'Working with a full orchestra for the first time was incredible': Musician Jesse Harris

Jesse Harris Interview – Perspectives on Music & Collaboration

Key Concepts: Songwriting, Orchestral Arrangement, Music Production, Collaboration, Technological Impact on Music, Artistic Evolution, Cover Songs, Instrumental Music.

Introduction & Album Context

The interview features Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer, guitarist, and producer Jesse Harris, discussing his new album, If You Believed in Me. Harris is known for collaborations with artists like Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, and Smokey Robinson. He is currently performing concerts in Paris, specifically at the Juke de Lumba on Friday and Saturday night. The discussion centers around the unique process behind the album’s creation, heavily influenced by a collaboration with a Brazilian composer and an orchestra in Estonia.

The "Dolores" Story & Orchestral Collaboration

The album’s genesis began with a song called “Dolores,” a relatively simple arrangement initially. A fortuitous connection with Michael Nanias, a Brazilian composer and arranger working with an orchestra in Estonia, led to an unexpected opportunity. Nanias offered to add orchestral arrangements to “Dolores,” and the resulting beauty inspired Harris to create an entire album utilizing this approach. Harris emphasized the “gifts” and “treasures” provided by Nanias’ arrangements. He unfortunately wasn’t able to travel to Estonia to work with the orchestra in person, but the process of sending tracks back and forth proved successful.

Remote Recording & Technological Advancements

The album was recorded in a non-traditional manner, with parts recorded in New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Estonia. Harris acknowledged the ease with which music can now be created remotely, contrasting it with the limitations of tape-based recording in the past. He explained that songs can now be recorded to a click track, converted to MP3s, and sent for overdubs from anywhere in the world. The “click track” (a metronome-like signal) was specifically crucial for synchronizing the orchestra. Harris noted that while basic, this technology is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of modern music production capabilities.

Impact of Technology on Music

The conversation touched upon the broader impact of technology on music. While acknowledging potential downsides, Harris believes technology can improve music, particularly in facilitating collaborations like the one with the orchestra. He highlighted that the ability to combine recordings from different locations is a significant advancement.

Songwriting Process & Artistic Focus

Harris identifies primarily as a songwriter. He stated his aim is to continually improve his own records. Working with the orchestra has “elevated” his recording process, shifting his focus to the core of the song – the melody, vocals, and guitar – and then embellishing it with orchestral arrangements. He’s recently begun experimenting with writing lyrics before the music, a new approach for him.

Collaboration & Vocal Contributions

The album features guest vocals from Norah Jones and French singer Marine Kee, alongside harmonica playing by Jake Sherman. Harris described a process of refinement with Kee’s contribution to a French-language track, ultimately removing his own vocals to enhance the song’s overall sound.

The Art of the Cover Song & Maintaining Fidelity

Harris discussed the challenges and importance of respecting the original intent of a song when creating a cover. He believes a good cover should remain “faithful to the melody” and that the best singers maintain the essence of the song even while adding their own interpretation. He cited Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday as examples of singers who delivered songs faithfully while still imbuing them with their unique style. He emphasized that a great singer’s strength lies in their ability to deliver the song, not reinvent it.

Artistic Evolution & Future Projects

Harris has released over 20 albums in more than 20 years. He admitted to having a catalog with some songs he now considers less essential, reflecting a growing commitment to releasing only his strongest work. He described a shift from a “more the better” ethos to a more focused approach, prioritizing quality over quantity. He is currently working on another orchestral album with the same arranger and plans to record a new album with his instrumental group, Cosmo, which focuses on his instrumental compositions.

Current Performances & Ticket Availability

Harris is performing at the Duke de Lombard in Paris on Friday and Saturday nights with a string quartet and small ensemble. As of the interview, most shows were sold out, with limited tickets remaining for Friday’s second set.

Notable Quotes:

• “It was incredible [working with an orchestra]. Unfortunately, I never went to Estonia to work with him in person, but I would record my songs and send them to Mike and he would write his arrangements and then send me back these treasures, these gifts, you know.” – Jesse Harris, describing the collaborative process.
• “A good cover of a song…should be faithful to the melody and and um if you if you really look, the best singers are faithful to the melody even when they make their own adjustments.” – Jesse Harris, on the art of the cover song.
• “Today, you you can record a song to a click track, put it up on a, you know, make an MP3 and send it to someone. they can add overdubs wherever they are.” – Jesse Harris, on the impact of technology.

Technical Terms:

• Orchestral Arrangement: The adaptation of a musical composition for an orchestra, involving assigning parts to different instruments.
• Click Track: A metronomic signal used during recording to maintain a consistent tempo.
• Overdubs: Additional recordings layered on top of existing tracks.
• MP3: A common audio file format used for digital music distribution.
• String Quartet: A musical ensemble consisting of two violins, a viola, and a cello.

Logical Connections:

The interview flows logically from an introduction of Harris and his new album to a detailed exploration of the album’s unique creation process. The discussion then broadens to encompass the impact of technology on music, Harris’s songwriting philosophy, and his future projects. The conversation consistently returns to the theme of collaboration and the importance of artistic fidelity.

Data/Statistics:

• Jesse Harris has released over 20 albums in more than 20 years.
• Concerts at the Duke de Lombard were largely sold out.

Conclusion:

Jesse Harris’s new album, If You Believed in Me, represents a significant artistic evolution, driven by a unique collaboration with a Brazilian composer and an orchestra. The album’s creation highlights the transformative power of technology in modern music production, enabling remote collaboration and innovative arrangements. Harris’s commitment to songwriting, artistic fidelity, and continuous improvement underscores his dedication to his craft and promises exciting developments in his future projects.