Pianist Nobu Stowe accepted a challenge not many musicians have been willing to take.
The Japanese-native practices total improvisation, essentially composing songs from scratch during his live performances. His inspiration comes directly from jazz pianist Keith Jarrett, the only other musician actively practicing the total improvisation method today.
Stowe began studying classical piano at the age of three, and started composing at the age of six.
He moved to Baltimore after acquiring degrees in Music Composition and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Chicago. Through it all, he continued to study and perform music.
His newest album, titled “An Die Musik,” was recorded live at Baltimore?s own music venue of the same name. Drummer Alan Munshower, also a Baltimore resident, and tabla master Badal Roy join him on the record.
You?ve expressed interest in several genres of music ? classical, the beat generation, progressive rock, and finally jazz and fusion. How do all of those elements come into play when you are performing?
That?s helped me to distinguish myself from other pure jazz pianists. I don?t think I?m an authentic jazz pianist, but then again, I?m from Japan [laughs].
You played in a progressive rock trio before you started getting into jazz. What made you switch?
Keith Jarrett is really the reason why I went to jazz. Before I found him, I thought jazz was boring. People made me listen to Miles Davis or John Coltrane, and while I really like them now, back then I thought, “This is okay I guess.” Then I found Keith Jarrett, and I fell in love with his song “Country,” and so I started listening to anything by him, and then I started educating myself on other jazz artists. It?s my addiction. Instead of drugs or something, I own like 3,000 jazz CDs [laughs].
You chose ?total improvisation,? which is much different ? and some say much more difficult ? than ?free improvisation.? Can you explain the differences?
This music is very different from so-called ?free improvisation,? which is more like, atonal and arrhythmic. ?Total improvisation? is very inclusive, it?s melodic, and I?m really big on the melodies. It?s the method of fully improvised music; it requires the performer essentially to compose a song. Total improvisation is basically just composition right there.
IF YOU GO
Nobu Stowe and Alan Munshower with Badal Roy
Where: An Die Musik Live, 409 N. Charles St., Baltimore
When: 8 and 9:30 p.m. tonight
Tickets: $12 to $15
