MySpace.com - Jonathan Fritz Acoustic - New York - Acoustic / Latin / Other - www.myspace.com/jonathanfritzacoustic

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I recently learned "The" Jonathan Fritz was playing at the Bitter End. I couldn't believe the world known musician played at such small venues, (The Bitter End is a well kept secret, it always has the greatest artists there) and I hoped he would do an interview after his show. As soon as he unplugged his guitar after 3AM I approached him. He said he could spare a few minutes with me while he and his band mates packed up... this guy is not only the most talented muscian but an extremely articulate gentleman,,,the epitome of cool.

In the words of Jonathan Fritz....
On Traveling: “My understanding on life is every culture has a way of life, this is where I find my center core…and this helps me create my music.”
On Culture: “Every culture has wisdom of how to live life in a beautiful way depending on what’s available. I’m always fascinated about using that attitude in a different place. Take for example…the Caribbean; it’s laid back, if you’re late meeting someone no one notices, but here…when you come back it’s like a pin ball machine and you feel like your getting bounced around. One time I was going into the Lincoln Tunnel and this Soprano looking dude tries to cut me off but there’s no room for me to move. He gets so pissed he pulls over and comes up to me. I was in a Caribbean, mellow state and did not react. My “Caribbean choice” worked better than my “New York choice” to fight back in this situation. I believe the more places and cultures you are exposed to, the better you can communicate with everyone, the better you can react…”

On Change: “Every place has its seductions and irritations, if you stay somewhere too long; the irritations take over the seductions. If I lived here all year long, that’s how I would feel, that’s why I can’t stay here…”
On Success: “I’m good because I’m successful at networking, following leads, I’m always working. Moreover, I have the ability to make my instrument SING anywhere: England, Spain…I’m going to get a gig. I work for myself, sell my own CDs. I can hire myself and take time off. I go after it, I hit the pavement, I generate a lot and I don’t mind doing it. My audience is vast: tweens, teens, young and old…and this is what I put into creating the CDs, which for me is also a healing process. Recently, I was one of the headlines in New Mexico, I got paid really well and I wasn’t even the singer!”

On inspiration: “What I care about is the music and the inspiration; I don’t really dwell on the negative aspects of it. As an artist, I would say I don’t like to waste time. Therefore, whenever I’m traveling, I record my own stuff. Take for example, I’m delayed in Denver to Houston, during the delay I can edit or if I’m driving I can use a car lighter to do some work. Right now I’m creating music from different genres on a blues record with an acoustic slide, with two Nuevo flaminco, rock and stylisitlly void…I’m always trying to fit it with more verse chorus, point A to B, where nothing is repeated, it’s sort of like a stream of consciousness.”

On Europe: “What it is (over there) people treat musicians like royalty. They really LISTEN…to everything! Everything I said, everything I did, and they remember and really know where I was coming from. During one trip to Italy I ended up teaching so many people…they were coming into see me all the time. The European government believes art has value, I’m generalizing of course, but here it’s only considered valuable if it’s famous. Because of this the representation of the promotion of art is not good. What began with Peter Frampton in 1976 (turning point for investors who became interested in money making through music) ended with people with money who did not know, appreciate or understand good music…good music and good art can leave me high for weeks, I call it ‘lifting rooms’ and sadly the way the industry is today in the American society, many listeners will never experience this because they are not being exposed to it (good music)”


On Good Tunes: “A lot of times, I listen to what I have to learn. I don’t like to play anything that isn’t heartfelt, if something is done with beauty, grace…it’s the intent, the feeling. You come into this world alone and you leave alone, what is the connection? What did you leave behind? Good music has authority and elegance; even if it’s ugly or harsh…I live and breathe this.”

On the Creative Process: “The gods I worship are of inspiration, the challenge is if I’m not inspired, how do I inspire myself, I figure out how to create that energy on my own…that’s why people get depressed. Music and art have always been a part of that, artists are the Shamans of our period, it’s a journey. Musicians are the antennas to the cosmos. All great art is timeless but every generation has to create their own. I’ve created a fusion that no one has ever done; I’m verse in chorus…new spin on the same thing. It’s an expression of what it is to be human: happy, sad, making connections, seeing the feelings. When I play well, others see themselves, they don’t see me. Through art, a person can learn who they are…in the creative process, you don’t choose what you do by technical things but by feelings and moods. I don’t think of the cords. If I have to think about it, it’s not the same affect. Regardless of what you do whether you are a doctor or a plumber…doesn’t matter, there are always obstacles, I don’t treat them personally and let them fuck with the end product. When people realize how to do this, then can get past it (doubt), the power of positivism is my religion. I am really lucky to be working with such great people and doing what I love to do for a living.”

