Interview with Vincent Herring
The first section of this two-part interview presents an insight into the way Vincent’s musical studies began and the unique way in which his career evolved. He discusses his early motivations and the influences his mother’s jazz collection and influential teachers–Dave Peterson, Billy Browning, and Hal Stein–had on him. His acceptance into the West Point Army Band at 17 allowed him to move to the greater NYC area around 1980 where he was able to get a taste of the Big Apple’s jazz scene. The magnificent jazz artists he was able to hear on a regular basis along with studying with Eddie Daniels, Phil Woods, and Pete Yellin set the stage for his entry into the professional world. His early gigs as a sideman with Lionel Hampton Band, Horace Silver, Nat Adderley, and Cedar Walton are also discussed. Mixed in are some wonderful stories about hearing Michael Brecker and Freddie Hubbard live for the first time. Finally, Vincent talks about his approach to practicing from his early years to the present. As you will see, he is a very serious and articulate person who has a practical sense of what it takes to be an evolving, creative artist.
*Opening Track: “The Best Things in Life Are Free” from Heritage Songs
**Closing Track: “A Peck A Sec” from Split Decision
About the Artist
Vincent Herring emerged on the jazz scene in the 1980s along with several other “young lion” alto saxophonists including Kenny Garrett, Steve Wilson, Dick Oatts, Jesse Davis, Antonio Hart, etc. Vincent distinguished himself during those early years in his work with Lionel Hampton, Cedar Walton, Horace Silver, Louis Hayes, and Nat Adderley. This ultimately led to him becoming a popular sideman on other jazz artists’ recordings (over 250 to date) as well as his own recordings as a leader, which number over 20 at this point. His wide range of projects has enabled him to display his musical versatility as he performs and tours regularly around the world. He is also a noted jazz educator and has two excellent publications devoted to developing one’s jazz creativity that are available: Logic and Critical Thinking in Jazz Improvisation and 25 Bebop Etudes on Jazz Standards. Please check out his website at: www.VincentHerring.com.