Edmonds-Woodway High School senior Brandt Fisher is our first guest student DJ of 2017. He shares his hour of favorite jazz with Abe Beeson Thursday, January 5 from 8 to 9 p.m.
Age: 18
Which instrument do you play and why?
I play the saxophone because it's the instrument that represents my voice as a musician. At first, I picked it up based on a factor of "coolness," but I find it to be just the right vehicle for expressing myself and continue to play it for that reason.
What’s your all-time favorite jazz piece?
The albums "Kind of Blue" and "A Love Supreme" are certainly some of my favorite compositions in jazz, solely because of their depth on a musical and spiritual level. I could never pick a single song as my "favorite piece," because that selection would depend on what mood I'm in or thinking about in a particular day. Some days I'd vibe with Bill Evans, and other days I'd vibe with Oscar Peterson.
Who is your jazz hero?
It would have to be Bill Evans for his depth and ability to invoke emotion, Miles for his attitude, Parker for his mastery, and Coltrane for his honesty.
Why jazz?
Jazz is an attitude, an emotion, and a truth. I love playing jazz because it is a very honest style of music, where musicians and people can express themselves and the world to the highest degree they can. Jazz is a feeling you get from a recording, and the best jazz can make me feel a certain way that is unparalleled to other art forms. I can't see a reason not to play it.
Brandt's playlist for January 5, 2017:
Bill Evans,"Jade Visions"-- Sunday at the Village Vanguard
Kenny Garrett, "November 15"--Songbook
Miles Davis, "Milestones"--Miles in Europe
Charlie Parker, "Just Friends"--Charlie Parker With Strings
Erroll Garner, "Night and Day"--The Complete Concert By the Sea
Cannonball Adderley, "Limehouse Blues"--Quintet in Chicago
Joe Lovano, "Ballad for Trane"--Tones, Shapes and Colors
Bill Evans, "I Loves You Porgy"--At the Montreux Jazz Festival