On Family: “I am a much centered person because of my family. I don’t have anger issues that people who aren’t free from that darkness…to get there is work and there’s work and there’s no way around it. Even if you’re talented, it’s all about hard work-there is no other way, there’s no short cut, I live and breathe this. You must learn the rules before you break them. My father is an artist, he is an exceptional painter. However, I also learned from many other places, like flamingo players…funk is tight; rock-n-roll is looser. Now when I meet brilliant people I can learn certain stylistics. For example I have a friend who recently taught me something that took him years to master and learn, he taught me so much, he had these beautiful rules.”

On Parenthood: “It was my next natural step. I love the fact that I can give to someone what I have, show him things, give him shortcuts in life…I would look at it as wisdom. As a kid I saw Steve Ray Vaughn. I started (playing) late, 15-16; however, I played music since I was five. I’ve always had the ability to pick up and experiment (sipping water). Since my son was born, I’ve become more aware of investments and I work smarter, not harder. Recently I played at Joe Kelly’s Upper Room, a radio station endorsed by Prince because he cares so much about the good music they play, this station always interviews the latest funk and it’s just a great source of promotion

The One of a Kind Richard Lee Interview (All pictures of this interview courtesy of Michael Wartell)

I've heard so much great press about the unique sounds of Richard Lee, I grabbed my pen and headed into Terra Blues (where I found out he works when he's taking a break from playing with all the famous players of the world) and humbly asked for a few minutes of his time...(above are recent pics of his band, "Stop Irrational Logic.")

So you're the hottest trumpet and flugel horn player around I hear?

I'm a member of the band Stop Irrational Logic and I also manage here (Terra Blues in the Village). I play every night...

Really? What kind of music?

My band is a combination of blues, funk...I love to party, Dead Shows...my goal is to reach the young that like to be free, I made my music for them.

What well known musicians inspire/inspired you?

Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, The Grateful Dead, Fish, Massive Attack...

When did you learn how to play?

I was about eleven, I had no talent as a kid, it was an escape for me. I was a working musician at fourteen.

Really?

I had a lot of obstacles to overcome as a musician.

What do you mean by obstacles?

Well, I was tone deaf, which makes it that much harder to learn music. I drilled the A note into my head by picking up the phone (especially pay phones, their dial tones were really loud back then), that's how I taught myself that note.

That's some determination to learn!

I believe anyone can do anything if they have the desire to do it. I'm just a Brooklyn kid who ended up writing notes for Mick Jagger...wrote the horn lines for his song, "Sweet Thing" on the "Wondering Spirit" album...I played with Squeeze, Steely Dan, Rick Derringer, The Blues Travelers, Joan Osborne, Tom Jones, it's a very big list.

Who was the most memorable?

I was the most nervous playing with McCoy Tyner, he played with Charlie Parker.

What was Mick Jagger like?

We never met, just went there and recorded for him...

What's it like being a manager at the most famous Jazz club in the city?

Amazing, as the manager, I do everything; run the club, hire, lights, sound, security, money, play some tunes...we get the best talent here.

Ever manage clubs before?

(hesitating) All the topless places; New York Dolls, Private Eyes, Flash Dancers (first topless club in New York City), before that I was a Pentecostal Minister...

You're kidding, right?

(laughing) Nope, that's where I played, got my roots: Pucho, Latin Souls Brothers (now in the Latin Hall of Fame).

Recent musical gigs?

Just did the Lake George Jazz Fest last week.

[Leaves momentarily to play on stage with the band. While he plays I'm in awe. I've never heard anything like that before, it's so unique...I can't believe how easily he just switches from manager to musician persona, how the audience just froze, (stopped talking and just listened); letting their minds, bodies and souls be taken over by the legendary sounds of the Micheal Powers Band and Micheal Lee's instruments]

That was great, you are a great collaborator!

Thank you, I give people I work with the foundation to create something together, a lot of great musicians can't do this...

Do you believe New York's where it's at?

(Pondering) Well, yes and no...wow, I'm a little jaded about New York, "to be or not to be?" it's good to be here, it's the only place there are no borders...

You're jaded?

After 911..when Bush came into office, I changed my band's name from Irrational Logic to Stop Irrational Logic...I might change it when he leaves.

