If you don’t know, Janek Gwizdala is an exceptional jazz musician, born in England, UK, whose talents have taken him across the globe. He now resides in California with his family. His expertise spans various roles in the music industry, including bassist, author, songwriter, podcaster, and music producer. (And owner of cool socks!) Initially known for his skills as a bassist, Janek has expanded his repertoire and authored a number of books and resources for bassists worldwide. He is also an entrepreneur with a keen business acumen, having spent time at Berklee.
The Interview
Thanks for taking some time out with us Janek. We’re excited to sit down and chat with you about all things Bass!
I’m excited to see a Print Magazine back in business. I’m flattered that you asked me to interview with you guys!
What’s your focus right now? what are you working on at the moment?
I was thinking before our interview about what may be interesting to readers, I think it's important to address the business side of things. Nowadays, it's essential for everyone to take an active approach. You can't just wait for the phone to ring with the best sessions or tours. Being proactive is key; otherwise, you're leaving opportunities and money on the table. This reality often prompts the question of whether to stay in music or pursue other paths.
Getting down to business
I'm all for discussing these aspects openly and transparently, including numbers. Regarding albums, let's talk about the latest one, "Night Watch," released a few months ago. It's a trio record featuring Cliff Almond and Tom Cawley. Making albums has become somewhat of an annual pilgrimage for me. In 2022, we recorded in Spain with a different trio, including Nico Varro on drums. Then, in 2023, we went to Argentina. This year, the plan is Japan. My overarching goal is to produce three albums a year for the rest of my life, totaling 120 albums by the time I'm done. I'm currently on number 16, so there's a lot of catching up to do considering I'm 45 years old.
On paper, it might seem unrealistic, but it's incredibly motivating, especially when focusing on fundamentals like tone. This drive even extends to exploring different instruments.
You mentioned aiming for 120 albums.
Where does that number come from?
It's inspired by my heroes, like Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Paco de Lucía. When I consider the immense volume of music they produced in their lifetimes, it becomes a motivating factor. Even when I look at the monumental output of composers like Bach and Beethoven, who wrote an astonishing amount despite significant challenges like blindness and deafness, it reinforces the idea that there's no excuse not to strive for a substantial body of work.
The goal of 120 albums, mostly improvised jazz records, reflects both this inspiration and the evolving landscape of the music industry over the past decade or so. We've seen a shift away from a strict meritocracy, where skill alone determined success, to a more complex system. This change underscores the importance of consistently creating and sharing music.
The Power of one note
Getting into the music business can be tough. Nowadays, things have changed a lot. Back when I started out, it often seemed like getting a record deal was all about who you knew. You'd see some people with deals and wonder how they landed them. But mostly, if you were truly exceptional, opportunities would come your way. It was more of a merit-based system, or you could call it gatekeeping, among other things. That's where I began.
However, everything shifted in the mid to late 2000s. It became less about talent and more about grabbing attention. This shift was disheartening for me because I didn't want to resort to flashy displays just to capture fleeting moments of interest on social media. That wasn't why I pursued music. My aspirations were for something deeper and more enduring. I wanted to create music that resonated like a single note played by Gary Willis, leaving a lasting impact on the listener...
Read the full interview:
Instant Download of Issue 3 Here.
Links
Janek Gwizdala Podcast 285
Janekgwizdala.com
