Abstract Logix recording artist Oz Noy will be doing a live broadcast from The Iridium on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 4 p.m. with his Organ Trio featuring Brian Charette on organ/keys and Gene Lake on Drums.
Watch it live on The Iridium Facebook Page
Oz Noy is a very unique voice in guitar who brings great writing, infectious sensibilities and mind-bending chops rarely heard in a mix together. A New Yorker now for over two decades, Oz won Guitar Player Magazine Readers Poll for “Best guitar riff on a record” (2007), “Best new talent” (2008), and “Best out there guitar player” (2013). With several acclaimed records under his belt, Oz Noy is already considered one of the most accomplished plectorists in the world today, playing with some of the best in music- Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, John Patitucci and others to name a few. His new album “Booga Looga Loo” is a testimony to his brilliant musicality and vision. Read what Oz has to say about his new project as he prepares for the world tour to support his latest.
Abstract Logix: You have been based out of New York for a quite a while now to call you a New Yorker, How has your journey evolved from the first day you picked up the guitar to being recognized as one of the finest players of today ?
ON: I grew up in Israel and started to play guitar at the age of 10, by the age of 15 my friend started to tell me that I need to go to NYC and play there, I never really though i would actually do it but when I turned 24 I got the courage and went there, I still pinch myself sometime going like “ waoo , I live in NYC and play with a lot of my heroes!” even after all this years , its still exciting!
AL: “Booga Looga Loo” sound exciting and fun?
ON: Its the funnest record I have done.
AL: Take your fans through your journey of the music you wrote and recorded for the album?
ON: I have to have a concept in order to write an album, once I know what the concept is its much easier for me to start writing and collecting songs that will fit the album. when I did “Twisted Blues vol 1” & 2″ I have this concept of taking the blues and mixing it with jazz, when I did “Who Gives A Funk” I had an idea of making a soul , funk R&B album. on this latest album I wanted to make a Boogaloo record but mix it with some electric jazz so its like Boogaloo Meets Miles Davis “Bitches Brew”… that was kind of my idea.
AL: You seem to have some of the finest musicians on the record?
ON: Yes, I am a very lucky guy to have excess to all this guys!
AL: How do you “feel” the guys on the songs you recorded ?
ON: A lot of the time when I write I will already think of who can play on that track, its mostly starts with drummers, that inspire the direction of the song & groove sometimes, once I know who the best drummer for that song or songs I will try to call a bass player that works really well with that drummer. Will Lee & Steve Ferrone have a long history together and I played with them a bunch!, Vinnie Colaiuta & John Patitucci done a lot of stuff together and Vinnie was actually in John’s band for a while so I know that would be a great combination, and I also played with both of them separately a bunch so… I did a few tours with James Genus & Dave Weckl and we have a great hook up together so that was a no-brainer for me.
AL: You recorded a lot of the music at Sweetwater ?
ON: Yes, its an amazing facility and this guys are the absolute best!
AL: Was it recorded live and did you overdub a lot ?
ON: yes, we record live like we are doing a jazz record! I live the live interaction and organic sound of a band playing together in the same room, that where the magic happens for me! I am really not interested in making music any other way.
AL: Great to see that you are going to be touring in a few weeks with Dave Weckl and Jimmy Haslip, Considering that you have been playing with those two for a while, what’s going through your head as you get ready to go on the road ?
ON: I want to choose a song list that will be inspiring for us to play and that will also be different them the last thing we did and will include some new material and also some old stuff.
AL: Oz, its clear that you love all kinds of music especially Funk, who are some of your favorite Funk guitar players ?
ON: I like every kind of music , jazz, Blues, Pop, R&B Funk, Flamenco, Classical etc.… so I like all the masters of this kinds of music!
AL: You seem to love the Strat, at least mostly I have seen you playing it ?
ON: Start is my main instrument BUT I have been also using a Telecaster for last few years(since “Twisted Blues”), and on the last two albums I have been also playing a Les Paul so… but if I have to choose only one guitar it will be a Strat.
AL: What you are listening to nowadays ?
ON: Everything i can get my hands on::) from radio pop to old jazz stuff and everything in the middle.
AL: Lastly how did a guy from Israel play blues better than most guys out of Texas ?
