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Take Five With Skip Heller
Grew up in Philly, enticed by all kinds of improvised music—jazz, bluegrass, blues, rockabilly. Played with Yma Sumac, Phil Alvin, Les Baxter, Wanda Jackson, DJ Bonbrake, Cannibal and the Headhunters, NRBQ, Karen Mantler... get the idea?
Instrument(s):
Guitar.
Teachers and/or influences?
Mose Allison
piano and vocals1927 - 2016
Bill Evans
piano1929 - 1980
John Hartford
banjo1937 - 2001
Hank Jones
piano1918 - 2010
The Beatles
band / ensemble / orchestra
Ahmad Jamal
piano1930 - 2023
Johnny Mercer
composer / conductor1909 - 1976
Bing Crosby
vocals1903 - 1977
Jack Teagarden
trombone1905 - 1964
Uri Caine
pianob.1956
I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
I saw John Hartford on The Smothers Brothers TV show.
Your sound and approach to music:
American roots music with its emphasis on both good songs and good improvising.
Your teaching approach:
Make things really, really clear. No problem is insurmountable when you can see things by their components. Teach process, not the end result.
Your dream band:
My dream band was NRBQ when Tom and Joey were the rhythm section. I got to be in the band for some shows in 2001. Dream accomplished.
Road story: Your best or worst experience:
Best: playing duos with
Bob Dorough
vocals1923 - 2018
Karen Mantler
pianob.1850
Carla Bley
piano1938 - 2023
Favorite venue:
The Flying Monkey in Huntsville, AL. Great sound, sightlines, amazing staff, great food nearby.
Your favorite recording in your discography and why?
Foolish Me, because it reflects my tastes best, and because the recording has a nice lean, spontaneous feel. Or The Night's Not Yet Over, which is a duo recording with pianist Heath Allen, because we played to each other in such an enjoyable way. His warmth is incredible.
The first Jazz album I bought was:
Coleman Hawkins
saxophone, tenor1904 - 1969
What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?
Any musician who is expressing what he knows, who he is, and what he means—that's really good.
Did you know...
I love English trad jazz and skiffle.
CDs you are listening to now:
Various, This May Be My Last Time Singing: Raw African-American Gospel On 45 rpm 1957-82 (Tompkins Square);
Nick Lowe, The Old Magic (Yep Roc);
Uri Caine Trio, Siren (Winter and Winter);
Jack Teagarden, Think Well Of Me (Verve).
Desert Island picks:
Louis Amerstrong/Duke Ellington, The Great Summit (Roulette);
John Hartford, Aereo Plain (Warner Bros);
Bill Evans Trio, Explorations (Riverside);
Roger Miller, Golden Hits (Smash);
Merle Haggard, Same Train, Different Time (Capitol).
How would you describe the state of jazz today?
It's in flux, but it's always moving in new ways. Too much emphasis on free and electronic elements for me.
What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?
Musicians staying curious about the past while not being defined by it.
What is in the near future?
More gigs, more recording.
If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
steamboat pilot.
Photo Credit
Courtesy of
Skip Heller
guitar, electricb.1965
Tags
Skip Heller
Take Five With...
United States
Mose Allison
Bill Evans
John Hartford
Hank Jones
The Beatles
Ahmad Jamal
Johnny Mercer
Bing Crosby
Jack Teagarden
Uri Caine
Bob Dorough
Karen Mantler
carla bley
Coleman Hawkins
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