Interview: Denys Baptiste - "Emotion has to be at the heart of any performance or recording..."

You are considered to be a legend of the British jazz scene. Have you ever expected to hear such unique words about yourself? 

It makes a great headline Ha Ha! And no, I would never have expected such an accolade so early in my career but never-the-less, it has stuck with me (as uncomfortable as it is) The truth is that I don’t see myself in that way. There are many UK musicians who I admire and would consider them legends like; Courtney Pine or Evan Parker for example. The important thing for me is to stay focused on developing my craft and not to be distracted by opinions positive or negative. 

You started your adventure with music at a very young age. Was it a love at first sight? Or maybe you had other passions more important than music? 

I had an interest in music from the age of 9 but didn't actually start playing saxophone until I was 14 so, pretty late. The 1980’s saw a resurgence of jazz in the mainstream and as soon as I started playing I loved it and played as much as I could. My father had a few jazz records but, I mostly borrowed records and tapes from the library as I couldn't afford to buy records at that time. The recordings opened my ears to the high level of skill artists like John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins had and I dreamt of reaching that level. 

Why a saxophone? What is so special about this instrument that it has become your trademark? 

The 1970’s had a lot of pop music with saxophone; Gerry Rafferty’s - Baker Street , Earth Wind and Fire etc so initially it was all about the shine and the curves. But then I heard Don’t Stop the carnival! by Sonny Rollins. his facility and creativity blew me away and that was when I know I wanted to play saxophone.

And if you were to choose another instrument that would reflect your emotions, which one would be the best choice? 

Drums would have been my second choice, I find the mathematics of rhythm fascinating and creative use of rhythm is a technique that is integral to my playing style. 

Speaking about the emotions, there are many of them in each of your songs. You seem to be totally committed to the recording process. According to Jimi Hendrix, music doesn't lie. If so, what truth do we learn about you by listening to your recordings? 

I think a lot about the structure of my recording projects and it really does start with truth and authenticity. I believe that the audience knows if you really mean what you say. Emotion has to be at the heart of any performance or recording. In terms of my own music I hope that audiences can hear my commitment totalling a story in my music. Each day we all feel different so it’s a window into my current emotional state. That’s where the connection with audiences starts and ends. 

One of the artists whose work is undoubtedly close to you is John Coltrane, to whom you paid tribute on your album entitled "The Late Trane". You played his compositions during a concert in Warsaw. What was your idea for making this album? 

John Coltrane was one of the most creative artists of the 20th Century and the fact that he still inspires musicians to the extent that he does 55 years after his death, is testament to the power of his music. However, his later work is challenging to listen to. When I first heard his later work to returned it to the records store because it just sounded like noise to me. So, the ides of this record was to take examples of his later work and rearrange them in a contemporary way as an introduction to new listeners. It also served as a way for me to interpret his music in my own way. 

He experimented with sounds, pushed the boundaries, discovered unknown musical lands. He searched for God. A lot of this. Weren't you worried that you wouldn't be able to fully grasp the essence of his music? Show its depth? 

Music is spiritual by nature , John Coltrane just got closer to the source through his relentless exploration of music. So it really becomes a personal journey for each of us. I can’t have his spiritual experiences but, his music is a guiding light in the the right direction to start looking for the source of all creativity. The thing is, if you don’t start your journey you have no chance of reaching any destination. 

Well, late Coltrane is associated primarily with spiritual music but also difficult to understand for many jazz listeners. Do you think your album helped people understand it better? To see his recordings in a completely different light? 

That was the objective of doing this record, I always encourage my audience to give JC’s late music another listen. It is challenging and it takes time to figure out what he is trying to convey which is pure emotion through sound. 

Your music is also evolving. What is the biggest change you notice in your work compared to the times when you started your music career? 

I do a lot of personal practice when i’m not on tour and there are alway areas that need improvement and I’m defiantly a more rounded player than I used to be. I would say that I play with more intent so I’m more courageous and more willing to take musical risks. That feeds across all aspects of my musicianship. 

I mentioned your concert in Warsaw that took place as part of the Jazz na Starowce festival. One of his most touching moments was when you played "Peace on Earth" - the beautiful ballad, which Coltrane's biographer J.C. Thomas called "simple, exquisite cadenza with countless, spiraling variations". And the rain that poured during your performance seemed to fell harder then ... How much do you think we still have to experience to understand the meaning of peace? To learn how to listen and love other people? 

Nikki Yeoh and I do that duet and people really connect with it. I guess because we do live in troubled times. Sometimes its difficult to stay optimistic when the world seems so broken. That is the auction of music, to focus and distill peoples emotions with a shared experience. For me it’s interesting that not much has changed since JC wrote Peace on Earth. We are still struggling as a species to understand that we are all part of the same family in this universe. We must begin to learn quickly because as a whole we (humans) can do great things, alone with our selfish and destructive way will eventually mean our end. Our job as a musician is to spread love and positive vibes. 

Speaking of peace, this time the inner one, supposedly there's nothing like music to relieve the soul and uplift it. How often in your life have you experienced its amazing power? 

Every time I pick up my horn or hear music great music that lifts my spirit. 

So how would you describe the meaning of music in your life? How different would it be if you had never met her on your way? 

Music is very important to me it nourishes me and keeps me balanced. I believe that I am where I am supposed to be (playing music) and it’s my privilege to be able to share my thoughts, feelings and music with audiences. Before I embarked on a career in music I studied to be a Mechanical engineer so who know I’d likely still be doing that. I imagine I’d be feeling that my calling was not to be an engineer. 

Well, when we talked about Coltrane we agreed that he has been in dialogue with God. Do you think he finally found the answers he was looking for? 

Only JC could possibly know the answer to that question…He was on his own personal journey and we only have his music to judge. He was only 42 when he died and I often wonder what direction his music would have gone had he lived. But, one of his the greatest achievements is that he still brings people together to experience his journey and maybe start one of their own. 

And what about you? If you could ask God one question that has been troubling you for a long time, what would you like to ask him? 

"Why can’t we all just get along?".