musically challenging and rewarding jazz album than make sure you get a copy of Robert Mitchell’s Panacea sophomore album Trust. You can, er, trust me with my recommendation (as always of course *grin*).
In the jazz-not-jazz interview Robert talks about his influences, how he met Deborah Jordan, how he hooked up with Norma Winstone for If These Walls Could Talk and he reveals his inspiration of the song Cotopaxi.
Q: Please tell me something about your musical influences. What was the spark for you to pursue a career as musician?
Robert Mitchell: My influences consist of anyone who has a marked effect on me. Oscar Peterson, Cecil Taylor, Gerri Allen, Rachmaninov (both composing, and performing), Mcoy Tyner, Marilyn Crispell, Norma Winstone, Greg Osby, Steve Coleman, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Vladimir Horovitz, Scarlatti, Handel, Anthony Braxton, Aka Moon, Mark and Mike Mondesir, Courtney Pine, Rzewski, Sorabji.Squarepusher, IG Culture, Autechre, Annette Peacock, Anita Baker, Chucho Valdez, Keith Tippet, Jason Rebello, Herbie H (esp. electric), Magik Malik, Arve Henriksen, Keith Jarret, Don Pullen, Bheki Mseleku, Cassandra Wilson, Betty Carter, Rachelle Ferrelle, Butch Morris, and too many others but also of course all the longer term bands I have been in - Quite Sane, Jlife, Keith Waithe, Ntoumos, Tomorrow’s Warriors etc.
My spark was a mixture of many fuels! My family was musical (father sang profesionally - and my first teacher - classical piano - is still going at 92 years of age!), I heard Oscar Peterson on the radio at a time when it suddenly made sense, discovering my fathers lyrics and thinking i could write a great song! Being involved in some bands before I left university really did come in usefull - esp. a mini tour in 1992 with Greg Osby. My eyes have been wide open - stunned with the effects music can have on people - ever since.
Q: Where do you see your progress as musician from your start to your days with Quite Sane, Tomorrow’s Warrior or J-Life to you Panacea project.
Robert Mitchell: Well - hopefully it is precisely that - a progression! Every group I have been in has revealed moments of joy, struggle and an enduring adherence to improve on all fronts. It is allied personally to a wish to completely be at one with my creativity and my instrument - and to be as singular as my fingerprints in that realisation! These same things will in turn influence the future projects soon to be represented in performance and on CD - duo with Cuban violinist Omar Puente, plus a solo piano suite - Equinox, and a couple of special things I wont go into yet !
>>>continue