Champian's Email Interview with Erik Erikkson in the Northest Music Review

EE: You come from a very musical family. What was your childhood like?

I come from a very close family. We spent alot of time together, reading, watching movies, going to Stephen's (my dad's) gigs, going fishing, etc. Dad and I would always listen to music and play music in the house, especially as I got older. I feel fortunate that my parents were so involved in my life from the early stages. We were, and still are, friends.

EE: Your father, one of the best trumpet/flugelhorn players around, had a close association with Clark Terry. Were you involved in that school to any degree?

I really began my musical career in LeMars with my father's school. I sang with the college big band at most of their performances and it was there that I formed my first band, "The Little Jazz Band." It was a quintet and we were all under the age of 10. That was my first experience with booking gigs and rehearsals - basically leading a band. The CT Institute was a very nurturing environment for me. Interacting with my father's students helped me to grow faster musically than if I had been in an isolated environment, or around people my own age.

EE: Aside from your dad, who were the earliest influences on your musical development? Did you, at any time, consider a career in a field other than music?

I always basically wanted to be a musician. I thought about other careers, as most children do, but they were never more than passing fancy. I always loved music. It was the center of my universe. My father was definitely my biggest influence. The other people to influence me were his friends like Clark Terry, Red Holloway, Butch Miles, etc. Clark was always so supportive of me, whichever instrument I wanted to play. He gave me trumpet lessons, he had me sing with him on stage, he always sat in with my quintet (where I played piano). In fact, Clark gave me my first paying gig. My little quintet played for his 75th birthday party in LeMars. He paid me and then he gave me the money for the other guys and told me how to pay them; basically telling me how to be a bandleader. What an experience! Clark taught me alot about being a Jazz musician - the elegance, the dignity, the respect. He taught more than just the music.

EE: We remember well your years at Birch Creek (where your dad is such a positive presence). You played trumpet, piano and sang. Did you have an idea then what direction you’d like to take in terms of schooling?

Back then I really didn't want to go to school. I was worried I wouldn't find a teacher as helpful as my father. I really just wanted to move to NY and start playing music, but my family (both mom and dad) really wanted me to experience the academic environment.

EE: You went to New York and did exceedingly well in school, earning high grades. Tell us about your educational experiences there – and the courses you pursued in addition to music?

I studied at SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory, and honestly I didn't take a single class that wasn't related to music! I was so focused. It was at Purchase where I really spent time with my instrument. I practiced the piano incessantly.

Sometimes I think back and wonder what it would have been like to have attended a regular university and experienced more of that environment, socially and otherwise. If I wasn't practicing or in class at Purchase, I was in NYC. I didn't hang out on campus or party with the other students. I wanted to be with my music. I really didn't think I had any time to waste in terms of my career or my musical journey.

EE: What did you feel these added to your personal growth?

I developed discipline at Purchase. Discipline and steadfastness. I dealt with a lot of adversity in those 3 years from my teachers and just the environment in general. I learned to be strong and persevere through difficult times. I think that was the greatest lesson I learned in school.

EE: Talented girl from the Heartland makes her mark in the Big Apple. Makes a great story, doesn’t it? How did things begin to break for you there?

I was very "agressive" right from the get-go. My first week at school I went into the city and went to see Frank Wess & Jimmy Cobb at Fat Cat. I went up to Frank and said "Hello, I'm from Oklahoma too." and then I went up to Jimmy Cobb and said "Hi, I play piano and I want to play with you." In retrospect they must have thought I was a little crazy, but they were very friendly to me and that encouraged me to continue doing what I was doing. Every week for a year I went to see those guys play and eventually I did get to play with them. I was very into "seeing" and "being seen." I loved to hang, I still do.

The more I hung out and the more people knew I was serious about playing music, the more I was welcomed into the Jazz community. I began to work slowly, mostly as a leader and then later, and even more recently, as a sideman. I think my honesty and sincere love for the music helped me break onto the scene. I'm glad I started so early, because it can be a tough thing to go out by yourself and introduce yourself to people you idolize. I think as I get older I have less patience and less energy to really put myself out there. You begin to feel more vulnerable, but when I was 17 I was invincible. haha.

EE: How did your NY performance contacts develop? Did they begin while you were still in school?

Yes, while I was in school I was in the city at least 4 nights a week if not more. I loved to play, so I was always at sessions or sitting in with people I knew. My freshman and sophomore years I didn't work a great deal, but I was working a few gigs a month. My junior/senior year I really began to work more. Networking came really naturally to me, so I always meeting people.

BTW, I say "junior/senior" year because I completed my degree in 3 years instead of the usual 4. My last year at school was a combination of Junior and Senior years. It was very taxing; my last semester I took something like 25 credit hours, but by that time I really wanted to be done with school. I just didn't want to disappoint my family and not get the degree.

EE: You have an excellent new CD. Give us the genesis of that – and the background on the group you appear with.

