How would you classify your music? It's a real blend of many styles. Mostly classical and rock but I certainly keep my ears open to many other influences. I also play quite frequently with the Paul Winter Consort and it's members. That project has me mostly on grand piano. Do you both have day jobs and if so what do you do? My "day job" is working with Kurzweil designing sounds and representing them artistically worldwide. I often create the "factory music demos that reside inside the instruments as well.. How did you get together? The concept for the Rudess/Morgenstein Project began one evening at a sold out Dixie Dregs performance in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Rod is an original member of the Dregs and I joined them for the Full Circle tour. In the middle of the set, a power failure shut down the guitar, bass and violin rigs leaving only the keyboards and drums unaffected. Disaster seemed imminent. What followed instead was a very cool, ten minute drum/keyboard power-duo jam which brought down the house. This event marked the beginning of a unique musical collaboration between the two of us. What are your musical backgrounds? I started studying piano when I was 7 years old. I went to Juilliard in New York City when I was 9. It was all very strict classical study for me until I bought my Mini Moog at age 18. That blew my mind and nothing has ever been the same. What kind of music do you like to listen to when your not playing? - Yes - Genesis - Pink Floyd - Gentle Giant - Dream Theater. Also Classical Music works nicely for me. What do you do to relax? Drugs... I'm kidding.. Believe it or not I'll play the piano to relax. Get into kind of a musical meditation. I believe music is incredibly healing. I do self healing with my music. What words would best describe you (as an individual)? Gentle, One sided (music) easy going.. Did the album live up to your expectations? Absolutely. I'm so pleased whenever I listen to it in that we spent a hell of a lot of time getting everything just the way we wanted it. Do you have your own studio? If so, what equipment is in it.? My studio is filled with Kurzweil instruments primarily. I also use Macintosh computers-I have G3. I use Digital Performer- Microboards CD ROM technology-Mackie Boards and a few other odds and ends. If you had the chance to jam with any band, who would that be? At this point it's hard to answer. Years ago I would have jumped on that question. When you are younger you have all these idols and then things shift a bit i guess. Anyway I want to Jam with Steve Vai because I think he is an amazing Guitar Wizard. One of these days I want to jam with Terry Bozio the drummer. I've always wanted to hear Jon Anderson sing some of my stuff as well. I want to jam with King Crimson also. What's the best thing that has ever happened to you? Besides meeting my wife Danielle, getting a Mini Moog and then finding Rod Morgenstein. What's the worst thing that has ever happened to you? 15 years ago in the third bar of a 13/8 passage of 64th notes I had the embarrasment of playing a wrong note. Dreadful! Was it a joint collaboration in writing the songs? Two of our songs were a joint effort. Sloth and Tailspin Where do you get your inspiration from? The universe around me. It's all there to be tapped into. The challenge and the goal as a human being first and then as a musician is to be able to be an "open channel for all the inspiration around us. Which are you personal favorite songs and why? I love "Entangled" by Genesis. "Close to the Edge" by Yes. "Granchester Meadows" by Pink Floyd. "Talk to the Wind" King Crimson. Oh and "Tarkus" by ELP. Have you played many gigs and if so where? The last couple of years we have been lucky enough to have teamed up with Dream Theater and open for them all over Europe. Places such as Budapest, Vienna, France,Italy UK, Switzerland, Spain and more! It's been incredible!! What is you view of the music scene in New York? I live in NY and I hardly ever play here. When we do it's pretty cool but in general the audiences outside the US are much more receptive to musicians who are interested in creating music for musics sake. The US market is very fashion based and so I don't have much direct interest in it beyond just being an observer of passing trends. What band/s would you say has had the most influence on you? Gentle Giant - Yes - ELP. Chopin What are your plans for the future? I'm in the process of recording a new LTE album. After that is done I'd like to get another Rudess/Morgenstein album out. I feel Rod and I have a very cool project and I'd like to continue to energize that. Any last words or remarks? It's a very strange world out there but if you can follow your heart, and focus in on what you love there is nothing preventing ones self from acheiving greatness. Let's all take a deep breath and go for it! Jordan Rudess Website : http://www.mediusvision.com/~jordan Rod Morgenstein Website : http://home.earthlink.net/~morgenstein |