By ALLEN HUOTARI, Published: January 22, 2007
from An AAJ Interview with Mario Pavone: on Thomas Chapin ...
AAJ: How did you come to meet Thomas Chapin?
MP: In the summer of 1980—a friend suggested that I attend a concert at Bushnell Park in Hartford, CT—To hear this remarkable saxophonist. (The concert was a tribute to Charles Mingus and was directed and conducted by former Mingus sideman—Saxophonist Paul Jeffreys) the band was filled with notables such as Junior Cook, Ray Copeland, Bill Hardman, Joseph Celli, Kenny Barron, etc. It was an exciting concert—but the level was jacked up several notches every time Thomas stood up to solo—it really knocked me out! I met him after the concert—we became friends—and began an 18-year musical relationship—where we played in each other's groups and exchanged ideas and concepts.
AAJ: What have you learned from working with Thomas Chapin that you believe has made (or will continue to make) the most impact upon your musical philosophy?
MP: Thomas was a consummate professional—a stern task master—a virtuoso saxophonist and flautist—who always pushed himself and the group further—adding new challenges. He possessed a huge spirit. During the 80's & 90's we evolved along similar paths—sharing and exchanging concepts. His defining group—the trio—(with drummer Michael Sarin and myself) existed from 1990 to 1997, we had a great ride. I always thought he wrote big band music for trio (He was musical director of the Lionel Hampton Orchestra in the 1980's). He could play in or out with great command of the languages of each genre.
All of this has had a large impact on my music—and I still play several of his compositions in my trio performances.
AAJ: What musicians that you have never worked with before would you like to work with?
MP: Joe Lovano, Jason Moran, Ellery Eskelin, and Ornette.
AAJ: Although this next question is like asking a father to name his favorite child, which recording(s) would you most recommend to someone unacquainted with your work? Why?
MP: I would recommend Song for (Septet) (New World/Counter Currents, 1995) as a good starting place for someone unacquainted with my work. The brilliant arrangements by Marty Ehrlich and the late Thomas Chapin, as well as the instrumentation (vibes, clarinet, flutes) offer a rich pallet of attractive colors and textures. It's a very singing cd.
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AAJ: What's the funniest or most embarrassing thing that's happened to you while performing or recording?
MP: Well, while I was touring with the Thomas Chapin Trio in 1992—and had to leave the tour bus—pick-up my own car—drive to NYC to sign a recording contract and then hook up with the tour in another city—I was late and drove for hours—got to the gig and noticed I had a flat tire—I played the set and went out and changed the tire. After the second set the trio (with Mike Sarin) came outside went to my parked car and as we approached it I exclaimed ""My God—I have another flat tire!""—well, it turned out that in my rushing I had changed the wrong tire—a perfectly good one—it was a good laugh for all of us—and shortly thereafter Thomas wrote a new composition—entitled ""Changes 2 Tires."" (which appears on a Thomas Chapin cd called ""Sky Piece."" (Knitting Factory))
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AAJ: Thank you, good sir, for spending time with All About Jazz.
MP: In closing, I would like to add an acknowledgment and thanks to those artists who, so generously, passed on to me their gift for creativity: Paul Bley, Bill Dixon, Anthony Braxton, Leo Smith, Dewey Redman, Marty Ehrlich, and of course the late Thomas Chapin...among many others. Thank you.
For the entire interview, go to: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=24493&pg=4
Mario Pavone Selected Discography
as leader Digit (Alacra, 1979) Shodo (Alacra, 1981) Sharpeville (Alacra, 1988; reissued Playscape, 2000) Toulon Days (New World/Countercurrents, 1992) Song for (Septet) (New World/Countercurrents, 1995) Dancer's Tales (Knitting Factory, 1997) Remembering Thomas (Knitting Factory, 1999) Totem Blues (Knitting Factory, 2001) Mythos (Playscape, 2002)
as co-leader with Michael Musillami Op-Ed (Playscape, 2000) Motion Poetry (Playscape, 2001) Pivot (Playscape, 2002)
as co-leader with Anthony Braxton Nine Duets (Music and Arts, 1993) Seven Standards (Knitting Factory, 1994)
with Thomas Chapin Third Force (Knitting Factory, 1990) Insomnia (Knitting Factory, 1991) Anima (Knitting Factory, 1992) Menagerie Dreams (Knitting Factory, 1994) Haywire (Knitting Factory, 1996) Sky Piece (Knitting Factory, 1998) Nightbird Song (Knitting Factory, 1999) Alive (8 cd set) (Knitting Factory, 1999) note: this set is the 7 cds listed above plus one live cd, titled ""Live on Tour!"" at UC Davis, '95
with Bill Dixon November 1981 (Soul Note, 1981) Thoughts (Soul Note, 1985) Son of Sisyphus (Soul Note, 1988)
with Paul Bley Canada (Radio Canada, 1968)
with Paul Bley and Annette Peacock Dual Unity (Tokuma, 1971)
with Michael Pavone Trio (Playscape, 2001)
with Creative Improvisers Orchestra The Sky Cries the Blues (CMIF, 1982)
with Samm Bennett Knitting Factory Tours Europe 1991 (Knitting Factory, 1991)
with Vernon Frazer Sex Queen of the Berlin Turnpike (Woodcrest, 1988)
with Motation Live At Hillside (Alacra, 1988)
with Don Rose Close Opposites (Alacra, 1979)"