september 2001 interview-continued

Jerry Vivino-saxophonist
by Laura Harrison
 

PAGE TWO L.H. Every job has its highs and lows. Tell us about some of the highs on the show and some of the lows.  J.V. The high is showing up every day and seeing the Cats. We ( the band  ) are like family. The lows? There aren't any. I'm having a ball.  L.H. You tour some with your own group and other bands. What part of your career do you enjoy doing the most? J.V.The show is the ultimate. You know, the steadiness...the security  and the fact that we get to play with so many great people. Outside of the  show my favorite gig is Keely Smiths. I also have my own jazz quartet. We  work 3 or 4 times a month in the city. My most memorable gig was at the  Guggenheim Museum in NYC.  My jazz quartet performed at a fund raiser for the  Lincoln Center Jazz program. Wynton Marsalis was the speaker. He ended up  playing for a full set with us. My group that night was vibes, upright bass,  drums and sax. Wynton took us all to another level. He is by far the greatest  trumpeter I have ever had the privilage to play with. It was a thrilling  experience. Making my own cd's is always  L.H. It looks like Max is a really loud drummer. Is volume ever an issue on the show? Do you have your own monitor mix? J.V.  I have my own ear monitors. I couldn't do the show without  them.  L.H.  Horn players are well known for being practical jokers. Do you guys play jokes on each other during the show? J.V.  Never do we play jokes during the show .  We are always  clowning around during the rehearsals or hang time. L.H. The music scene in L.A. is dismal for jazz musicians. There is almost nowhere to perform, and L.A. seems to be a capitol of "smooth jazz" which is rapidly losing its audience and not selling hardly any product for most of its artists according to our sources. What is the east coast scene like and how do most musicians support themselves? J.V.  Same thing here. Clubs are closing. The only steady things here  are Broadway Shows and Club Dates. I think you cats call them casuals.  L.H.  Do you have your own website? What about your sax reeds and stuff?  J.V.  I don't have a website...although I'm thinking about starting  one. I just worry about having the time to dedicate to such a site. I have  the 2 little girls and the most wonderfull and suportive wife a guy could ask  for. I'm kind of a throw back to the old time session Cats...the phone  rings....I take the gig.....I still practice and write almost every day. I'm  taking a family vacation for 2 weeks this month. Can't wait!   As far as  reeds and mouthpieces...I get them for free.....who cares?  I know one thing  for sure. When I get out to the West Coast, I hope I'll once again get to jam  and hang with Rob. That would be fun.  L.H. That's all the questions I have Jerry. Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us. Jump to Rob Mullins main website. Jump to the Discography page. Jump to the COOL GIGS Page.