{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 29-John Patitucci: The Soul, Spirit and Sound of Jazz","description":"It\u2019s a challenge to describe bassist John Patitucci. He\u2019s a 2025 Jazz Journalists Association Award winner for Electric Bassist of the Year, and four-time Grammy Award winning artist, one of today\u2019s elite bassists, not just jazz but in all of music, but that\u2019s too limiting. John is a bassist with not only excellent rhythm but a complex, angular rhythmic style with dynamic and warm tones and a style that moves people emotionally as well as physically. No, that\u2019s too inadequate. John describes himself as, \u201ca man of faith.\u201d But when I step back, I realize all the above pretty much sums it up. A Brooklyn, New York native, John Patitucci\u2019s musical history is, in his words, a \u201cCinderella story.\u201d At 25 years old, he was suddenly whisked away by iconic jazz pianist Chick Corea to join his new band, the Chick Corea Elektric Band and later the Akoustic Band where he played a large role in developing the sound of jazz fusion of the 1980s and 90s. It was Chick Corea who facilitated Patitucci\u2019s connection with GRP Records to make his first recordings and then tour the world, quickly becoming a global jazz figure. The story continues in 1986 when he was invited by saxophonist legend Maestro Wayne Shorter to contribute to his Columbia Records project Phantom Navigator. This led to Patitucci joining Wayne Shorter\u2019s 20-year four-time Grammy Award winning quartet, along with his good friends, pianist Danilo Perez and drummer Brian Blade. For John, this was the ultimate life. While Chick\u2019s band set John on a forward trajectory, it was in Wayne Shorter\u2019s band that he grew spiritually as well as technically. \u201cThe things that happened on stage are spiritual experiences for me. It\u2019s been transformative.\u201d It\u2019s this spiritual development that is the pinnacle component of our conversation. John\u2019s \u201cfaith\u201d plays a large role in his music, his stage presence, and his relationships with key band members including saxophone giant Chris Potter and legendary drummer Brian Blade. His fondness for pianist Danilo Perez continues from their brotherhood in the Wayne Shorter Quartet. This conversation occurs just as John, Danilo Perez, and Brian Blade returned with iconic saxophonist Ravi Coltrane on the three-week Wayne Shorter Legacy Tour in Europe. We open the episode recounting the tour and the importance faith played in it. We spent time delving into his recent recording, Spirit Fall, laughing and enjoying ourselves describing the compositions that impressed us the most. The creation and emotional depth of Spirit Fall, recorded without rehearsals, is a focal point of the conversation, illustrating the trio\u2019s deep connection and improvisational synergy that\u2019s felt throughout the album. Thanks to Edition Records, there are three tracks to listen to on this episode. The John Patitucci Trio: John Patitucci-double bass\/electric bass, Chris Potter-tenor saxophone\/bass clarinet, and Brian Blade-drums\/percussion. The playlist: Think Fast (6:51), Spirit Fall (6:18), and Lipi'm (7:40), all John Patitucci compositions and produced by John Patitucci. Thank you for listening to this podcast. I know you have many others to listen to, but you chose Strictly Jazz Sounds. When you subscribe you become one of the first to hear new episodes, read articles, see new photos, and learn of my annual \u201cBest of\u201d list. Soon, I will introduce a Patreon opportunity, your way of saying thanks to me for spending the more than 25 hours per episode to bring it to you. John Patitucci and I dove right into the conversation talking about one of his most cherished people, Brian Blade, and the impact their collaborations had on John\u2019s sound, particularly highlighting Brian Blade's dynamic drumming. Photo by Dave Stapleton.     ","author_name":"Strictly Jazz Sounds","author_url":"https:\/\/strictlyjazzsounds.com","html":"