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Airborne Jazz Interviews |
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Smoothjazz.com - Interview How long has the band been playing together? The band was formed in
1988. This year 2008 we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary. Wow! 20
years…my, my, my, when did those years go by? The band has even survived
all the ups and downs of being musicians. I can honestly say Would you please share a few highlights from the years together? We love the process of
each new recording project and release. The intervention of ideas, the
collaboration of Recording and producing for other artists in genres as Gospel, Jazz, and R&B. To perform at jazz
festivals, concerts, and clubs with different jazz artists and groups. To
share words, thoughts, Where is the band based and how does your location factor into your music? We are from New Haven,
CT, USA. Tri-State Area - Urban based. I guess you can call us city
dwellers. There is a magic We also have a passion
for the music of the Caribbean. When someone asks what kind of music we do
we tell them contemporary jazz with an island passion and urban emotion.
Picture the band performing jazz on a street corner You refer to yourselves as a "multi-cultural" jazz band... how come? Our hometown of New
Haven is very rich in ethic and cultural diversity. Each member is unique
and brings these Can you give us an idea of how deep the band's commitment is to the recording arts and education? We do support the Arts.
We are on the New England Foundation for the Arts and the CT Commission on
the Arts This program instills a
positive attitude and direction towards musical and social growth. The no
limits approach Jazz Education is very
vital for our newer generations. Teaching thoughts of imagination,
personal expression, and Your latest CD is called TURBULENCE... What's the story there? Our world is
overwhelming… filled with physical, emotional, political, and economical
distress, disaster, and confusion. The message we want to
convey is that we can all make a difference in this world of need. If we
try to help, support, Artist
Interview by:
Susan Frances – Jazz Review Airborne --Authentically Multi-Cultured – Musical Peacemakers The six-man and one-woman contemporary
jazz/world music ensemble Airborne, who call the heart of New Haven,
Connecticut their home, are setting course for a tour in support of their
latest release Turbulence from Tilt Records. Core members Thomas Borino on piano,
Greg Borino on guitars, and Thomas Sansone on saxophone expanded The band is excited about coming into
their 20th year together in 2008, still feeling good about their
enterprising sound Jazzreview: What was the recording process like for Turbulence? Airborne:
The recording process usually starts with a composition and arrangement
that is written by either Jazzreview: How did the song “Drums Of Peace” from Turbulence come together? Airborne: Thomas Sansone wrote and played that haunting melodic saxophone on this interesting music piece. The chants in ‘Drums Of Peace’ are actually from a few African dialects. The chants proclaim ‘Listen to the drums of peace,’ ‘Awake the peace,’ and ‘Peace of the World.’ Authentic African drums and rhythms beat to the cry of that continent. Jazzreview: How was the arrangement for the track “Can’t Fight Love” decided? Airborne: Thomas Borino wrote, arranged and sang on this funky duet with Elizabeth Dellinger. Our R&B roots from childhood come out in this tune. We grew up listening to soul and Motown as well as jazz. The band is blessed with vocal abilities both male and female. This crosses us over to non-jazz lovers, especially in a live venue where a classic R&B tune can put a place on fire. Jazzreview: How did you meet Lady Elizabeth Dellinger and how did she become a member of Airborne? Airborne:
Elizabeth was a close friend of
guitarist Greg Borino. They performed and co-wrote together in various
situations for over 15 years. She became an official member during the
recording of the Heavy Vibes CD in 2004. But she did Jazzreview: Does the band use any music technology for the recordings? Airborne: In the studio, we use Steinberg products. They are great programs and offer much to enhance the music. All the music on Turbulence is actually played. Jazzreview: Why did Airborne decide to go with a big band sound for the song “Hillside Swing”? Airborne: ‘Hillside Swing’ was a challenge and it took a lot of tracks, time and listening. But we are all very happy with the result. Jazzreview: What are some of the themes of the songs on Turbulence? Airborne:
Our world is overwhelmingly filled with physical, emotional, political and
economical distress, disaster, and confusion. That you can say is
turbulence. We are not saying that music is a solution. The answers are
found in our society, Jazzreview: What was the impetus for making Turbulence? Airborne:
Turbulence is one of those projects where everything just lined up
and worked. There was a special enthusiasm Jazzreview: How is Turbulence different from Airborne‘s previous albums? Airborne:
Our first 3 CD’s were mostly instrumental. The Heavy Vibes and
Turbulence added our percussionist and Jazzreview: Why does the band gravitate to Island and Latin accents in your music? Airborne:
We are from New Haven, Connecticut, USA, Tri-State Area, urban based. I
guess you can call us city dwellers. There is a magic in the city that
absorbs many musical art forms. The sounds of the city are cool but hot.
