Richie Love is The Saxiest Man Alive
1 In Music talked to The Saxiest Man Alive before in our standard exclusive interview with Richie Love. But it was obvious then that there was so much more to this amazing musician which is why we had to have him again. And thankfully for 1 In Music, Richie Love, the Saxiest Man Alive, was up for the in-depth audio interview we reserved for the artist. Tiki Black met the saxophonist for a “double-take” where virtually the same questions are asked on paper and verbally. The double-take is a way to get an artist to directly answer the actual question (which happens when they have it on paper) and to allow them to wander off as they wish, in order to take us on an exciting and impromptu journey into their lives. This creates 2 interviews from virtually the same questions, with the audio interview allowing the artist to “improvise”. Listen to the interview while watching the video montage of this artist’s incredible lifetrack and check the “paper” version of the interview at the end.
The audio interview and its video montage
Connecting the Past to the Present
I always consciously and unconsciously include and am engulfed by the influences of the Greats. They are a Part of me. I consciously include them to make sure I pay tribute. Their struggles, contributions and fingerprints they left on so many lives should Never be forgotten or overlooked.
Q: Your musical lineage is impressive. How did growing up surrounded by such an accomplished musician as your father and presumably at one point or another by the people he played with, shape your own musical approach and your choice of instrument?
Richie Love, The Saxiest Man Alive [TSMA]: Well my instrument choice was undoubtedly influenced partially unconsciously because of my father and being I was so young when I started. My earliest memory of him performing, I was probably 5 years old. But as I always iterate, I was around Johnny Otis a lot growing up and his influence was immense. Seeing and being around Motown artists was enormous and phenomenal. These events shaped the rest of my life.
Q: Many Jazz artists revere the masters who came before them. Are there specific players from previous generations whose influence you feel most acutely in your own playing beyond your father?
TSMA: Actually there is quite a list. Clifford Solomon, Hank Crawford, Charlie Parker Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Lester Young, James Moody, Louis Jordan, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Lee Morgan, McCoy Tyner and On and On..
Q: How do you balance honouring the traditions of jazz with forging your own unique musical voice?
TSMA: I always consciously and unconsciously include and am engulfed by the influences of the Greats. They are a Part of me. I consciously include them to make sure I pay tribute. Their struggles, contributions and fingerprints they left on so many lives should Never be forgotten or overlooked.
Collaboration and Innovation
Q: The spirit of improvisation is central to jazz. Can you tell us about a particularly memorable collaboration where the music took you and your fellow musicians to unexpected places?
Richie Love, The Saxiest Man Alive [TSMA]: As a Jazz artist we are always striving to push the boundaries within ourselves and our instruments. So there’s a few shows I remember reaching plateaus while improvising. One of them that stands out is a show in Carson Ca. a group I’d assembled that included the great Wali Ali on Guitar and my mentor Stemsy Hunter. We struck up a nice tune/groove and began our solos. When I stepped up, I was really feeling the music and I burned through the changes, I heard Stemsy holler “Yeah, Yeah, That’s It” Not only was I hearing myself, as I lit up that space in real time, almost like I’d never done before but hearing Stemsy verify it Took my confidence to new levels. My next practice sessions, that night was in the forefront of my brain and gave me a new energy, focus and approach.
Q: The jazz scene is constantly evolving. Are there any contemporary trends or movements in jazz that particularly excite you? How might these influences be reflected in your future work?
TSMA: I am happy that Rap/Hiphop artists are incorporating real music and musicians in their music. Before it was done with DJ’s and Sampling. Now there’s actual musicians. One of my protoje’s Terrace Martin, is part of that movement. I continue to push this practice and have been since I started producing and mentoring Rap Artist in the 80’s in Los Angeles.
Q: Beyond jazz, are there any other musical genres that inspire you or that you’d like to explore through your own work?
TSMA: Pretty much All good music inspires me. I can be inspired by even one sound, like a chime or a bell, it can spark a whole idea. I think from a young age I’ve been in tune with sounds. Birds, water and the sounds of the earth. Which can be very inspirational to some composers. Being African american it is in our blood, from our roots in the Motherland. Then when you add an acoustic instrument, a guitar, Kalimba, congo, piano and so on, the layers become arkestral.
Personal Growth and the Creative Process
Have Fun with your music, it’s important too
Q: What does your practice routine look like? How do you maintain a balance between technical mastery and creative exploration?
Richie Love, The Saxiest Man Alive [TSMA]: I always try to split my practices up, between the two. Technical/Reading Exploration/Improvisation and what I always stress to my students, “Have Fun with your music, it’s important too.”
Q: As a musician, how do you approach overcoming creative roadblocks? Where do you find inspiration when the well seems to run dry?
TSMA: Roadblocks are weird, composing and/or playing. I have learned sometimes you just have to walk away for a few days. You can’t make it happen. Natural is better.
Q: Looking back on your career, what has been the most significant moment of growth or artistic breakthrough for you as a jazz musician?
TSMA: An amazing musician and great friend/brother of mine, Bassist Norman Johnson gave me my latest Growth and Breakthrough in theory a couple years ago. He gave me some theory exercises to work on that he said will change my way of thinking and That it Did. He specifically prescribed this exercise for me. Every since, I’ve continued to grow everytime I pick up a woodwind instrument or sit in front of a piano. But before that I found the more I practised naturally the more I understood and the better I sounded. My lifelong mentors Bobby Griffo aka Shbaka and Stemsy Hunter continue to constantly uplift my consciousness as well.
What is next for the Saxiest Man Alive?
I Hope to never retire as my father did not.
Q: Your achievements are truly impressive. Do you feel sometimes like you have done your part and you are about to retire or is every achievement a motivation to go further, deeper, and better?
Richie Love, The Saxiest Man Alive [TSMA]: Every achievement inspires, uplifts and motivates me to continue my journey and hopefully I inspire others. Young musicians are always on my radar. I Hope to never retire as my father did not. He played and performed better at 80 than he almost ever did. I saw him practising more and more as he aged and you could hear it in his performances. It was inspiring. He performed until he just could not. Being signed by the MRDG Record Label recently has definitely been another great inspiration.
Q: What is your next musical project and what can we expect in terms of creative explorations and/or collaborations?
TSMA: I’m always exploring musically. Always travelling between genres, always looking for a sound, a feeling and another unsung artist to introduce and/or inspire. I have a lot of unreleased music that I want to release, so my projects list are endless. There are several phenomenal artists I’m interested in working with also, to add to this list. Finishing my new CD, coming in 2025 is first in line up.