Tob : you began your professional career at 16 years old. How was your passion born ?
HJ : I'm not sure exactly how I discovered the drums. I think I'd seen Buddy Rich on tv at some point, but my parents said that I was always banging on things from the time I was a toddler. My older sisters were always blasting the radio singing along, dancing and having fun. It all came very naturally and music was always around me.
Tob : how old were you when you started playing the drums ?
HJ : I was 14 years old when I got my first drumset. A couple of years prior to that, I had joined a drumcorps and started learning all the rudiments. That was invaluable and a great way to start, because when I finally did get my drumset, my hands were already very developed. It was also a very disciplined learning structure and helped lay a good foundation for my practice habits.
Tob : y ou played in the Army, what did this experience bring to you ?
HJ : Actually, it was the United States Navy. I played in the band in San Francisco and it was a great experience. It gave me just that... a lot of experience! I was called upon to play so many different styles, big band, small jazz combo, rock, latin, funk. It became a great stepping stone because I was playing gigs and practicing all the time.
Tob : You are playing on DW. Can you describe your set ?
HJ : Sure. I usually play a standard 5 piece kit. The sizes are: 22"x18" bass drum, 12"x8", 9"x13" toms, and a 15"x13" floor tom. My snare is a standard 14"x5". Lately though, I have been using a 4 piece configuration with just the 12" tom mounted over th bass drum. I also use Zildjian cymbals and and have a vast array of cymbals to choose from, depending on what kind of music I'm playing, but currently I am generally using a 22" Medium K Ride, 18" K Custom Crash, and 19" Custom Crash, and 15" K custom Hi-Hats.
Tob : Have you ever felt that you have to show more abilities because you are a female drummer ?
HJ : Not really. I mean, I've always had high standards for myself, so my focus is more about doing what I do, the best I can. Playing well is playing well, whether one is male or female.
Tob : How do you explain that there aren't many female drummers at an internationnal level ?
HJ : Not really sure how to explain it. It is a curious thing, but not something I ever spent a great deal of time thinking about. Maybe there aren't as many females drawn to playing the drums, or perhaps some are drawn to it without making it a full time carreer choice. For the ones that do, I sure have heard some excellent players.
Tob : what pieces of advices would you give to a young female drummer, who would like to begin his professionnal career, ( as young as you were, when you started yours) in a world, which is still being ruled by men?
HJ : Well, I would tell a young girl the same thing I would tell a young boy. To practice diligently, listen to a lot of different kinds of music, and try to play with other musicians as much as possible. Getting into the music business and making a living this way is hard for everyone. There is a lot of work involved and everyone experiences some setbacks. Just keep going and go for it.
I never bought into the thinking that I may have had less of a chance because I was female. I think it's kind of a self sabotaging mentality. So I would never even suggest it to a young player. The best advise I could ever give is for someone to just do the very best they can. Pay attention to working on your craft and improving and don't concern yourself about any percieved obstacle.
Tob : As a female musician, do you think it is sometimes dificult to reconcile your professional life with your private life ?
HJ : As I get older, I think the thing I find to be increasingly difficult to reconcile is the time away from my loved ones. This profession at times, requires lots of travel, and I do enjoy it. But after a certain amount of time, I start to get a little homesick, which is natural I suppose.
Tob : Drumming is currently your main way of expression, but is there another one ?
HJ : Yes. I write and sing also. I released my first solo CD a few years ago and am anxious to do another one to follow that up. I found it to be extremely rewarding. The writing thing really opens up a whole new wonderful world of expression !
Tob : If you had the opportunity to create your own dream band, first, which music would you play (jazz,rock...) ; and who would be the musicians you wish to play with ? And imagine, you could really choose anyone you want among people you admire ! Can you tell us about this choice ?
HJ : This is a hard one to answer because there are so many I admire. How could I choose? LOL...I suppose stylistically, the music would be eclectic...strong songs with some improvisational opportunity as well. The dream band would include Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck, Jan Hammer, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Paul Rodgers, Bela Fleck, and Michael Brecker! But there are a few bands I'd love to be in...Elton John's band, Sting, and Paul McCartney's band. I love songs and great songwriters so to be able to play those great songs live would be amazing !
Tob : Did the artists with whom you worked, allow you to express yourself fully artistically ?
HJ : Pretty much, yes.
Tob : You have performed with artists, in differents musical styles (Badi Assad, Lee Ritenour, and many many others) ; Your cd Soaring has different musical styles too. Can you tell us more about this cd ?
HJ : Well, as I mentioned, it is my first solo effort. I am really proud of this record and I am happy with the finished product. Basically, the music represents the core musical influences that I grew up on; American roots music. It is very organic sounding and made the good old fashioned way, all recorded analog instead of digitaly. The styles on it are all over the map however, there is a thread throughout the whole record that seems to tie it
all together, so it kind of takes you on a bit of a musical journey and
brings you back. It is mostly instrumental but I did cover two tunes which are vocal tunes. People know of me as an instrumentalist, but I wanted to introduce them to the fact that I sing as well so I included those. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to do my next one.
Tob : Is it sold in France ? It looks as if it was pretty hard to be found.
HJ : At the moment you can get it through me only. Anyone interested may inquire by emailing me here: rocknrolljones@hotmail.com
Tob : have you released a teaching video yet ?
HJ : Not as of yet. It's something I'd really like to do, so hopefully that can happen soon.
Tob : will French drummers have the opportunity to see you soon somewhere in France ?
HJ : if I am out there on tour, yes. I usually don't know where I am going until I receive a tour itinerary...lol ...perhaps sometime this year. I'd love to see Paril as I've never been. I have been to all kinds of places in france but never Paris ! Can you believe it ?
Tob : do you have any projects ?
HJ : Yes I do. I finished up a cd a little while ago which was a trio consisting of bassist Andy West (formerly of the Dixie Dregs), Myself, and Joaquin Lievano (formerly of the Jean Luc Ponty Band) on guitar. The project is called FWAP and is instrumental with some vocals (sung by Joaquin). The music is interesting and I had loads of fun working on that. There is another project that I will start work on this year but to early to describe as of yet.
Tob : To finish with, this is our traditional question : if you had to go and have a drink with someone dead or alive : who would it be and why ?
HJ : Thomas Jefferson. Because I would love to talk with one of the great forefathers of my country.
Tob : La Toile des Batteurs ("The Web of Drummers") wants to thank you so much for answering the questions (sorry for our English !), and of course, we wish you the best for your future projects.
HJ : Thank you so much. It has been an honor and a pleasure to speak with you. Thanks for allowing me to participate in "The Web Of Drummers"!
Nala - Décembre 2005
