SCENE SCRIBE
By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com
Malone uses jazz guitar to make music that feels, sounds good
Though a few things have changed since jazz guitarist Russell Malone last played in Des Moines about 20 years ago as a member of Harry Connick Jr.’s band, some things remain the same.
Over the years, the 46-year-old Malone has parlayed his experiences as a sideman working with the likes of Connick, Jimmy Smith and Diana Krall to become a respected solo artist in his own right, having released a handful of albums. But his travels with some of the biggest names in jazz have taught him that no matter where he is in the world, audiences respond to a beat.
“I’ve learned that if you give people something that feels good and sounds good, you got ’em,” Malone said. “If it’s got a groove and makes them tap their feet or move their body, you’ve got ’em.”
The Georgia native learned at an early age the value of groove and feeling while singing in church where the instrumentation included drums, tambourines and a washboard with a coat hanger. By the age of 5, Malone was strumming a toy guitar. At age 10, he was developing an interest in country and blues, listening to Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash and B.B. King.
Ultimately, though, it was jazz that became his calling. Malone, who was a featured performer in Robert Altman’s 1996 movie “Kansas City,” cites Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and George Benson among those who have inspired him the most.
“It seemed to be on a different level than any other music I was hearing at the time. Not that it was necessarily better. I don’t want to come off as a snob,” Malone said. “The thing that made me want to play jazz is it took a certain level of discipline to play it and a certain level of musicianship… the tunes, the harmonies, the virtuosity, the feeling and the soul.”
Malone, a self-taught guitarist fluent in swing, Bebop and contemporary jazz, would hone his chops working with several big-name artists. His first significant gig came at the age of 25 when he joined jazz organist Jimmy Smith’s band in 1988. Afterwards, he went on to perform with other veteran players like Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Claude Fiddler Williams, Bucky Pizzarelli, Clarence Carter, Little Anthony, Freddie Cole, Mulgrew Miller and Roy Hargrove, as well as Connick and Krall. Malone said he learned a lot from them, including how to pace a set of music and build a show.
“I’ve had the good fortune of having worked with some of the giants in the music,” Malone said. “They instilled in me the importance of knowing songs and how to communicate with the audience. There are a lot of guys who play very well, but they’re lackluster live because they don’t know how to perform. You can have all the artistry in the world, but let’s face it; we’re in show business. You have to make the audience feel like they’re a part of what’s happening.”
What’s happening these days with Malone is indicative of the kind of wide-ranging music he performs, from the melodic to the progressive. Last week, Malone spent two days in the studio recording an entire album’s worth of material for the first time with his trio. Then he was slated to perform with a side project called Golden Striker Trio (led by bassist Ron Carter) before leaving for Des Moines to perform with his quartet. Ten days after his show at Drake University, Malone joins the Monterey Jazz Festival Tour from February through May.
“Coming up in Georgia all the old guys said there’s nothing wrong with being versatile,” Malone said. “Play it all. Embrace it all.”
And when it comes to performing live, hold close the audience.
“People can expect a good time,” Malone said when he comes to town. “You’ll see four guys on the bandstand that love this music and try to make sure you guys walk away feeling good.” CV
Caption: The Russell Malone Quartet performs Saturday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. at Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium as part of the Civic Music Association’s 85th anniversary season. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for students through IowaTix or by calling 280-4020.
