- I don't know about being the best, I still can't read music so I'm certainly not technically the best, I don't even know what the notes are on a bass. Sometimes I'm told I can't play that note with this chord, to which I reply: well, why not if it sounds good? The best? No, but having never heard anyone play in a similar way, I'd certainly consider perhaps being the most original!
- "Middle Eastern music, predominantly Turkish, has been a big influence on my writing. My mother listened to it a lot when I was young, not a popular choice for a Greek Cypriot, and often in secret, so I grew up believing there was something mysterious about it. It's clearly there in every solo project, together with my other two great musical loves, classical and funk/soul music".
- "I wanted to be able to slide and bend notes as I'd learnt to do with the violin and so decided to take all the frets off the bass guitar. I also began playing bass directly after the bassoon which, although a bass instrument, often plays lead melodies, both of these factors were major influences in shaping the way I play. I couldn't help but feel that bass players were always hidden somewhere in the background whereas I was determined to be heard".
- On his sculpture:- "Some were sold, others destroyed or left with friends that I've since lost contact with. I learnt, over the years, not to allow myself to become too attached to any completed work and thereby continuously move forward and on to the next project."
- Although I think Jazz is a natural progression for many musicians, ie: the more you learn about music, the more complex it tends to become, I wanted to go the opposite way, to simplify my writing, to let it come from within without too much forethought.
- I've never been a big fan of jazz, but it seemed a shame to not use some of the talent from CMP for my own recording. It was the first time for them to be involved in anything other than Jazz and with no information about keys or chord structures from me, led on to some great results. Just for the record, having never heard him play before, it was the head of CMP records who bought me a Jaco Pastorius CD.
- I learnt so much from David [Torn], for example how to prepare for a tour with only 2 days rehearsal, in other words, how to improvise, I remember we mainly talked about shoes in between the playing and I also learned that Jazz needn't be made up of endless solos, which had always held me back from listening to it.
- It looked as if musicians were enjoying themselves and I was intrigued by their ability to escape into another world but frustrated with my own attempts to join in, However, it was only a matter of time before I found the right instrument and direction to aim for, purely by chance. The truth is I bluffed my way into the orchestra. I never learned to read music and played purely by ear, so was always very nervous about being heard in case of mistakes. Although it worked wonders with my memory for retaining music, I can't remember even one day that I actually enjoyed playing, until in front of an audience at the first LSSO concert.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content