ON: I don’t think I play better than the Texas guys, I am not a real blues player but I do try to lean the language as well as I can and mix it with what I do which is really jazz & funk… I think the reason the Texas guy like playing with me (Chris Layton, Roscoe Beck, Reese Wynans, Eric Johnson etc.…) is cause I don’t try to copy SRV or any of those guys, I take what I can from them and mix it with my own style so I think they find it refreshing to not have another SRV clown try to do it.
What happens musically with an unconventional yet a stellar meeting of the minds with the super talented Australian singer and keyboardist Rai Thistlethwayte (Knower, Thirsty Merc) , New York’s very own electric Jazz-Blues plectorist Oz Noy and Atlanta based drummer Darren Stanley ( Col.Bruce Hampton, Jimmy Herring) ?
Its called Ozone Squeeze and is one of music’s hottest new bands today that encompasses all the jazz, blues, rock and pop background that these guys brings to the table. Oz Noy, probably the most well known among them all, having made an profound presence in the world of guitar, jazz and blues who has toured or recorded with Eric Johnson, Warren Haynes, John Medeski, Dave Weckl, Keith Carlock, Will Lee, Fred Wesley, Randy Brecker and so many others.
But on this outing Oz Noy takes a different musical approach based around great songs and compositions. We caught up with Oz Noy as he gets ready for this touring hitting major markets- New York, Washington DC, Nashville, Austin, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
Abstract Logix: There is a certain feeling of fun and funk and still great playing in your new project “Ozone Squeeze”, how did it happen?
Oz Noy: I call this band my Pop Jam-band, the idea was to get great songs, whether is original Rai songs or covers and put the Ozone Squeeze sound on it and able to open them up to improvisation and some sections.
AL: The songs itself seem to be a focus in this project ? Was that the idea?
OZ: Yes, that was the idea of this project, to have it be song oriented band but still with great playing and some space for improvisation.
AL: “Rai Thistlethwayte is a absolute revelation to American audience , how did you hook up with him ?
OZ: He’s amazing! I found him on YouTube. I was actually looking at the some drummer videos and stumble on his video recording in the studio with Matt Chamberlin & Victor Indrizzo, I was blown away.
AL: How did you connect with Darren Stanley, He is one of the hottest young drummer from Col. Bruce Hampton school of music .
OZ: Souvik from Abstract logix turned me onto him, i watched a few YouTube videos and really liked his playing. he’s awesome!
AL: How do you adapt to this format of Ozone Squeeze in comparison to your trio with more traditional jazz-fusion musicians ?
OZ: Its more about playing to the actual song and supporting the song & singer but once it time to open up and solo i can really go where ever i want with it. i would say though, I’m trying to keep my playing more in the box to support the songs.
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Rai Thistlethwayte is one of those rare talents among a breed of forward thinking young musicians who are constantly evolving and are in pursuit of What’s Next. But, what is remarkable about Australian born multi-instrumentalist is his wide encompassing umbrella of musical abilities. It is so rare to hear someone who treats the legacy of soul, pop, jazz, electronic and rock idioms with an uncanny passion, honesty and respect. On the top of it , Rai is a real player. A relatively unknown among American and European audiences, Rai came to popular prominence in his native Australia with rock outfit, Thirsty Merc .
Recently, Rai has been touring Europe and US with Knower, a hip jazz-funk-electronic-fusion outfit from Los Angeles led by duo Louis Cole and Genevieve Artadi. Early in 2017, Rai started to collaborate on a trio concept , Ozone Squeeze, a funk-bluesy-jazzy ensemble with catchy tunes and instrumental improvisation featuring Atlanta based drummer Darren Stanley, who have been a fixture in the Atlanta music scene with the late Col.Bruce Hampton and New York jazz-bluesman Oz Noy on guitar. With a debut self-titled album under their belt, Ozone Squeeze is just about to go out in US playing some select dates in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Austin, Washington DC and Philadelphia. The band is hip, soulful, jazzy with a right dose of funk to make you groove. Recently we caught up with Rai from his home in Sydney.
Abstract Logix: You come across as this totally hip musician that can play keyboards, bass and sing and entertain all at once. Seems like you got more than just one brain?
Rai Thistlethwayte: Firstly, thanks so much for the kind words! I was lucky enough to be born into a musical family, Mom taught piano and my Dad taught languages at schools and played lots of gigs on the weekends on bass. It all started from there, i think!
