By Kathleen Whitlow
Our writer, Kathleen Whitlow, had an opportunity to sit down with local jazz musician, James Saxsmo Gates, who appears on the cover of this issue of River City Magazine. Here is a portion of their conversation:
KW So James, I hear the new CD is doing extremely well. Congratulations!
JSG Yes, Thank you very much. The CD has been picked up by the national jazz station, Smooth Jazz, and they are now endorsing me. It’s a very exciting time. The title song It’s Time, which is track number one on the CD, is in the top 50 on Smooth Jazz. On April 7th it was at #45.
KW That’s wonderful. Have you always known that music would be the route that you would take?
JSG I never had any doubt. Everything I did and everyone around me had to do with music when I was growing up. My mother was a dancer at the Cotton Club in New York City and my father was a professional saxophonist. I remember my class being asked, when I was in grade school, “What type of instrument would you like to play?” The question was asked by a man named John Peyton, who happened to be a friend of my dad, and I said that I would like to play the flute. John Peyton told me, “You will not play the flute, you will play the sax, end of discussion.” And so I did. All of my instructors growing up were friends of my father. Music was it from day one.
KW So your family, namely your father, had a big influence on your decision to pursue music?
JSG Definitely. My CD that is out right now is actually dedicated to my father. The music that is on this album is very emotional because of the fact that I have dedicated it to my father. I wrote much of what you’ll find on this recording. Playing the saxophone really made my dad come to life.
My father was depressed for many years, but one day we got him the horn of his dreams and the person that he used to be and that he wanted to be just came rushing back. It’s kind of a funny story. We actually made a swap with a man to get my father an incredible horn, the King Super 20.
Dad had a newer horn, but it was by no means a good one. We went to go look at this horn that a lawyer in town was selling and realized that it was a King Super 20, but the man had no idea what that was. So we got him to swap what looked like an old, beat-up horn for a shiny new one, that wasn’t the best for playing.
When my father got in the car with this new horn he cried and hugged it and I could just see him come to life. That’s how passionate he was about the sax. Before my dad passed away he gave me his horn because he wanted me to play it and for it to be with me forever. And I do play it from time to time. His is a tenor and mine is an alto.
KW What about your saxophone, how long have you been playing with it?
JSG I would have to say since 1989. I too have a King Super 20. The King Super 20 is lightweight, made out of bullet shells in the 1940s. They are pretty rare so I am lucky to have one. A friend of mine found out that someone he knew through another friend owned four King Super 20’s and he knew that I would be interested. So I went up to Boston and tried to get him to sell me one but he wouldn’t do it, not for any price. It took me awhile, but then four years later I got a call saying that he was willing to sell one but I had to come right then. At this time I was living back in Richmond and he was in Boston. So I jumped in the car with a friend and we drove up to Boston that very day. Now this horn was not in very good shape so I took it to Amillio Lyons, AKA the Sax Doctor. He was able to fix the horn so that it not only looked beautiful but it sounded amazing also.
KW Does your horn have a name?
JSG Of course! My mother, who was always at my performances, without me even having to ask, was the inspiration for the name of my horn. When I was a kid she used to make all kinds of sweets so I would call her, “Sugar Cake.” And that is the name of my horn today. This horn is so important to me and that is why I chose to name it after my mother.
KW I guess when you find an instrument that you can, as trite as it may sound, make beautiful music with; it really just becomes a part of you.
JSG Exactly. My horn is very valuable to me. I think that it has helped to develop my personality and has helped me grow as an individual. When I was living in New York, I was walking back from a rehearsal one afternoon around 3 o’clock, through the Times Square area and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, I was jumped. Three guys attacked me in broad daylight and took everything that I had, my wallet, my money, etc, but then I looked down at the ground and there was my horn. They took everything that meant nothing to me and left the one thing that I could not do without. That just goes to show you how priceless this horn really is to me.
KW Being a top jazz musician I’m sure that you have a lot going on right now. What else are you working on, Saxsmo?
JSG Well I just got accepted into North Carolina Central University for their Graduate program in Jazz Studies. The program is brand new to the school and I will be the first student in this phenomenal program. I had to go down to NCCU for an interview for a scholarship and they actually had me teach for an entire week. I loved it! I felt like I was a kid in a candy store. It was like; I’m home. I received a full scholarship and will basically be getting to arrange the curriculum. This is my passion and I am so eager to start this program in August.
KW I know you are from Richmond, so I’m sure that you have some performances coming up here?
JSG Well I’ve been playing every Friday might at Infuzion Lounge with a great group of musicians, leader Kip Williams(drums), Steve Kessler(piano), and Matt Hall(bass). I’m in the process of setting up performances in New York and DC. I will be playing at Twins Jazz Club on July 11th and 12th, which is one the leading jazz places in D.C.
KW Considering how talented you are, I’m sure that you have had the chance to work with many great performers. Care to drop any names?
JSG Thank you. Well I have been very blessed with my career. I have gotten to collaborate with the great Larry Carlton (formerly with Steely Dan), Joe Kennedy and Fred Wesley, who’s on my current album, and so many more. It really is great to have been able to work with so many talented people.
KW Besides all of the excitement surrounding your new CD and performing what else do you have your hand in?
JSG I was approached by the director of bands, Mr. Duane Coston, at Lee Davis High School and was asked to become their director of Jazz, because they needed some help. So they brought me on to run the program. I also give private lessons on the saxophone.
KW What do you see for James Saxsmo Gates in the future?
JSG I run across so many students that have no outlet. They have nowhere to go but they are so talented. I would like to have my own Academy of The Arts Private School. The closest thing we have like this here in Richmond is the Jazz Academy which is sponsored by the Richmond Jazz Society. Bill McGee and myself are planning to, one day, hold a musician’s forum so that musicians can come together to talk about the music business. We want to hold the forum at the Omni Hotel. The Richmond Jazz Society has really been so important to me as well as others here in Richmond! Robert Payne and B.J. Brown have been like family to me and to so many others so they really need to receive much of the credit for much that I’ve done! The Richmond Jazz Society is the only Organization here in Richmond that really promotes Jazz all over the State! Thanks you so much B.J. and my brother, Robert Payne. Bright Moments!
KW We look forward to seeing what your future in jazz will bring.
JSG I look forward to continuing to pursue my passion and sharing it with the world.
For more information on James Saxsmo Gates and his new CD It’s Time, please visit: www.saxsmo.com & www.myspace.com/saxsmo.com or go to www.youtube.com and search for James Saxsmo Gates.
Phototgraphy by Vince Robertson
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