10 minute read
Gerald Albright
from May 2019
GERALD
Proudly endorses his own line of Cannonball saxophones and returns for the 2019 Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns tour
By Ken Capobianco
After three decades of making music as a professional, renowned jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright has learned a great deal about his craft, the music business and, most importantly, himself. Like most veteran musicians who have deservedly earned career success, Albright understands that having a satisfying and fulfilling personal life is just as important as making music.
When it comes to playing his horn, Albright is still at the top of his game, but he’s not totally consumed by his art like he was when he was a young player trying to claim his place at the table while achieving his dreams. Last year, he celebrated his 30th year as a recording artist with the release of 30, a collection of newly recorded versions of some of his finest songs. And, he continues to be a top concert draw on the smooth jazz circuit. With 19 studio albums in his catalog, the 61-year-old has found the sweet spot in life, a place that has transformed his wellbeing and outlook on his work. “I’m very content,” the gracious and engaging Albright said recently via phone while driving near his home in Colorado. “I’ve learned a lot of lessons throughout those three-plus decades. And, about three years ago, I did a total assessment of my career, life and well-being. I found out I could effectively streamline things and still have a very effective career. When I found that out, it just opened up all kinds of doors of creativity.” He added that his new perspective on his life and work has brought him a new level of peace. “The key thing for me is I’m more relaxed. I’m at a great point in my life right now where I have total control of my career. I have good health, my family is doing well, and I’m blessed to still have a thriving musical career that’s actually stronger than it’s ever been. So, I’m in a good place, and that’s reflective in writing, production, doing shows and playing the horn.
ALBRIGHT
I’m able to be one with my fans and those who come to my shows. I’m more interactive on the internet. My 60s are the best part of my life.” Another aspect of this shift was Albright’s decision to take over control of his career and manage himself. It’s a move he believes brings him greater flexibility as an artist as well as a firmer grip on his direction. “I’ve been preparing to manage throughout my life,” he said. “I had three managers over the course of my career, so I’ve had a three-decade internship because after so long of watching what they do with deals and figuring out what things work and what things don’t, you get a good sense of what is best for yourself.” Taking the reins also allows him to prioritize his life while he continues to tour and record. He is also a dedicated husband to his wife of 38 years, Glynis, and a proud father. “My biggest accomplishment has been the husband and father of this family,” Albright said. “That is my mission on this planet, and I’ve been so honored to do that since the kids were born. We are a very close family. Geographically we are not close because as kids grow up, they move out of town and find themselves, but in terms of the spirit of the family, togetherness and the love, we are close.” His daughter, Selina Albright, has been making inroads as a vocalist, as she establishes her own name in the jazz-pop world. Dad has taken great interest in her career and helped her find her footing. “A few years ago, Selina came to me and said ‘Dad, you know I want to pursue music.’ So, I helped her work on demos and songwriting, and now she has her own record company, First Choice Music. “She pretty much has the same business model as I have, so she’s self-managed. She has a booking agent and does her gigs. Sometimes we do gigs together.
“We did a Christmas tour last year––we call it the Albright Family Christmas tour. It was just Selina and myself, and we intend to augment that as we get more popularity. People really enjoyed the father-daughter camaraderie onstage, and Selina really brings it. She doesn’t have to rely on nepotism because she really works. Of course, the connection has helped to a degree, but her success is her own.” Albright’s son, Brandon, is a cinematographer who is also setting down a solid foundation for career success. “He went to the Art Institute of Colorado and got his bachelor’s in digital media and digital editing. He’s been working for different companies and established his own company, where Gerald Albright performing at he has private clients he does film shoots Thornton Winery in Temecula, California or editing for, that’s called Snow Desert Productions,” Albright explained. “He’s “I’m in a good place, and doing his thing, and I’m very proud of him, too.” that’s reflective in writing, The grind of being a musician––recording, touring, producing, writing––production,doing shows can be demanding, and it’s vitally important for all artists to find a refuge and playing the horn.” from the treadmill. For the South Central Los Angeles native, golf provides a safe haven from the industry. “I have three divisions in my life: family, music and golf. In that order,” Albright said with a small laugh. “Golf is very important to me. When I’m jet setting in the fast lane, doing cruises and gigs, and traveling all over, it’s nice to have that five hours of just-me time where you are out in the wilderness and wildlife, and it’s just you and that ball, and you are just competing against yourself basically to win the game. “In Colorado, where I live, just south of Denver, there are scenic courses––you can be out with elk and deer, among other animals. It’s like heaven because it’s so calming. I enjoy that and the networking aspect because you never know who you are going to golf with.