Influences of jazz, R&B, Latin, and blues are all around you, capturing
your inner emotions. We also have a passion for the music of the
Caribbean. When someone asks what kind of music we do, we tell them
contemporary jazz with an island passion and Jazzreview: When did the band members first come together? Airborne:
The band was formed in 1988. This year 2008, we will be celebrating our
20th Anniversary. The band has survived all the ups and downs of
being musicians. I can honestly say that the years have been very
rewarding to us. To live Jazzreview: What was it like growing up in New Haven, Connecticut? Airborne: Our hometown of New Haven is very rich in ethic and cultural diversity. Each member is unique and brings these diversities and backgrounds to create the jazz sound. Airborne has been praised as being a living spirit of musical brotherhood. Jazzreview: What was Airborne’s first rehearsal like? Airborne: Even in the early years of the band, there was a real commitment to create good jazz music. Many comments of the band were that no one ever stood in the background. Each musician contributed to the sound of the band. An Airborne performance always showcases the talents of all the musicians but still keeps the integrity of the composition. That was always present even in the early years. Jazzreview: When was Airborne’s first show and what was it like? Airborne:
1990, in our hometown of New Haven at the legendary Toads Place. We
performed with Tower Of Power. Jazzreview: What was the band‘s musical direction in those early days? Airborne: The jazz band started with both originals and classic R&B tunes. Even from the beginning, the band’s sound has been jazz with Latin and R&B flavor. I think the first tunes we recorded were ‘Rips Café’, ‘No Restrictions’, and ‘Passion’. Jazzreview: Who came up with the name of the band and why did it fit? Airborne: Greg Borino came up with the name. Airborne describes something in flight and constant movement. Jazzreview: What keeps the members motivated to stay in the band? Airborne: We love the process of each new recording project and release. The intervention of ideas, the collaborations of musicians creating the jazz sound that is Airborne today. Bringing life and love to each new composition. Keeping faith and watching the growth in the band’s material and popularity. Jazzreview: How have the band members changed over the years? Airborne: I think over the years, we have developed into better musicians and humanitarians. Jazzreview: When did everyone in the band begin playing their instruments? Airborne: Everyone started private lessons on our instruments from age 12 years old and up and all of us have studied music in college. Jazzreview: Who are some of the musicians or bands that you have made friends with or recorded tracks for? Airborne: Laco Dezci, Earl Whitaker, Yvette Early, Thomas Mitchell, Chris Geith, Keith Outlaw, etc. We have recorded and produced for artists of many different genres - jazz, R&B, and Gospel. Jazzreview: Why does the band stay with the indie record label Tilt? Airborne:
I guess the freedom of recording and producing our own CD’s. It is easier
to create without restrictions. The How did the band get involved in the Arts Education Program with the Connecticut Commission of the Arts? Airborne:
We support the Arts. We are on the New England Foundation for the Arts and
the Connecticut Commission Jazzreview: What are your thoughts about these music education programs? Airborne: Jazz education is very vital for our newer generations. Teaching thoughts of imagination, personal expression and self-discipline to help them achieve whatever goals they dream. Emotions soar high in young hearts and jazz music gently provides an enrichment and fulfillment to their wandering passion. Jazz is a true American art form. Jazzreview: On the band’s myspace site, you posted an email from a fan named Corey Woodard who wrote that he is stationed in Afghanistan and really enjoys jazz music. How did the note make the band feel and is Airborne scheduled to do a USO Tour? Airborne: That email was an emotional cry for a touch of home by a US service man who loved our music serving in the ‘Forgotten War’ Afghanistan. We shipped a few copies of all our CD’s to the troops. The Turbulence CD has just been released and airplay is just beginning. Our next step is to set up a tour promoting the CD. No USO Tours are planned, but who knows. Our hearts go out to all these men and women in harms way. Jazzreview: What is your impression of the Internet? Airborne:
We are true internet believers. It makes the world a smaller place. It has
helped us promote our music all over
Interview by Joe Montague for Riveting Riffs Music for Turbulent Times
Turbulence is a word one normally associates with a rough airplane
ride or you hear on a weather report, but it is
In describing what the listener will hear when they don their
headphones, earbuds or pump up the volume on
Thomas Borino adds, “You can still tell it is us, even though
there are a lot of different kinds of music. We definitely
“While the songs are different, they are not all over the place.
