the arts represent the best possible projection of a country’s identity, culturally and beyond.” Will Vinson

JA: You’ve included strings, vocals and post production in this album, can you talk a little bit about what led to this new direction?
WV: This is my 6th album as a leader, and as much as I love the freewheeling nature of a live quintet, I really wanted to add some more colors this time and create more of a sound world. I was aiming for the best of both worlds by starting with a live band and conceiving of and adding the other colors later.

JA: How did you meet the other musicians?
WV: I know all the guys in the band expect Gonzalo just from being on the Jazz scene in NYC over the past decade and a half. Gonzalo doesn’t live in New York, but I had the good fortune to be introduced to him by the great alto saxophonist Yosvany Terry, who called me to sub for him on one of Gonzalo’s concerts at Birdland in New York. That was a special moment, having been a fan of his work since I was a teenager.

JA: Any plans to visit Australia again soon?
WV: Yep! I plan to be in Australia in early 2017. Stay tuned for shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide (and perhaps elsewhere)!

JA: Who are your favorite Australian Jazz musicians?
WV: Australia is a special place in the sense that it really punches above its weight in the global jazz scene. Some of my favorite players are Chris Hale, Jamie Oehlers, Ben Vanderwal, Gian Slater, and especially my frequent collaborator James Muller. All of them world class players!

JA: We have seen reductions in arts funding in Australia in the last few years, are you willing to comment on this trend in reference to either the UK where you are from or the US where you are based?
WV: Unfortunately arts organizations are among the first victims in the sights of right-wing governments all over the world. It’s a cynical display and an easy target, designed to show that they’re cutting costs in non-essential areas, and is truly pathetic, for two reasons:

1) the amount of money saved is beyond negligible and

2) the arts represent the best possible projection of a country’s identity, culturally and beyond. One only has to look at the power of American music in the 20th Century to see that. The arts are not a non-essential area!

NYC based Jazz saxophonist Will Vinson has released his 5th album – “Perfectly Out Of Place” on the 5 Passion label. It’s an inspired collection of compositions featuring a string quartet and the charismatic vocal chords of Aussie singer Jo Lawry.
Will’s rhythm section comprises:

Piano: Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Guitar: Mike Moreno
Bass: Matt Penman
Drums: Jeff Ballard

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