August Issue 2014

An Interview w / Eric Mintel 1. Drivetime Chronicles; Eric, being one of the most visible jazz pianists in our area how do you find attendance for jazz shows in this day and age? A. Eric Mintel Attendance has been better than ever. I've also seen our demographics getting younger which is really great to see. The 20 and 30 something's are really showing an interest in jazz. 2. Drivetime Chronicles; How much of your audience are EMQ followers. A. Eric Mintel There are a lot of loyal EMQ followers, but we are constantly seeing new faces at the concerts! 3. Drivetime Chronicles; How do you get your message out: FB, Twitter, E-Blasts, and Flyers? A. Eric Mintel All of the above, and ads in television shows too. Facebook has been an incredible tool for getting the word out immediately. I never like to constantly bombard people with where we are playing but there has to be a balance. I like to post audience reactions to our concerts and post behind the scenes of our gigs, sometimes funny, not too serious. I want people to know that we are having fun doing what we do and, in turn, have them be part of the fun and excitement. 4. Drivetime Chronicles; The Drivetime Chronicle knows of your affiliation and friendship with Dave Brubeck; would you say he was your biggest influence. A. Eric Mintel Yes Dave was my biggest influence but not only for the music. I learned a lot of life lessons from Dave, such as work ethic, and to constantly work as a jazz musician as much as possible and in as many areas as possible. I remember Dave telling me I will have staying power through anything because I'm building from the ground up. Here it is 20 years later and still working. Thank God! 5. Drivetime Chronicles; What other musicians do you admire? A. Eric Mintel Bernie Capodici ;-) and contrary to popular belief, I did listen to other musicians other than Dave. Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson, Michele Camilo, Brad Meldau and of course Bill Evans and the Duke. 6. Drivetime Chronicles; I have to ask this: you have played I believe for three Presidents, which one did you enjoy playing for the most? A. Eric Mintel Ha I've played for two presidents. Clinton in 1998 and Obama in 2011. Both were a pleasure to play for. We had a sax all set up for President Clinton to play, but between the Monica Lewiski thing and political craziness of the time, he wasn't able to. But we got one hell of a photo op. Same with President Obama and Michele. They were great and very approachable. I learned that the first jazz concert Obama saw as a kid with his dad was a Dave Brubeck concert. Small world. 7. Drivetime Chronicles; Were you nervous? A. Eric Mintel No I wasn't nervous. 8. Drivetime Chronicles; I know most people have no idea what its like being a working musician today, the hours on the phone, the haggling with club owners and promoters, the traveling, oh did I mention the haggling? What advice would you give new players looking to make music a career? A. Eric Mintel Be pleasantly persistent. Focus on venues that are a high caliber and never ever play for free. 9. Drivetime Chronicles; How has the industry and music changed in your eyes over the years and how does it affect you and your music? A. Eric Mintel I just keep forging ahead. Things really haven't changed too much for me. Jazz has always been a difficult road to pave; but building on each success and moving on to the next and staying positive in the midst of the turmoil of the world, opportunities WILL present themselves. And when they do you have to go for it. Technology has put musicians in good and, at times, bad places. I've connected with more people in the last year than I had the previous 19. Be willing to get out of your comfort zone. Let's put it another way...I'm never comfortable. 10. Drivetime Chronicles; If you're anything like me, inspiration comes at the most inopportune times. Can you retain a line /melody or does it slip away if you can’t jot it down or play it? A. Eric Mintel That’s a great question. I sometimes dream music and wake up with a melody or rhythm in my head, but drift off, and it's gone in the morning. Lately when I do get an idea I will hum it or sing it into the voice memo on my phone and reference it later. Gotta love technology. 11. Drivetime Chronicles; Not to slight the other guys in EMQ, but what’s it like playing with one of the best drummers in the business? Of course I’m referring to Mr. Cool Breeze himself, Dave Mohn. A. Eric Mintel Haha Dave Mohn is a genius. Dave is such a great listener. Me being a very rhythmic player, Dave and I will often hit the same rhythmic pattern together in the middle of a performance and look at each other with big smiles on our faces. He drives the band. He and Jack Hegyi on bass are locked tight, which allows Nelson Hill on alto sax and myself on piano to create! It's a beautiful situation. 12. Drivetime Chronicles; Where can people hear your music other than your web site? A. Eric Mintel iTunes and also CDBaby. 13. Do you worry about getting airplay from celestial stations, and do you get the kind of support that you would like? A. Eric Mintel No. I welcome it. The more play the better. I'm with BMI, so they track all of my original music play. Support is very good. 14. Drivetime Chronicles; Last and final question, what’s next for Eric Mintel and EMQ? A. Eric Mintel I'm currently working on a tour of ten cities for the fall, releasing a new live cd in September, and looking forward to playing this music for years to come. Drivetime Chronicles; Thank you Eric, it’s always a pleasure speaking with you and The Chronicle wishes you much success in all you do.

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