Photo: Pat Benter
continued from page 15
Sometimes, they partner you with millionaires, and I’ve met key, iconic people over the years. I recently golfed in Australia with a gentleman who had a big stake in YouTube, so you can meet anyone. It’s a positive environment.” Among Albright’s most fruitful endeavors outside of the recording industry is his collaboration with Cannonball Musical Instruments. He has a signature line of saxophones and has become a crucial
endorser for the company. It’s a relationship he cherishes. “It is one of the most unique and thriving relationships I’ve ever had in my life,” he said. “I met Tevis and Sheryl Laukat, the owners of the company, at the NAMM [National Association of Music Merchants] show several years ago—maybe 15 or 16 years. “I was leaving the Anaheim Convention Center, and Tevis spotted me and stopped me. He introduced himself to ask if I wanted to try the horns. I did, and loved them. They played very good, so he said ‘Do you want a horn?’ And, I said, ‘Well, if you are giving horns away, sure,’” Albright recalled with a hearty laugh. “So, he gave me a horn, which I played for a long time. I was initially an endorser, and then the relationship deepened, so I said, ‘Why not do a signature Gerald Albright horn?’ They asked me how I wanted the horn to sound, what type of design, how did I want it to look, and what type of materials I wanted it to be made of. We developed what’s called the GA5 horn, which is the horn we have been selling for many years. It’s been very successful. I have an alto, tenor and soprano. The friendship and collaboration are wonderfully genuine and honest.” Of course, Albright still keeps a busy schedule with music and will be heading out this summer on the Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns tour, something he is looking forward to as there will be a new addition to the lineup. “This will be our third go-round,” he said. “It will be myself, Dave Koz, Aubrey Logan, Rick Braun, and this year we’re adding a new twist, as we’re bringing Kenny Lattimore, the great vocalist. He’ll be bringing a vocal aspect to it. The combination of horns and vocals will be a nice blend. We start rehearsals in July and start a 25-city tour. The lion’s share of the show will be what we’ve done, but with Kenny, it will be different. We may employ two or three songs we didn’t do on the last tour to keep things fresh.” The horn player recently returned from two sailings on the Dave Koz & Friends at Sea full-ship charter cruises, which took him to Australia for the first time. He spoke enthusiastically about going out on jazz-themed cruises and anticipates going out on more. “Cruises are the upscale way for jazz lovers to come in contact with their favorite artists. The concept is people pay a lot of money to sail for seven or eight days, but they also get to mingle with the artists, maybe have lunch or dinner, where they are at one with the artist for Q&A sessions or signings, and I enjoy that immensely.” He maintained that he enjoys meeting fans and spending time with fellow musicians. “For artists who have been friends a long time, it allows us to get one or maybe two weeks to catch up with one another because we’re usually out doing our own things,” he said. “It’s a nice fraternity. On every cruise, the list changes. On this cruise, I spent time with BeBe Winans, who sang on my very first record in 1987. I rarely see BeBe because he’s on the gospel side of things, and I’m on the contemporary jazz side, but here we were breaking bread together and seeing other artists’ shows. It was great to have quality time with him, and now as a result, we are talking about doing things together. So it’s a cool thing all around.” After three decades, Albright believes there’s plenty of music still to be made, and he anticipates many years of recording because his creative fires still burn bright. “I feel I’m at my best right now,” he said. “I have 19 records to my credit, and there will be plenty more. “Early on in my career, whenever I had writer’s block, which didn’t happen too often, I would keep pressing and pressing for ideas until I finally got something, Now, if I have writer’s block or no ideas, I’ll go away from the studio, golf or do a power walk, and when I come back I have a plethora of ideas. I’m not so regimented anymore where I think I have to do this today. It must get done. I just let it flow now. The best ideas come when you allow the creativity to take its course.”
In addition to the upcoming Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns tour, Albright is scheduled to perform at Live Luxe Jazz on Nov. 8, at the OMNIA Dayclub Los Cabos in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. For tickets or more information on this event, visit www.lifeluxejazz.com. For more information on Albright, visit www.geraldalbright.com.
Dave Koz and Gerald Albright performing on the 2018 Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns tour at Thornton Winery in Temecula, California
Photo: Sherry Fisher
