Feb. 14, 2010

TSJR derives such pleasure from our exchanges with smooth jazz artists. When we settled down to chat with saxman Kim Waters, his laid-back, casual, and all-so-smooth aura was as pleasurable as a warm summer breeze.  Settle back and enjoy this enlightening conversation with the king of smooth and romantic urban jazz.

TSJR: First, I’d like to start by asking a couple of questions about Kim Waters, the artist, for those new fans who may not know.  Who or what serves as the biggest influence in your decision to pursue music in general and smooth jazz in particular?

KW: Well, I would think my family was the one that got all of us started. As we grew, we just kept it alive.  In fact, my brother is still in my group.

TSJR: You have twin daughters. How old are they?

KW: They’re 20.

TSJR: Do they show any interest in following in Daddy’s footsteps? 
 
KW:  Absolutely. One is a music major at Howard University, and the other is a fashion designer.

TSJR: What would you define as the most memorable event in your musical career?

KW: Wow, I’ve had quite a few. I guess one would be when I received an award with Dizzy Gillespie for ASCAP Writers of the year. Then, I played with Ray Charles a few times and hung out with George Benson. I also did a lot of work with Isaac Hayes, and he taught me an awful lot about the business.
 
TSJR: Not only do you write and produce material for your solo albums, you also produce the Streetwize series. Tell us a bit about that project.  What motivated you to start it?

KW: The whole concept behind Streetwize was just to keep this music alive and get it to cater to the young kids and let them know that, even though they may be rappers on top, a lot of what they’re listening to is jazz, the samples and so forth. What we’re doing is taking the new music and doing it with a jazz feel to it and hoping they’ll get into it.

TSJR: Also, as a member of the Sax Pack, what’s the most satisfying performance or moment with the group?
 
KW: We’re just guys hanging out and having fun.  We find it best to do shows with all three of us onstage at the same time as opposed to doing single acts, and we just have fun.
 
TSJR: Tell us about your involvement with Celebrity Jazz Cognac.

KW: Celebrity Jazz Cognac is a Cognac that’s imported from France by Prince Hubert (factory).
My partner, Eugene Mosley, and I are pretty much the first two Black owners of a Cognac. Right now, we’re in the process of getting distributions across the nation because this Prince Hubert factory in France does not allow anyone else to own a Cognac, and for us to be the first Blacks to have a Cognac of our own here in the United States is almost impossible.  We also have steak sauces and rubs and everything. You can find those things in most of your WalMarts.

TSJR: Now to the latest project, Love Stories.  Can you give us a little insight into the making of that incredibly romantic CD? What motivated it?
 
KW: The record company called and said “Hey man, you need to do a CD right away.”  At that time, I was on my way to London for a two-week tour with The Sax Pack.  So, while I was in London at night in my room, I would think of a melody and just hum it into my cell phone. So, when I came home, I had all of these tunes in my cell phone, and that enabled me to do the record quickly. I did the whole thing in a week.
 
TSJR: What advice would you give up-and-coming jazz musicians?

KW: Practice and know your instrument. You have to really be up to par. This is serious business. Like anything else, If you’re gonna do it, do it well.

TSJR: We just interviewed Maysa.  Have you ever performed with her?

KW: Oh, yes. She did “Daydreaming” with me on one of my earlier albums, and we’re doing a lot of shows together this year. I know we’re going to be at Berks Jazz Fest in March together.

TSJR: Will there be a Love Stories tour, and if so, where will it take you?

KW: I know we have a lot of things in the works, and we’re doing some things with Maysa and a lot of stuff with Kenny Lattimore. We’re trying to come up with a “For Lovers Only” concept.

TSJR: Finally, where can fans go for more information about Kim Waters?

KW: They can go to www.kimwaters.net.

TSJR: Thanks again for your time, and we here at The Smooth Jazz Ride wish you and Love Stories all the best.

KW: Thanks very much.

A saxophone is only as good as the person to whom its melodies belong. Kim Waters has proven time and again that his sax is of the finest quality for that very reason.  In his dictionary, “Saxophone” is a spelled L-O-V-E.  Just ask any romantic.