Stanley Clarke

Still Taking the Road Less Traveled

Artist Interview by: Eric Thornhill

In his just released CD, The Toys of Men, Stanley Clarke explores the many varied facets of war.  Despite the fact that Stanley was battling his own war with the recent brushfires in California threatening his home, Stanley made time to discuss his latest CD, upcoming projects, and life in general.

For most jazz lovers, Stanley Clarke is a household name.  He is to jazz, what Michael Jordan is to basketball, an icon!  He has been on the jazz scene for over 35 years and the list of artists he has collaborated with over the years is a “Who’s Who” of jazz legends.  They include:  Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Pharaoh Saunders, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, George Duke, Jeff Beck, Larry Carlton, Najee, and the list goes on and on and on….

Now here’s the dish on Stanley:

Views on Music:  Stanley shared that he is about making music that appeals to himself and the jazz enthusiast.  Furthermore, he attributes his success in music to a creed that he lives by.  Stanley said, “ I do what I do and try to do it to the best of my ability, all the time.” As to what music Stanley listens to; he shares that a lot of the time, he is listening to CDs that people give him on the road.  He is inundated with CDs people give him to listen to on a regular basis and he feels a sense of responsibility to listen to them.

His CD, The Toys of Men:  Stanley shared that this is a thinking man’s CD.  It helps if you know the concept behind the CD before you listen to it.  The music takes you from vicious battles & conflicts to peace and harmony.  Although Stanley says this is not a smooth jazz CD, there are a few tunes that fall into that category.  The CD covers Stanley’s musical progression: from fusion to funk, to smooth jazz, to charting new territory.  This CD gives you a little bit of everything that makes Stanley Clarke who he is.

Upcoming Projects:  Stanley is an extremely busy man and his tour schedule begins with promoting his current CD in January & February 2008.  Next, he is working on a movie score for an upcoming Ice Cube movie.  The big news is that he is reuniting with the band where he attained his first success, “Return to Forever” (with Chick Corea).   They are looking to tour in June, July and August 2008.  Additionally as important is his groundbreaking tour set to begin in the fall of 2008 called, “The Thunder Tour.”  This is a tour composed of the three premiere bassists: Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten and of course, Stanley Clarke.  Stanley promises this is a must for bass-lovers and you better bring your ear plugs, as this will be a “thumping good time.”

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