Vents Magazine - Interview: Freddie Bryant

We’re excited to be speaking today with acclaimed composer/guitarist and lyricist extraordinaire Freddie Bryant; greetings and salutations, Freddie! Before we mosey on down the proverbial Q&A musical pathway, how goes your 2023 thus far?

So far 2023 has been great and a continuation of the energy and flow that came after the more meditative (and creative) Covid period before. I’ve been playing, teaching and getting the music out after a long, rewarding and fun process.

Major congratulations on the upcoming July 7 double CD release of your new album Upper West Side Love Story! What was the genesis of this ambitious double album? How did it come into being?

Thank you! There were a few stages: 2019 a grant from Chamber Music America, 2020-2021 writing the lyrics and music during the Covid quarantine, 2021-2022 rehearsing and premiering the music in concerts in the Northeast, finishing the studio recording and 2023 finally releasing the music to the world!

In terms of the idea and concept the impetus came from being forced out of our family apartment we lived in for 54 years. It was a struggle that got me thinking about my life, family, friends, upbringing, playgrounds, music and then also the bigger picture of the history and culture of the neighborhood and how it has changed over the years.

For me the creative process in music, with lyrics and without, always comes from feelings and emotion and this project had so much to inspire me. I started with the words and three months later after the lyrics were finished came the music – that took a year. I let it grow organically and in the end it took shape in a 16 song suite in two parts – a double CD with 92 minutes of music, like a show, musical or mini-opera. What I’m really happy about is that it works as individual songs in any order and it can also take you through an engaging story from start to finish.

Can you introduce to our ever-inquisitive readers some of the mighty talented musicians that lent their alchemy to make Upper West Side Love Story into a reality?

It’s an all-star cast and I’m honored to have these great artists who are also good friends join me. Their sounds and music have inspired me over the years but this is the first time all nine of us have come together.

The piece is 95% vocal and Grammy nominated Carla Cook gives a powerful, deep and expansive performance – from poetic, sensitive and childlike to dramatic, gripping and impassioned. Her range goes from a low baritone-like alto to a soaring soprano. Every song hinges on her singing and storytelling.

The group’s sound also is defined by a string trio led by the 2023 NEA Jazz Master Regina Carter on violin. She’s an amazing soloist and virtuoso. She’s joined by Gwen Laster (viola) and Akua Dixon (cello). They give a warm and full sound of strings expanding the jazz format of horns and rhythm section.

The horn section is like a dream duo of band leaders who are also consummate sidemen. Steve Wilson has played with Chick Corea and many more. Donny McCaslin you may know from his collaborations with David Bowie on his Grammy winning Blackstar. 

And the rhythm section with John Benitez (bass) and Alvester Garnett (drums) adds so much fire and groove to the music. The rhythms and influences are wide ranging and challenging but they make it all sound authentic, real and infectious from jazz swing and blues to Cuban son, changüí and bembé, from samba to reggae to Coltrane inspired jams and ballads.

Read the complete interview at ventsmagazine.com.