A Conversation with Judy Carmichael

By Alan Cooper

Judy Carmichael will playing at the Harbision Theater, Saturday, February 4 at 7:30 pm.  You can purchase tickets here.

Nicknamed “Stride” by the great Count Basie, GRAMMY-nominated pianist and vocalist Judy Carmichael is one of the world’s leading interpreters of stride piano and swing. 

MidlandsBiz:
Tell me a little about you and your background.

Judy Carmichael:
I was a German major at college; not a music major.  I took piano lessons when I was a young girl and I guess I had a knack for it, or at least that is what people told me. Growing up in California, I really wanted to be an actress and I would use my piano playing more as a gimmick to get noticed at auditions.  My ragtime tunes became my ‘talent’ at these auditions.

I have had a very unusual music career. Early in my twenties, someone exposed me to the music of Count Basie…and I absolutely fell in love with it.  I wanted to play like that!  I had no formal background in music theory so I taught myself by listening to cassette tapes. When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the music of the 30’s and 40’s, the American standards, and the movies and music of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.  Even though those were not the movies of my generation, I watched them over and over.  When it came time to play that type of jazz, I already a good feel for it, a good sense of time and swing.  One thing led to another, I kept getting work and here I am today still doing what I love.  It certainly has not been an easy, ‘get discovered’ kind of a career.  I was very fortunate to have met many of the greats – Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn, Benny Carter – and they were very encouraging of my playing.  They were the ones who convinced me that I had something unique and special and to forge ahead.

MidlandsBiz:
What might expect to see in terms music at your concert?

Judy Carmichael:
I am very grateful to be playing in Columbia; it’s been a long time in the making. I love playing in the South.  I have found audiences to be engaged and enthusiastic.  I am looking forward to it.

I will be performing with my long-time musical partner, guitarist, Chris Flory, one of the greatest, blues-based jazz guitarists playing today.  One of Chris’ first gigs ever was playing with the Benny Goodman.  We have been playing together since the late 80’s.  Duos are very special because of the interaction between the players.  We will be doing many of the great American standards as well as a few originals.  There will be some blues and some boogie, all in a similar, swing style.

MidlandsBiz:
What is important to you as a performer.

Judy Carmichael:
Most important is that I communicate with the audience.  A lot jazz of musicians, and classical musicians for that matter, don’t do a great job of interacting with the audience.  It ends up being more of a voyeuristic experience.  I am the opposite of that.  I am aware that the audience is giving me the gift of their precious time. I want to make sure that everyone in the audience has a fantastic time. If I’m having fun, then the audience will too.

The most important thing is for the audience to be entertained and for the music to be pure, to have every note come from the heart.  Count Basie used to sign off at his concerts with this: “Straight ahead and strive for tone.”  I love that!  It’s a great metaphor for life.