JAMES M. SPEA
Jazz music has long been an expression of style and ideas. Its musicians, filled with talent and creativity, mesh their ideas and create inventive, personality-filled music.
Like jazz, hip hop also combines free-form melodies and rhythms, leaving a lot of room for improvisation.
Two vinyl-spinning DJs, having a love for both jazz and hip hop, decided to put the two styles together. The result is a fresh statement. It reminds us that it hasn't all been done.
The two DJs, 'Sureshot' and 'Mr. Supreme,' are the founders of a project called 'Sharpshooters.' They can't really be called a band, because neither of them play any instruments. Rather, they orchestrate their ideas with music collected from as far back as the 1960s.
Sharpshooters also enlisted some of Seattle's local jazz talent, reviving older artists who have been looking for new opportunities to play.
'We went out and found these jazz cats in Seattle,' Sureshot explained. 'They were so hungry to get back into the work again.'
They put together quite an ensemble: a horn section, vibes, a stand up bassist, a drummer, even a few jazz poets. Then Sureshot and Supreme just let them jam.
Sharpshooters said it was very interesting working with real jazz artists. From a DJ's perspective, making music takes a different approach.
'From our perspective there are no rules,' Sureshot said. 'We weren't thinking about notes. We were just concerned with the overall sound.'
After recording the jazz sessions, Sureshot and Mr. Supreme pieced the songs together, layering the music with other various samples. They give a bassy hip hop beat to some songs, while leaving others more jazzy. Sureshot described the whole process as a collage of sound.
Although a lot of their music sounds like retro 1960s and '70s, Sureshot was quick to say that making vintage jazz was not their intention. He loves old jazz but isn't trying to recapture that sound. He doesn't believe it can be done.
They like to think of their new album, 'Choked Up,' as more of a forward- looking project.
Sharpshooters plan to go on tour. But before they do they first have to overcome a few dilemmas.
First, the line-up of jazz musicians they used to record their new album aren't up to traveling the nation. Some are too old for that and others simply don't have the time.
They are currently lining up new jazz artists who will join them out on the road for performances.
Second, much of Sharpshooters' sound is crafted in a cut and paste style. The real magic of their music happens in the recording studio during the jam sessions and music production.
Audiences expect to be entertained, explained Sureshot.
Since they can't just play a record on the stage, touring will be a bit more tricky. Right now they are working on ways to make their performances entertaining.
At this time, Sharpshooters don't have any tour dates scheduled for Salt Lake City. But if you like rap, hip hop or jazz you should give 'Choked Up' a listen.