AL: Can you talk about this transcontinental gathering of three musicians who did not previously know each other? What’s the story behind “Ozone Squeeze”?
RT: It’s a really interesting project. I was in NYC working and Oz reached out to me. I jumped at the chance to work with him because he’s such a tremendous instrumentalist and I’d been a fan for a while. Darren came on board a little later on and then we went into the studio, did a few short tours and that was great because Darren has worked in Atlanta, Europe, all sorts of places, and had this great understanding and background in Jam band scenes… Jazz, funk, session playing, fusions of many styles. It really is an interesting mix of players and sounds!
AL: How are Darren and Oz and their chemistry?
RT: The chemistry is great – it’s like we all add something unique to the mix. I think we all have some fire, and some laid back elements to our personalities, but in different areas in our outlooks. This also comes through in the playing. You’ll have a bed of groove going on, and then Oz will throw something REALLY left field in there, melodically, every now and then, and I’ll look up from the keyboard rig and think, “wow! these guys are next level”.
I try and choose musically, using taste, experience, and just a bit of being in the moment – whether I’ll jump on such an idea, or whether to stay in the engine room of the groove and keep things cranking on an underlying level.
AL: You have been sitting in on keyboards with KNOWER… what a band! Can you fill us in on that music?
RT: Yes! They are a pretty amazing duo. They do shows with video/electronic sort of backing, and it is nothing short of amazing music production – a mix of Jazz, Dance, Funk, Electronic Dance Music, Dubstep, Orchestral and Choral music, and some fast tempo female pop, even up-tempo new jack swing thrown in there. Largely they’ve been recently playing as a live band. I’ve known Louis (drummer / writer / producer) and Gen (vocals/writer) for about 4 years now. Lovely humans. Working also with Sam Wilkes and Jacob Mann, Thom Gill and Sam Gendel has been really fun. The live shows are super exciting, and Louis has a sense of humor that you have to experience to believe (laughter).
AL: Can you tell us how your approach might differ between a band like Thirsty Merc, KNOWER and Ozone Squeeze?
RT: Well, that’s a great question. I feel like in a band like Thirsty Merc, it’s more of a singer songwriter project, with a lot of my own personal storytelling – and goes back to me coming through the ranks in Australia, finding my place in life, coming of age, relationships, that sort of theme. Plus – I play a lot of guitar in that band too! I work with some of my best friends on that band and it’s a really deep connection – like we’re family. That’s been together for 15 years, so you can imagine it’s got that history. We’ve been through SO much together.
With Knower, I’m playing much more in the ‘synthesizer’ world, lots of rhythmic stabs, a few keyboard solos with lead sounds. I’m using a laptop based setup, so that garners a very different sound in terms of tone color. In terms of Ozone Squeeze, I’m the vocalist, but also handling the bass role on a Moog, and playing more of a Rhodes and Wurlitzer sound – so the influence there is probably more of a ‘retro’ sort of thing – it’s got a lot more analogue nature to it, and ties in with the nature of Oz’s Fender Strat sound through a really nice valve (tube) amp. The drums are full range sounding, and it’s ALL about pocket. If it’s not grooving, it’s not happening. I don’t over think an ‘approach’ to playing, I just try and do what seems musically sound for the task at hand!
AL: We just heard that you played solo at Rochester Jazz Fest. What’s your solo set like?
RT: What a great festival! I had a blast, playing with a young and very talented drummer by the name of Russell Holzman, from The Bronx, in NY. We played 2-piece; I used an acoustic piano and played some really heartfelt songs, some off-beat stuff, and also we just ‘saw what came out.’ Truth be told, we didn’t rehearse. That’s the thing though. It made the performances especially real. I hadn’t seen Russell for 5 years or so! I just wanted to just bring the audience with us on that journey. After all, it was a Jazz fest, where improvisation is the central theme. It went down really well!
AL: With Ozone Squeeze, you play bass parts on a Moog synth with your left hand, keyboard with your right, and sing simultaneously. How taxing is this, and does it require additional practice or preparation on your part?
RT: I think practice does make perfect, but I don’t really practice much on that as a style. I have played quite a bit in that config over the years here and there, but sometimes I have to learn. I think I learn the most on the shows!