I met David Berger & the Sultans of Swing on July 4 2006 at Birdland. It was their first night to appear there, and I was just hanging out in the audience. I met everybody and it was really nice. I liked the guys - I liked the music, so I hung out at their gig every week for about a month. They had a singer at the time, but she was getting ready to leave. By the time they were looking for someone new, I was already a familiar face. After we did a few gigs together, it was such a great feeling and a natural fit that I stayed on with them.

David had the idea to do a full length vocal album sometime over the winter. We immeadiately started working on the tunes and the arrangements, and then BAM, there we were recording in the studio. It all happened so fast. It was like a whirlwind. It felt like I started singing with them, we talked about doing a CD, we recorded it, and then we had the finished product - so very fast. It was great. One of my goals was to have a record within a year after I graduated from Purchase, so I am very pleased with the way everything turned out.

EE: The CD has the feeling of tradition revisited. What guided choices regarding songs and arrangement?

David and I basically started out with 2 very long lists of songs and spent a few days playing songs for eachother. We have such similar tastes that the tune selection came very easily. David wrote all the arrangements. As he wrote them we would perform them at Birdland and then tweak them as necessary. I might say "Oh, I didn't like that entrance here" or he might say "Let's try this" and then we would discuss it and try it again next week. It was very collaborative and that was one of the great things about the project.

EE: Tell us about other performing opportunities you’ve enjoyed.

I've had a host of great gigs since I've been in NY. Every time I perform with my current trio, Neal Miner (bass) and Fukushi Tainaka (drums) I think "Wow that was the greatest gig of my life!" They are such an incredible pleasure to play with.

I also performed with Lou Donaldson at JazzMobile last summer - what an experience! In April of 2006 I did a tribute concert to Horace Silver. I was trying to think of a drummer to use; we were going to perform the music from his album "Stylings of Silver" and I wanted someone who could really get with that style. I immeadiately thought of Kenny Washington, but he was taking a while to get back to me so I was racking my brain one day, listening to the record, and I thought "Hmm...Louis Hayes is on this record and he lives in the Bronx, I should call him." Well, it turned out he was working that night at the Jazz Standard, so I just went down and asked him if he'd like to do the concert. He said yes! That was truly an amazing two days of performing and rehearsing. I remember and treasure every minute of that interaction. He is such a wonderful musician and beautiful person.

EE: Birdland – that has such cache. What’s it like to perform there – and as a regular?

I've been performing at Birdland since I moved to NY in 2003. I used to play the happy hour there either as a solo piano act or with a bass player. I love Birdland; it's truly my homebase here in NY. Besides being the most glamorous club in the city and the host to some of the world's greatest musicians, the staff is really just wonderful. Everyone who works there is so friendly, and I've met some of my best friends working there! Also, Gianni, the owner, has been truly helpful to me in terms of business sense. Without Birdland I feel alot of opportunities wouldn't have happened for me.

EE: Who are some of the artists who have meant something special to you – other than that remarkable father of yours?

I mentioned Clark before, and Louis Hayes. I should also mention Lou Donaldson and Frank Wess. Both of them have been incredibly friendly and helpful towards me. They are such gentlemen, such refined exceptional people - hanging with them both has really opened my eyes to the kind of person a Jazz musician should be. I appreciate everything they have shared with me.

Also, Benny Green has been an amazing friend! Besides being my hero as a pianist, he has really showed himself to be a great friend. He was one of the only people I knew when I moved out here and hanging with him and talking about music has really helped me to see some some things differently. He is a very compassionate and understanding man; I really appreciate being around someone who is so kind.

EE: Have your icons changed or expanded in number over time?

They do change, all things are cyclical. Some days I really want to listen to Dinah Washington and some days I feel more like hearing Sarah Vaughan. In terms of music I love, it doesn't really change. Sonny Clark, Hampton Hawes, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, etc - these people are in my heart everyday.

I do love being exposed to new music, and recently I discovered Madeliene Peyroux, the vocalist. I really enjoy her music. We actually just met this past Tuesday when she came to my gig at Birdland sat in. She was such a nice person, and I love her singing!

EE: You’ve accomplished a lot for your still young years. What are your dreams for the future? Another CD – featuring more of piano work?

I love to play music. I would love to work 5 nights a week and 1 brunch gig with my trio, Neal & Fuku, every week and I would be 100% happy. We are planning to record this fall / winter. This CD will feature me on piano on every track and maybe 50% vocals. I haven't decided yet. I just want to keep doing what I'm doing and keep doing it better and more frequently.

EE: What haven’t we covered?

Hmm....I'm a chess fanatic! Haha. I just started playing about 4 months ago and I play every day for hours, and when I'm not playing I study chess books. I just bought a travel set and I take it with me on the train when I commute to New Jersey. I always ask someone when I sit down next to them, "Would you like to play a game of chess?"

EE: Thanks. Congratulations and ongoing success. You’ve earned it!