James Farm Project returns to Jazz Alley: A Conversation with Aaron Parks

James Farm Project plays Jazz Alley September 27-29

It was 11 or 12 years ago, shortly after I moved out to Seattle, that a good friend clued me in on one of the best jazz scenes in town. I was a bit surprised when that ‘scene’ happened to be at the Tully’s on 4th and Union. But even more surprised by what I heard coming from the cramped corner of the coffee shop.

It was definitely a group on the younger side - some of the players were just entering high school. But it was immediately clear that Aaron Parks, the 15 year old kid behind the keyboards, was destined for bigger venues.

Fast forward 12 years and Aaron Parks has become a standout in the new crop of young lions defining today’s jazz scene. After leaving Seattle at 16, Parks hooked up with Terence Blanchard - one of the most sought after jazz musicians of the day. In fact, Parks can be heard on Blanchard’s Grammy-winning "A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)” as well as on soundtracks for Spike Lee’s movies “She Hate Me” and “When the Levees Broke.” And when he isn’t touring or in the studio collaborating with others Parks lays down his own tracks which you can hear on his critically acclaimed release Invisible Cinema put out by Blue Note.

Parks is back in town this week touring with some pretty heavy cats including Joshua Redman, Matt Penman and Eric Harland. Collectively they tour as the James Farm Project and will bring their melodic-driven set for a three-night run starting Tuesday night at Jazz Alley.

I had a chance to catch up with Aaron on the phone as the group’s tour was making its way to Seattle. Originally from Seattle, but now living in Brooklyn, Aaron was excited about getting back and visiting some of his old Seattle haunts. We talked about some of his early influences, new projects and what folks can expect from the James Farm Project as they take the stage at Jazz Alley. An excerpt of our conversations follows.

Was there one defining event or experience that jump started your career?

It was really a matter of a lot of small things that went right, that I got lucky with and that I worked hard at. Having amazing teachers growing up in the Seattle area, who just really encouraged me to keep trying to find my own voice and didn’t force feed me anything. I feel lucky about being able to develop at my own pace - having teachers who’ve guided me towards things that I was curious about rather than having so much of a strict agenda. Because it allowed be to develop my own relationship with music coming from the ear, coming from an emotional place rather that a technical place.

Who would you count among some of your musical influences?

There have been so many different periods where I had some sort if star that I was navigating by; so to speak…something I was pointing my compass toward. And at times, when I was younger, it would be someone like Keith Jarrett. Then I went through a period of time when I was only listening to rock bands…Radiohead and Blonde Redhead…and so many other things. And electronic music like Aphex Twin, Boys of Canada and The Opiates.

Right now I’m going back and checking out a lot of jazz - which I’m really enjoying. I took a drive today and I was listening to Duke Ellington at Newport with Paul Gonsalves’ solo - which rules. I’m listening to old Miles with Red Garland playing. And I’m just really fascinated by that. But it changes all the time. There’s classical music…there’s just so many, many influences. And you know, it all gets mixed up and hopefully something that’s semi-coherent comes out of the whole mess.

What can people expect when they hear you perform with the James Farm Project?

We’re going to be playing song-driven music. One of the things about this band that I really like is that everyone writes songs that have a way of lingering in your ear after the show is over - they’re strong and melodic. Hopefully we’ll deliver the songs in a way that the melody is just going to come through. But then there is a lot of chance taking. Josh (Redman) never plays the same way at all two nights in a row. He is always searching, always looking for ways to find a way beyond - find a way to transcend. The same thing goes for everyone in this band.

Do you have any new, personal projects in the works?

I’m gearing up - starting to make preparations for a new project right now. I didn’t want to rush into doing something just because you’re supposed to keep things moving. I wanted to make sure I was ready for something else that I really believed in - had enough songs without throw away material. And I feel good right now where things are at so I’m planning this winter to document something new. It’s still taking form but it’s definitely going to be with a friend of mine, Pete Rende, who does some really great keyboard work. So it’s going to have both piano and analog synth. And I’m looking to bring in a producer to help bring it all together - so we’ll see how that takes shape.

Do you have any favorite Seattle haunts you want to visit while you are back in town?

Oh man… I always try to make it down to this place called Travelers. It’s a little place on the way up to Capitol Hill that has vegetarian/Indian food and the best cup of chai tea that you can find. I also always find my way to Pike Place Market, even though it’s like the thing that everybody does. But I just always need to get my smoked salmon fix. And I’ll see if there are some old friends of mine who are playing in town. And Tula’s (jazz club)…I always like to go and check out what’s happening on the local scene.

The James Farm Project plays Jazz Alley September 27-29. Check out Jazz Alley for showtimes and ticket information.