During the 2014 Jazz Cruise, JazzTimes set up a make-shift video production studio in “The Digital Workshop,” on the second deck of the MS Eurodam. Throughout the week, a succession of artists-including Tommy Igoe, Gary Versace, Marcus Miller, Jennifer Wharton, Benny Green, Bruce Forman, Willie Jones III and many others-came in to talk about the cruise, jazz education and their own projects. You can see more of these video interviews at the JazzTimes YouTube channel.
Drummer Lewis Nash hails from Phoenix, Arizona, but has been a fixture on the NYC jazz scene for many years. He’s played with a virtual who’s who of jazz, done hundreds of recordings, and also has led his own groups.
In this In Person set of interview segments, Nash spoke about his early development as a drummer, his important mentors such as Betty Carter, Cedar Walton and Mulgrew Miller, his own working trio with Renee Rosnes and Peter Washington, and the creation of The Nash, an education and performing arts center in Phoenix named in his honor. He also talks about his recent efforts as a singer.
Nash on his early musical development:
Nash on Betty Carter and Mulgrew Miller:
Nash on Cedar Walton, Renee Rosnes and Peter Washington:
Nash on The Nash in Phoenix:
Nash on his second career as a singer:
Interviews done by Irene Lee. Video production by Lee Mergner.