Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
Flea Finds His Jazz Thing
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
Bassist Jorge Roeder offers up El Suelo Mío, a solo effort, as his leader debut.
(Photo: Isabel Roeder)Jorge Roeder’s supported a sweeping variety of bandleaders, ranging from his work alongside guitarist Julian Lage and trombonist Ryan Keberle to the bassist’s time with pianist Shai Maestro and vocalist Thana Alexa.
For his leader debut, though, Roeder saw fit to eschew a group setting, instead turning in the solo vehicle El Suelo Mío, a tribute to both his Peruvian background and the woody, resounding tone of his bass. The video for “Bounce,” a tune from the upcoming album, debuts below.
“It initially evoked what I think is the sound of the oud and its ability to produce microtonal scales and melodies,” Roeder said about his bass on “Bounce.” “Being a fretless instrument, the bass has this ability as well—although in the Western tradition of the violin family, most instrumentalists work all their lives to try to avoid microtones, as they sound ‘out of tune’ to some ears. As I was experimenting with this type of playing, I stumbled upon a groove, and the groove became the song, sans the microtones. The end has two very different and subtle references: The second movement from Shostakovich’s 6th Symphony, and ‘A Day In The Life’ by The Beatles.”
In addition to Shostakovich and Fab Four, Roeder touches upon influences as broad as Ornette Coleman (a cover of “Lonely Woman” is included) and Peruvian vocalist and composer Chabuca Granda, whose song “Bello Durmiente” has a lyric the bassist turned into his album’s title.
The self-released El Suelo Mío is due out July 3. DB
“Cerebral and academic thought is a different way to approach music,” Flea says of his continuing dive into jazz. “I’ve always relied on emotion and intuition and physicality.”
Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
“These days, with curated news, where people only get half the story, people can’t even speak to family members anymore,” Schneider laments.
Mar 10, 2026 1:43 PM
Maria Schneider is doing her part to try to fix what ails America. Which got her thinking about crows, specifically,…
Each of the 25 JAMs has delivered a poster featuring a jazz legend that is sent out to schools across the nation. This year’s poster features Tony Bennett.
Mar 30, 2026 10:20 PM
Every April for the past quarter century, something remarkable has happened across the United States and far beyond.…
Cécile McLorin Salvant busts out Jelly Roll Morton’s “The Murder Ballad” at Big Ears, here with pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Apr 7, 2026 1:21 PM
There’s pluralism, then there’s PLURALISM! — and then there’s Big Ears. Thurston Moore, who participated in…
“We thought it’s important that Ronin has a new statement,” said Nik Bärtsch of his band’s latest album, Spin. “The sound is differently produced, so it reflects more of who we are.”
Apr 21, 2026 10:00 AM
Nik Bärtsch cuts an imposing figure on stage. He’s unmistakable with his soul patch, shaven head and black attire.…