If you could work with anyone?

(laughing) Charlie Parker, he's dead but if I coud play a gig-he plays sax...Charlie Parker was the first one to take the structure out of music and open jazz up to feeling and interpretation.

What makes you do what you do?

(very seriously) Life..watching people die (several of his families members succumbed to cancer in his youth), being the fat kid people made fun of...some people get angry of their difficult past, it helped me become a better person. I feel attached to the universe when I play, I want to forget time, space...we are all connected.

Was music always your first goal?

Pretty much. In college, I was into numbers, math, science...if you can create the right interval, if you can tap into the right vibration, you can create perfection...

I'm ready to learn an instrument right now, I'm very inspired with all this talk of music, playing music and being free, what a great way to live.

It is! (smiling and walking away to greet guests at the door at Terra Blues).

Come listen to this great jazz player and check out his web site for dates, shows, and other amazing info!

Up Next:"Tasty Rock'n'Roll"--Gizzo: The Tony Gizzo Interview

I recently discovered WVOX on my radio station...and I couldn't believe what I've been missing. They play all the latest heavy metal music and some of the ole. The best part of this station is they got Gizzo on there as a host! Gizzo, is his last name and his stage name and seems to also be a good way to describe his happy-go-lucky personality, he's is just so gizzo. Ladies and Gentleman, introducing G-I-Z-Z-O

What is your occupation?
Radio talk show host (Metal Mayhem) and singer for the band Gizzo.

What is Mayhem? 

It's half talk show, half music.

How do you decide on the music that gets played? 

I go around the village, find music I like and bring them on!

And for the talk show component?

We discuss music, politics...it's a three hour show, ninety minutes the guest talks, the other time is ads and music, we play some of their music.

Have you ever helped promote the newcomers?

Yes, for many of the guests on our show, it's their first exposure.

What about the ads?

It just sort of happens! (laughing in an upbeat way) The other night I was out smooshing and I got an account with the Haunt in Yonkers.

What's that?

It's on Yonkers Avenue, my band played there too, we got an ad account with them, we negotiated and they'll be promoted on the show...

Wonderful, describe the types of musicians you'll usually hear on your show.

Some of them are polished (really good), like Jack Russel..

Who?

Of Great White or Rob Helford, lead singer of Judas Priest...

That's so tragic what happened to Great White!

It was, they had to pay millions, their guitarist died it was a shame...

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite is the Radio talk and the djing...well, it's a hard toss up, I do LOVE the singing (CHECK OUT PHOTOS OF HIM SINGING AT THE BITTER END RIGHT AFTER THIS INTERVIEW).

What did you do before this?

I used to be a member of a motorcycle gang.

Really?
Yeah, you get a lot of power, it started getting to my head. I started pushing people around...I always got the go ahead from the top.

What made you leave them?

There's mandatory jail time, it's like becoming a priest at a church, you have to put the club first before everything. And you have to be paranoid...I had a wife, kid, house, etc. After awhile I just couldn't follow rule number one (put club first).

What's your station?

WVOK. We get calls from Minnesota, Florida, Rhode Island, here (NYC)...it's just incredible, the followings been really good.

When did you begin there?

They brought my band in to interview, they crashed the service they got so many hits. Within the last six months they brought me on. I was 'at the right place at the right time.'

When did you start singing?

I've been singing since 1990, had to take some time off of the bike thing because of the kids, etc.

Favorite musician?

Favorite musician? Buddy Guy, top of the list! I wish I could play like him! (laughing--he is one of the happiest guys I've ever met!) He has a stage presence, I watch him and learn from him and try to mimic the way he becomes part of the audience. I went with my wife once to Chicago just to meet him. The stars were lined up for me that night. I approached him at a table and just shook his hand! I told my wife we could go back to New York after that, just to shake his hand was all I needed to do. (sounding awestruck speaking of his idol). It was an unbelievable night!

You play an instrument?

(shaking head) No, but I can sing like a son-of a bitch, I also love Junior Wells.

Do you consider New York the Prime location for musicians?

Yes, I was in Germany recently, I sang at a fifteen hour wedding...those Germans know how to party, the liquor was flowing but after we played I began to miss it here!

Best part about New York?

You! (laughing) I like the energy. Once you cross that Westchester border, it just happens and if nothing is happening, you can make it happen with a phone call...I like the ability to be able to mold the atmosphere or you can just be transparent. That's what I like about New York...for those who go seeking (whatever it is they're looking for) you can find it here.