The bassist has also recently published a companion book of charts and a play-along version of So to Speak with the bass parts removed, and is busy lining up dates in and around the Portland, Oregon area.
Jazz en Dominicana: How would you describe yourself?
Damian Erskine: I describe myself as a groove player, first and foremost. While I've worked hard to be versatile and play different genres of music with authenticity and style, I am really a funk guy at heart.
JenD: How has your musical journey been? What are your favorite genres to play?
DE: I've played music all of my life, I wouldn't have it any other way. My favorite genres are funk and Latin, primarily. I also love a great songwriter, though.
JenD: Who were your influences?
DE: My uncle, Peter Erskine, for sure ... Jaco Pastorius, Richard Bona, Marc Johnson, Dave Holland, Etienne Mbappe I just love good music.
JenD: What's it like playing with [Gino] Vanelli, and then with [Jeff] Lorber, and then Peter [Erskine]?
DE: Each of those guys is so good at what they do...playing with strong performers really helps me to elevate my own playing. While all three of those artists are completely different stylistically, the one common thread is a maintaining a high level of musicality and loving the life of music.
JenD: How is Latin America—its culture and rhythms—influencing jazz today?
DE: I feel that I really began to come into my own musically once I started hearing the music of both South America and Africa. The tradition and language is so strong and runs so deep. I play at a Peruvian restaurant here in Portland, Ore., with some Peruvian musicians and I've learned so much through the discovery of this music. For me, I'm struck primarily by the rhythmic language and it really doesn't get any better than in South America.
JenD: What are your present projects?
DE: I have been pursuing my own group (Damian Erskine Project) as well as playing with many different song-writers locally, the Bobby Torres Salsa Band in addition to dozens of various local groups spanning many genres.
JenD: Bassist, composer, arranger, teacher—a man of many hats— which do you prefer and why?
DE: [smiles] Bassist! I love nothing more than traveling the world, making great music with great people.
JenD: How did you get invited to play with the Peter Erskine New Trio?
DE: I was in Los Angeles for the NAMM [National Association of Music Merchants] show, which is a very large trade show, full of musicians and most major manufacturers of the gear we use, and Peter [Erskine] called and asked me to swing by his house before flying home. I met with Peter and Vardan and we played through a few tunes so they could feel out the music with an electric bassist. I guess they liked it.JenD: Tell us of your experiences with the New Trio? What is it like to work alongside players such as Peter and Vardan?
DE: This will be my first outing with this group. I hope for many More. Peter is a living legend. I also have the benefit of having grown up watching him play and it's truly a dream come true to stand next to him on stage. I never thought that would happen as a kid.
Vardan is truly one of the new voices in jazz. I just know that I will not only enjoy myself thoroughly but, more importantly, will learn an incredible amount creating in the moment with these two astounding musicians.
JenD: Of your recordings, which is your favorite and why?
DE: Of my personal CDs, I'd have to say that So To Speak (Self Produced, 2010)—my most recent—is my favorite, only because it most accurately reflects where I am musically at this moment.
JenD: You will be playing in Santo Domingo this upcoming July 28th as you kick off the second concert of the World Jazz Circuit Latin America 2010-2011. This will be your first time on this Caribbean island, and then to South America—how do you feel about it?
DE: I couldn't be more excited to experience Santo Domingo and its beautiful people in person. I'm quite thrilled with the venues and cities we'll be visiting on this short trip. While I've spent time in Europe and have been all over North America, this will be my first trip to South America. I've long been an admirer of the South American culture in every regard. Having the opportunity to travel there and do what I love is a living dream.
JenD: What do you expect from the New Trio for this concert? What have you prepared?
DE: Both Peter and Vardan operate at the highest of levels artistically at all times. I expect this to be a magical experience. All three of us will be bringing our own compositions to the table. I truly look forward to hearing my music interpreted by these masters of their craft.
JenD: Finally, what do you expect of the experience? The crowd?
DE: I expect that the audience will have as much fun as we will.
Selected Discography
Damian Erskine, So To Speak (Self Produced, 2010)
Damian Erskine, Trios (Notnek, 2007)
Photo Credit
Photos Courtesy of www.damianerskine.com
For more information contact Jazz en Dominicana by Fernando Rodriguez.
