Joey Baron: David Bowie was a real gentleman

Another interview related to the upcoming John Zorn concert: Joey Baron. See him at the Bagatelles Marathon, 20 June 2019, Forum Karlín, FB event

I would like to ask about an unusual recording of you that I really like: Now You Hear Me, the drum album with Robyn Schulkowsky you released last year. How did this idea develop and what were you trying to do there?  

“now you hear me “is the next step after our first recording “dinosaur dances” (available from downtown music gallery nyc). the idea was / is  to tell a story and let the sound of our instruments dictate the direction of the music. this process started in 2001 and is ongoing. this idea came from the fact that we both are interested in applying our skills and experience to present an option of what drumming and music making can be.

One article compared your technique to that of a martial arts master. Do you work out, and do you have an interest in such things?  

i do a very simple qi gong routine and walk a lot.

What sort of live concerts you like, what type of places do you like to play?

i am happy to play any place where there is a general atmosphere of respect and awareness. i particularly enjoy playing in the round (set up in the middle of a room surrounded on all sides) and being close to the audience.

I am sure everybody is asking you this but still… how was recording with David Bowie? How do you remember him as a person?

david bowie was a real gentleman.  the experience of those days recording were fun and full of suprise. it was indeed a thrill.

What are your plans for the coming months?

concerts with john zorn, jakob bro, “mix monk” (new trio with robin verheyen,& bram delooze).

i will be in residence at the begues jazz camp near barcelona beginning of august. i’m particularly looking forward to play in lisbon  august 9th at this years “jazz en agosto”festival in duo with robyn schulkowsky. also we are composing a piece for about 15 percussionists to be played in ghent, belgium at st-baafs abby on september 26. this evening includes our duo music as well.

How about Prague? What do you like and/or dislike about this place?  

i have been to prague several times. with my own bands as well as those of buster williams, john zorn, bill frisell and  george mraz. i enjoy the high spirited audiences there. looking forward to june 20th!