There is a consistency. If you listen to the CD from
Gregory who engineered and mixed the CD jokes that it aged him by
ten years. “There are a lot of tracks, and
“Festival At Sunset,” is the opening track for Turbulence,
and immediately Thomas Borino’s strong keyboarding,
Commenting on Airborne’s ability to combine the smoother elements
of jazz and Latin vibes, without the later
Thomas makes the point that
although they have lived their lives in the city, that he and Gregory have
a heart for the
While admitting to several
other influences in their music, Gregory echoes his brother’s sentiments
as it relates to the
It’s “Smooth Sailing” for
Airborne
As strong as the Latin rhythms
are in Airborne’s music, Gregory says that R&B also has a prominent place.
Thomas agrees, “Like Gregory said, we always have been fans of R&B, going
back to Motown. That allowed us to cross over to non-jazz lovers.
Turbulence
had been out barely a month, at the time of my conversation with the
Borino brothers, but they were
“We cross over a lot of different formats, and like Gregory was
saying, we have an edge. We don’t play it safe. A lot of
At the same time, Gregory wants to make sure that the listening
public clearly understands how Airborne perceives their Thomas adds, “We try to keep the politics out of the music and make it a message of love.”
Today, Thomas and Gregory Borino still enjoy listening to the music
of musicians who originally inspired them. For Jazz Network USA
- Interview Why do you call your sound High Energy Contemporary Jazz The music is intricate and exciting. The musicians are masterful and precise. The female and male vocal abilities are outstanding. Mix in today's modern world emotions and technology and you get skilled professionals letting it loose and creating their own unique and trademark jazz sound. How do you classify your jazz sound The music is warm-toned yet very powerful inserting us into both today's commercial Smooth Jazz & Vocals and the more Contemporary Jazz, College and Public Radio formats. Does the jazz group have vocal ability Yes. we are blessed with great male and female vocal ability. Almost everyone sings in the band. It helps us crossover and communicate to non jazz lovers. How long has the group been together and where is the band from The band was formed in the late 1980's. Dean Kosh, drums joined in 1995. The only personal change since the band was created in our hometown of New Haven CT. With the exception of our very talented female singer and percussionist. Who are your influences The great pioneer artists of modal, funk, fusion, and Latin jazz. Artists such as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Pat Methany, Spyro Grya, Weather Report,. Rippingtons, Yellow Jackets, .etc. But of course your straight ahead and be-bop artists as Monk, Charlie Parker, Bill Evans, John Coltrane, etc... will always have our interest and respect. Vocalists such as Peabo Bryson, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Manhattan Transfer, Stevie Wonder, Motown and Old School Soul Artists keep us in the groove. How many CDs do you have and how did your last CD " Heavy Vibes " do We have 5 CD's out, plus member solo projects. " Heavy Vibes" was our best selling CD, it sold all over the world and had the most radio play. We tracked over 250 stations with heavy rotation. A successful mark on trade Jazz Charts. Great trade reviews and press releases in the USA, Japan, and Europe. The addition of our female singer and percussionist to the jazz band has crossed us over to a newer market. Jazz and non jazz lovers love the band. Our music really hits the hearts of many. We are very grateful for this blessing. What is the name of your new CD and what's it like It's called " Turbulence ". We kept the same feeling we had in the last CD " Heavy Vibes". Modal and urban with Caribbean rhythm influences, but with some vocal tunes to smooth it out. We are very excited about it and the response to the tunes on it in our live show are very impressive. Radio Programmers and DJs should find it very pleasing. But still it will be High Energy Contemporary Jazz, but this time with a Smooth Jazz and Vocals format.
A
word of note on the Airborne CD "
Turbulence”
Our world is overwhelming filled with
physical, emotional, political, and economical distress, disaster, and
confusion. We hope the music of Airborne
helps to
open hearts, minds and souls to |