GoLocal Interview: Bruce Hornsby
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
When it comes to Bruce Hornsby, you never quite know what to expect musically… and in his case, that’s a good thing. The popular keyboardist has recorded jazz, classical, rock and more, and played with artists as diverse as The Grateful Dead, Ricky Scaggs and jazz great Christian McBride. He’s constantly evolving as a musician and you’ll get a chance to see and hear for yourself this Labor Day weekend, when Hornsby will be headlining the Rhythm and Roots Festival in Charlestown, RI.
Hornsby is probably best known as the singer behind “The Way It Is,” his piano based hit that led to a Grammy award in 1987 for “Best New Artist.” He followed up in 1990 with another Grammy this time for “Best Bluegrass Album.” Unlike many popular artists, he didn’t stick with his primary instrument (and the one that made him famous), the piano. Nor has he stuck to a particular style of songwriting.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn an interview with GoLocal, Hornsby explained “I'm a lifelong student, always in search of new inspiration and new musical areas to explore, and new literary areas to explore as a reader, to broaden my knowledge and aesthetic as a writer and a curious person in the world. So I guess I would say that my stylistic journey over the years has been a natural and organic one, based on what moves and interests me.”
Bruce Hornsby
Hornsby has had a remarkable career three decades since winning his first Grammy Award. He’s performed in a variety of formats and has played major events including Farm Aid, Bonnaroo and the Newport Jazz Festival. He’s played on over 100 records with artists as diverse as the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, and Bela Fleck. His musical influences are widespread, but it was his keyboard playing that first earned him notoriety.
“I got interested in the piano at age 17 because of Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection album and Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen record with all that great Leon Russell piano. So Elton and Leon, and then Keith Jarrett, who led me to Bill Evans, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, Bud Powell, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, and now modern classical music, composers like Elliott Carter, Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, Olivier Messiaen, Gyorgy Ligeti, and more. My style comes from a combination of these disparate stylistic elements, and is often described as "Bill Evans meets the Hymnal, with some blues thrown in.”
Rehab Reunion
His latest album Rehab Reunion, released in June, has Hornsby playing solely on dulcimer, supported by his current backing band The Noisemakers. The album, which features guests Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and Mavis Staples, is a “stringy affair” according to Hornsby.
"Rehab Reunion is our dulcimer record, a collection of songs written on the instrument. It's a very stringy affair: dulcimer, mandolin, fiddle, acoustic guitar and electric. This album has been coming ever so gradually since about 1996 when I bought a dulcimer at the Galax Old-Time Fiddler's Convention. It is clearly different from any other record I've made, but is reminiscent or tangentially related stylistically to two others- the Skaggs-Hornsby bluegrass records of 2007 and 2013, and my first record of 1986.”
Expect to hear selections from the new album at the Festival, along with Hornsby classics and few surprises. He usually throws in a tune or two from his years with the Grateful Dead. In fact, Dead fans are a big part of his fan base. He noted, “Our audience has become more diverse; with a broader age range, everyone from grandpas to young bohemians.”
In our interview, Hornsby shared a memorable “career” movement.
“I think I felt it was possible that I had 'made it' in 1986 while 'in makeup' before the British chat show Terry Wogan. All of a sudden Elton John, who was also on the show, roared into the room wearing a Tina Turner wig and threw his arms around me while giving me a beautiful compliment! 18 years later Elton and I also did a duet, which was such a wonderful moment.”
Rhythm and Roots
The Rhythm and Roots Festival is certainly a good fit for the multi-talented musician. Hornsby is looking forward to playing at Ninigret Park, although he expressed one area of concern.
“I'm an acoustic musician, whether on the piano, the accordion, or the dulcimer, so I often feel inadequate sonically in larger spaces. Also, the way I want to play the piano doesn't really connect in large venues. That said, I love playing festivals because they often place us in front of audiences that may not really be familiar with what we do, or may have a preconceived notion based on a small knowledge of our music. Hopefully they're pleasantly surprised.”
In its 36th year, the Festival (which began as the Cajun and Bluegrass Festival) continues to be one of the top festival events in the country. This year’s line-up is particularly strong, with other headliners including Lucinda Williams, Taj Mahal and David Grisman. About 2/3rd of the performers are new this year, and fan favorites like The Revelers, Donna the Buffalo and Sarah Potenza are returning.
Stay tuned! GoLocal Music Critic Ken Abrams and Photographer Rick Farrell will bring you all the highlights at the Rhythm and Roots Festival over Labor Day Weekend. Further information and tickets are available here.
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