We are delighted to welcome Aida Brandes to the CWTC interview series.
Born in Germany, Aida lived in Japan as a baby and then grew up in Germany before moving to the US.
" I didn’t have a particularly musical upbringing or jazz background. My mom played piano, so I was always familiar with the instrument and never felt like I couldn’t play music, even though I doubt I was actually any good. I grew up in several different households over the course of my childhood, so there were different musical influences. I’d say initially there was classical music, then a lot of 60s soul music and as a teenager your usual pop, R&B and hip hop. Jazz found its way in there and became a focus at some point, although I am not entirely sure how it actually started."
Performing was already part of Aida's life long before she became a musician.
"I actually started working as a professional dancer and singer while still in high school, so I was already in it before I had to think about choosing a career. I started performing in musicals in high school. I booked a few small tv roles from there, those ended up being more of a one off, but the singing and dancing developed into professional gigs as a backup dancer and singer and recording artist."
Despite growing up all over the world, and performing in a litany of locations, Aida waxes lyrical about her love of New York.
"The first international gig I did was in Mexico City I think. The first show was in front of ten or twenty thousand people, which was super exciting. It was only two or three gigs over ten days. The show was crazy, but the whole trip and experience was one of the best."
"New York is obviously a, if not “the”, place to be for music and performing arts. The energy and level of competition here is awesome, because New York is filled with people who are the best or most ambitious in their home town and now they’re all here trying to figure it out, making each other better. And while that was and is something I love about New York it also ended up being the place that has allowed me to relax. There are things that I would like to do, but if I’m honest being able to sing, play and have fun with it is about as good as it gets. And New York is an amazing place for that.
I am extremely happy to be playing at Hermana on such a regular basis, it has become somewhat of a home base for me. We have John from Hermana and another friend of mine to thank for getting me off the couch and back in front of a mic. John is also the one that made the connection with KeyedUp. KU is such a great and important program. It is helping save live music at a time when it is needed most. When venues are struggling music is usually the first thing to go. KU is stepping in and ensuring that live music can happen and musicians get paid. I am incredibly appreciative and grateful to be a part of KU’s sponsorship, their support has allowed me to play and be free to just focus on the music which is what we are here for."
Aida was married to one of the all-time great musicians, Roy Hargrove.
"Roy was instrumental in me starting to write for big band, which I’m not sure I would have even attempted had it not been for him. He sometimes would ask me to transcribe or copy stuff for him, which would be great practice for me, because I write and read music like a fourth grader. After asking me one day to transcribe a big band piece (which I thought was nuts, but ended up being somewhat doable) he suggested I write one myself. I thought that was equally nuts, but went for it and while the first one wasn’t exactly a masterpiece he was able to play it with his big band and it started me on the road to writing for large ensembles. The first time I got to hear one of my arrangements played live was by his big band and it was one of the most amazing moments for me and I am forever grateful to him for that (amongst a million other things!!).
Me and Roy’s daughter Kamala founded Roy Hargrove Legacy about two years ago to manage Roy’s music and legacy. I run the day to day operations, a lot of it with the indispensable help of our lawyer, which involves everything from rights management to running an online store to releasing new music and so many things I never thought I’d be doing, but I’m happy to say that it’s going well. Last year we were able to release a new record, the first release in twelve years (It’s a live duo recording with Roy and Mulgrew called “In Harmony”) and we were able to get three records that had been unavailable re-released (Jazz Networks “Tokyo sessions/Straight to standards” and “Beauty and the Beast”, plus “Oscar Peterson meets Roy Hargrove and Ralph Moore”)."
What has Aida been listening to?
"Last three artists played: Dexter Gordon live “More than you know” with Kirk Lightsey killing it on piano. Charles Mingus and Friends in concert. And Nat King Cole."
Finally, Aida's thoughts on the last two years of lockdown and where you can find her now.
"The lockdown happened when I wasn’t really ready to be out in the world yet, so it provided a welcome buffer at the time. Also I’m an introvert, so social distancing is generally not much of an issue. Although now that I’ve been out and about again I have to say that I would miss it if we had to distance like that again.
I currently do solo gigs and have started some great collaborations playing duo with Jon Davis as well as performing with Mark Whitfield and I am just having the best time, so I am looking forward to doing more of that. There are a couple of projects in the works with Roy Hargrove Legacy. But overall I can’t say that I have any specific plans to share, so we'll just have to wait and see."