We’re back with our Music Spotlight Series and joining us today is Andrae Alexander, a singer, songwriter, pianist, and producer from Los Angeles. The talented jazz artist just released his new single, “I Want to Know”, July 19 on all digital platforms.
We are delighted that he took time from his busy schedule which includes teaching music to tell us a little bit about himself and what we can expect from his upcoming music project.
Your bio is impressive and extremely versatile. Which came first the composing or the singing and performing?
Thank you! Performing started for me as a child when I started taking piano lessons in the 3rd grade, composing came next when I started junior high school and fell in love with jazz improv, and singing happened in high school. Coming from a family of singers, I knew that the tone of my voice was different and I had to grow to appreciate that difference.
Tell us about the upcoming Jazz festival you will be playing in LA.
I’ll be performing at the Central Avenue Jazz Festival on the 29th of July. Having been in Los Angeles for 9 years, it is a privilege to be a part of this festival that has been happening in the city for 23 years. Also, I’m extremely excited because this is the first time I’ll be performing at a festival as a solo artist. I have a phenomenal 8-piece band performing with me that I call “The Greats”. Every musician is masterful, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience what we have to offer.
Who have been the strongest role models in your life.
This is a difficult question to answer because of the fear that I could possibly leave out a name. Besides my mom, Alicia Graham, and my entire family, I have been privileged to learn from teachers and mentors who may not all be “famous”, but who are absolutely world-class. I have had band teachers like Mr. Brown and Mr. Gill who went above and beyond to pick me up from my house and drive me to festivals in middle and junior high school, Mrs. Roma Hart who taught me piano until I went to high school, Mr. Jones, Dr. Todd, Mr. Hackett, Timothy Deal, Mrs. Evita, my family church in Brandywine, MD who gave me the safe space to practice and learn without judgement, No I.D. for teaching me to turn jazz chords into something that is commercially relevant, Jesse “Corparal” Wilson for being a big brother, Allee Willis who is my fairy godmother, Fonze and Marta, all of my adopted family in Los Angeles, my Marine Corps and Navy family, my musician friends all over the world who I’ve played and partied with, Dewaynia, Donte, Seven, and everyone who I’ve had the privilege of calling a friend, brother, sister, mentor, student, they all inspire me and are my role models. Oh yeah, Mr. Rogers and Johnny Costa, the piano player on his show.
Is teaching music the same as creating music?
In order to teach a group, you have to be able to present a concept in multiple ways so that the majority of that group understands what it is you are teaching. I said that to say, yes, teaching music is the same as creating music because of the courses that I teach. I teach film scoring, video game music, reality TV show music, Epic movie score music, music production, and synthesis by demonstrating these concepts in front of the class. Having to score in real-time while answer questions under the time constraints of the class setting has made me more confident in my ability to create under pressure.
Where do you teach?
I teach at The Los Angeles Film School, Amazing Grace Conservatory, Urban Possibilities, and at workshops and conferences.
Tell us about a few of your favorite live shows.
I wasn’t performing, but I had the opportunity to watch Ricky Minor lead the Tonight Show band for Jay Leno over the period of a few months. Seeing someone so iconic leading a band that talented was inspiring. Also, opening for Jill Scott on her Real Thing tour was a highlight, getting to watch one of my idols perform night after night was life-changing. Another gig was in Norway at a small bar that let me and a few of my Navy band friends play before they closed. We had just finished playing for the Crown Prince of Norway and wanted to perform. When we started, there were 2-3 people in the place, by the time we finished, the place was packed. It was one of my favorite moments because it was the first time I really felt the exchange of energy that takes place between a musician and the audience.
Please share with us the title of your new book and the inspiration behind it.
My book is titled, “Build Your Music Career from Scratch – Second Edition”. This book came from the years of me figuring out how to piece together a career in the music industry. I didn’t have a blueprint or the knowledge of basic concepts like copyrights. Instead of letting others stumble like I did, I wanted to help by putting together a book that would help lay the foundation for a career in music. Now that I am a few months away from completing my Master’s Degree in music business, I am excited to share even more insight.
When does your new single arrive and is it self-produced?
My new single, “I Want to Know” is available on July 19th, 2018 at all major streaming and online music retail sites. Yes, I wrote and produced this single myself; my friend Omer Fedi played the guitar and took an amazing solo on it for me.
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