Danny Fox is Taking Care of It
Composer/pianist Danny Fox melds jazz and modern classical music on his latest album, Time Took Care of It. The work contains some of the most poignant and creative compositions of his career and, not for nothing, John Schaefer over at WNYC’s New Sounds praised Fox’s for “changing the sound and expectation of a jazz piano trio.” In celebration of this new record, Fox is taking the trio on the road—with a stop in Framingham at atac on Thursday April 13. Grab tickets right here. In advance, we asked Danny some Qs.
atac: Who are you?
Danny Fox: I'm Danny Fox, a Brooklyn-based pianist/composer, good eater, occasional comedy writer, cold-water swimmer, and recent horror-movie convert.
atac: Before we dive in, what movie converted you?
DF: My fiancé watches so much horror…I had no choice but to jump on the bandwagon! I’ve developed a taste for satanic horror, Rosemary’s Baby being a favorite.
atac: This interview is no dream! This interview is really happening! Sorry. So, what’s you’re background?
DF: I grew up in NYC. My parents exposed my brother and me to a good range of music, from NY Philharmonic Young People's Concerts—where I was mainly excited about the M&Ms at intermission—to folk and bluegrass like Pete Seeger, Doc Watson, etc. My older brother is a drummer and one summer he came back from a music camp with loads of albums in tow. He played Miles Davis Milestones on a family car trip and I was mesmerized.
atac: Who’s in the trio—for the atac gig specifically?
DF: It's been the same lineup for 15 years! I met our bassist, Chris, when I was at Harvard and he was playing on the Boston scene. He played some of the first music I ever wrote...probably in a dorm living room. I met our drummer, Max, at a session shortly after I moved back to NYC and we became fast friends. We are proud to be a working group for this long.
atac: The record store is on fire and you only have time to save four! What are you grabbing?
DF: Any record by Mississippi John Hurt.
I listen to him most mornings with coffee. His music is like a warm embrace.
James Booker, New Orleans Piano Wizard: Live!
It's hard to fully describe the feel James Booker has on the piano but you'll understand within 5 seconds of listening. I've been studying his playing deeply over the last 10 years.
Curtis Mayfield, There's No Place Like America Today
The album starts with a minute-long simmering intro before Curtis comes in singing. The commitment to groove and feeling of space/breath are deeply inspiring to me.
Ahmad Jamal, The Awakening
This is the piano trio most influential to me. I had worn out his Live at the Pershing albums but just discovered this one recently and it quickly became a favorite.
atac: Danny you’re coming to Massachusetts, so you better know a thing or two about artists from Massachusetts. Prove yourself to us!
Elan Mehler is a great pianist/composer who also puts out great records through his Newvelle label. Noam Weinstein’s a Cambridge-born singer/songwriter with quirky tunes and witty lyrics. Joelle Lurie is a dynamite singer and actor (currently starring in Sister Act at Lyric Stage) and last but not least, Austin McMahon—a wonderful drummer, busy on the Boston jazz scene.
atac: Congratulations, you have passed. What about other places you’ve traveled; what’s good out there? Let’s talk food.
DF: Memorable food stops for our trio include Kopp's for burgers and custard in Milwaukee; Pacific Lighthouse for dim sum in Alameda, CA; and Gilbert's for chowder and steamer clams in Portland, ME. Tip: avoid the horrific Italian spot off I-80. Straight out of Kitchen Nightmares.
atac: You get the pre-show jitters?
DF: I get pretty nervous before our trio shows. This past Sunday, we played in a packed room at a popular jazz club in NYC. I went to the backstage storage area and sang through the first few songs from our set while jumping and shaking out my limbs the way athletes do before a game. By the time I sat at the piano, I was focused and relaxed.
atac: That feels like a good strategy. Gotta ask—worst gigs?
DF: Oh there are so many! Let's see…There was a burlesque show for no pay with a sociopath director and multiple crying performers; a morning-time Martha Stewart wedding showcase while hungover; an old-timey big band at an amusement park playing ballads alongside screaming roller coaster riders. The list goes on!
Above: Cover art for the trio’s new album companion, a cookbookatac: Hah. How about a good one? Played, or just watched.
DF: Although I'm not big into the jam band scene anymore, I went to see The Grateful Dead and Phish when I was in sixth grade. While everyone was lighting up, I was dosing the juice box my mom packed for me! I learned about the power of music to bring people together. Not only were the concertgoers pumped about the band, they were welcoming and kind to one another. I like to create a warm inviting vibe at our shows.
atac: I hear you’re a cook?
DF: Most of my time not playing music is spent cooking. Among my Brooklyn music community, I have a reputation as a feeder. During the early pandemic, many friends were arriving at our stoop to pick up jars of my chili crisp or sour orange marmalade. We are actually releasing a mini-cookbook to go with the album featuring recipes, stories, illustrations/photos, etc.
atac: What’s in that crisp? Are you bringing the heat?
DF: You'll have to check out our cookbook! (track 15 pairs with the chili crisp recipe). A great crisp should have a balance of spicy, salty, and sweet. Besides the ground up peppers, the crispy element comes from fried shallots and garlic. I like it spicy but not so hot that you'll miss a morning appointment.
atac: Sold. Got any final thoughts?
DF: We made this trio comedy video years ago, but I think it still accurately describes us.
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The Danny Fox Trio celebrates Time Took Care of It on April 13 at atac. Get yourself a few tickets.
