DAVE WILLIAMS MAKES A PARADIGM SHIFT!
DAVE WILLIAMS was born in Chicago Heights but grew up in Long Beach, California. Dave has been involved in music since the ripe old age of 9 years old! He’s the only musician in his family but not the only artist, his mother is a painter. “I pretty much always wanted to be a musician” says Dave. He’s a Jazz trumpeter, Hip Hop Artist/Producer and founder of MajicBulletTheory, a jazz/funk/hip hop collective based in Long beach. Dave also leads the Dave Williams Group that specializes in fresh takes on jazz standards as well as his own original compositions.
Dave, thank you for participating in this project and for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us by answering the following questions.
No. 1) What is music to and for you? (generally and personally)
Music is is Life. Music is how I express my true feelings. Music drives me and keeps me alive. Music is everything I am, it’s my Faith…
No. 2) What inspires you? 
Anything can inspire me, it’s not one specific thing. Someone could piss me off, or make me happy…It might be cold one day, or I might have a full stomach. I write songs, and name them after the women they sound like…I write about situations (I’m talking instrumentals and rap/song lyrics)
No. 3) When you are creating, playing, where does it take you? Where does your mind (spirit) travel?
I think of how John Coltrane was trying to reach a higher state of consciousness–I’m not sure if my goals are that lofty. To make it simple, I’m trying to FEEL GOOD. A real ecstasy, not some artificial thing…I try to close my eyes, and let all the different ways I can approach a lick, come across…I want to be one with something, and apart and above it at the same time….
No. 4) Do you think music, visual art and health are related and if so, how?
Yes, to everything. I often describe Music visually, taste colors, feel sound. My mother is a painter, so I think of making music (especially when I’m improvising Jazz) as Painting. And, I got hip to the health factor a little while ago…You play something ugly, it affects you physically…Now, everybody can’t do/play some silly Pop shit, or some happy-nappy nonsense, to make everyone ‘feel’ good, but, it’s great when a musician can reach a point to where that’s the vibe being put out…
No. 5) How do you feel when you are playing for yourself versus performing for an audience?
I have several thoughts about that. Some musicians thing it’s ‘wrong’ to play for yourself. Still others think that there’s no point if you don’t. I fall somewhere in between. Quite frankly, some people wanna hear some bullshit, or something that reminds them of High School, or the first time they got laid. I’m not here for that. I don’t want a dollar, to split with my 7 piece band, just cause some drunk guy wants to hear ‘Hotel California’ Not to say that you alienate an audience by playing something esoteric and grating. I try to find some happy medium. For example, I did a whole album of covers–Pop tunes (Bob Marley, Prince, Lenon, Jobim), but, tunes I LIKED. Many people like Christmas Tunes, but, I don’t. So, I don’t play them….
No. 6) Under what conditions or circumstances do you do your best work?
I do my best work UNENCUMBERED. I don’t like to be bothered by people requesting stupid songs (I don’t take requests, unless: 1) I know you. 2) I know the song. 3) You’re my employer 🙂 )
I’m not trying to be snobbish or mean, I just prefer to play my Book, and not some silly song somebody thinks is “Jazz”. Even worse, is when people request some SUPER drivel, most folks being neophytes when it comes to Jazz music. Some even think I’m just JAMMING.
Generally, I like to be relaxed and casual. My concern is that we play well, not to make sure I’m smiling and the ladies can see my outfit. We play a serious, demanding music (even when the song is a ‘happy’ tune, we’re deeply into it), and I don’t like to be pressured or distracted, or treated like a machine that can be turned up, down or OFF.
No. 7) Do you identify with your music and if so, on what level?
My music is me, a direct reflection of who I am, so I identify with it on all levels–spiritual, my body, and my mind.
No. 8) Do you find music, playing music helps you connect with your higher self, whatever that is for you?
Yes. I’d be lost without it. I can’t imagine being a Plumber, or working at the Post Office, and being content. In fact, a good friend once pointed out that us being ‘artists’ sometimes gives us a bit of arrogance, like we’re ‘better’ than others, because we ‘create’…I’ve been on that kick myself, but, that’s the way you can end up feeling, if you feel you’re doing something really special. I make people Happy. That’s a tough gig! And, I feel in touch with something, that the average person can’t feel, or doesn’t think is real anyway…
No. 9) How do you feel about creativity in the public school
systems?
They don’t encourage it enough to my taste. For example, when you start out, you learn European Music–Bach, Mozart, etc. Which is fine, the ‘fundamentals’, as it’s called. But, I didn’t get any non-European studies, like Jazz or whatnot, until High School. Then, you have sports, girls and parties–maybe, that separates the serious from the hobbiests, I guess. But, Improvisation is a stab at Spontaneous Creativity, and that’s been discouraged in European Music since the late 18th Century… It’s the SAME every year, noting innovative about it–they teach it just like they did 50 or 75 years ago… And, it can be corny and uninteresting. Creativity is NOT playing the works of Dead Guys over and over again. If anything, learning to WRITE music should be introduced earlier. You don’t learn that in Public School.
No. 10) In your opinion, what could be a simple solution to improve creativity in the public school systems?
Encourage it!
No. 11) How do you feel about improvisation in music?
I’m a Jazz musician, I don’t think it happens ENOUGH outside of Jazz.
No. 12) What is jazz to you?
Jazz is the Music of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington…of Miles Davis and John Coltrane…it was born out of African Rhythm and European Harmony, and is an American born artform. Jazz keeps progressing, it doesn’t keep whipping dead horses, and treading the same ground. At least, MY Jazz doesn’t. Some other cat may say I’m NOT a Jazz musician, until they get cut on stage with my horn!
Dave, again I want to thank you for participating in this project. I wish you the best in all your endeavours and until our paths cross again, be blessed!
TO THE READER :
Latest release: PARADIGM SHIFT !
You are invited to visit Dave Williams’ links below to hear more of his music and get to know him as well. Your comments are always very much appreciated. Thank you and enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/crackyoback
http://www.myspace.com/themajicbullettheory
http://www.youtube.com/crackyoback
http://mbtmusic.bandcamp.com/album/sparky-smiles
http://mbtmusic.bandcamp.com/album/digitaletric-bidness-card
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2qmn8nWWzo
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Comments
To have been able to see Dave and MBT perform live has been a true blessing. His playing truly reflects the depths of his soul and to close your eyes and listen the the progression of the full band is about as close to a spiritual experience as I have had… Sorry if that’s a bit too much, but it’s just being real… MBT world tour!!!
.-= TheTruth´s last blog ..Manny Buenaventura stoked to be djing for the international condom day event at bixby park on the 13th! =-.
Enjoyed listening to you music and reading your frank, direct to the point style of expressing your thoughts. Great article..
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