AL: You performed with regarded pianist Mark Isaacs at the Brisbane Jazz Festival a few years back. Mark said, “It’s a well-kept secret that Rai is an outstanding jazz pianist… I consider Rai the most exciting young jazz pianist to emerge in this country in recent years.” That’s some praise! Do you see yourself exploring more acoustic jazz and releasing any music in this vein?
RT: I would LOVE to. I actually have so much stuff I haven’t released. There’s a bit of a backlog of some acoustic piano stuff that I’ve got. I have to get around to releasing all of this stuff!!
AL: You’ve done a lot of session work for other artists. Could you share a particularly memorable session and tell us why it stands out?
RT: One such memorable session was at Sunset Sound in L.A. with a great guitarist, Eli Wulfmeier. We did his E.P. and it was great fun. He’s a great session player himself. Amazing studio, such history there, such great players, crew, and everything went really organically. I also remember Daxx Nielsen on drums for that session, he has a really great vibe too; he sounded killer as always! I’ve done quite a few fun sessions over the years in Australia, mainly on acoustic piano.
AL: Do you play any other instruments?
RT: I play a bit of bass, and a bit of drums… guitar, keys, vocals, that’s pretty much it. But I’ve messed around on many instruments. It’s always a fun thing to do. I’ve got a violin, but you don’t wanna hear me on that. It’s pretty painful!!!
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While on tour back in September, Abstract Logix artist Oz Noy gave an interview to Slickster Magazine. He discusses influences, the genesis of his new project Ozone Squeeze, and more. Click here to check it out.
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Oz Noy is a guitar player that blends rock, jazz, blues, and funk into his own unique style that stands out from the fusion world. A staple at the Bitter End in New York City, Oz has five solo releases to his name. The lastest of which is titled “Twisted Blues Vol. 1”. The album displays his ability to take the blues and jazz, and create something distinctive and fresh, but preserve the familiarity of the styles he blends together. While promoting “Twisted Blues”, Oz took some time to answer a few questions for Abstract Logix readers.
Abstract Logix: Your newest record is called “Twisted Blues Vol. 1”, and the opening track is titled “Twisted Blues”. Was this title a nod at Wes Montgomery’s song of the same name?
Oz Noy: I actually wrote this song on Wes’s Twisted Blues chord and form more or less. It’s my favorite Wes song and it’s kind of an abstract version of it.
AL: On your new record you have arrangements of Thelonious Monk’s “Light Blue”, “Trinkle Tinkle” and in the past have covered several Monk tunes. How would you describe Monk’s influence in the development of your playing?
ON: I really like his music, BUT the main thing for me is what he writes fits the guitar really well and can be interpreted in many different ways. His writing doesn’t limit you to play a specific way. It’s much more free to put your own character in it… at least for my playing.
AL: Is it difficult to record a Monk tune with your own style and still stay true to the original Monk recordings?
ON: I think its difficult to put your own stamp in general on someone else’s composition, BUT as I said before, Monk’s music has something very free to interpretation and for some reason I get most success playing his songs than any other jazz composers. I play a lot of his music and just find my way to be comfortable with it.
AL: You list under instrumentation that you preform loops. What exactly does that mean, and how did it contribute to the atmosphere of the record?
ON: I’ve been using a LINE6 Looper for many years and developed a way to loop in real time when I play and make it a part of the music. Its another texture that in an improvisation situation can be very weird, unexpected and exciting. I’ve developed it over the years through doing all my solo records. I really like it, especially the challenge of it being unexpected on each night or each recording session. Its a part of my guitar vocabulary.
AL: What gear did you use on Twisted Blues?
ON: My 67 Fender band Master, 73 50W Marshall, and a pedal board (You can go to the gear page on my website and see the board and amps, the board is called -The Blues Board. http://oznoy.com/gear/ ). I used Tele & Strat guitars. (also on my website.)
AL: Did you have a primary set-up, or was there a lot of experimentation with sounds?
ON: No experimentation, just the gear I use live all the time. There is enough experimentation in the music itself.
AL: How pivotal are guitar pedals to obtaining the unique sounds on your recordings and were they used during composing the songs or afterwards?
ON: All though I’m using a lot of effects my sound is actually very simple and basic. Just a booster into a cranked up [amp] with a bit of Delay. The pedals for me are for orchestrating the songs and giving then a dimension.
I usually write without effects, BUT sometime effects and sounds inspired me to write tunes.
AL: In some tunes I think I hear a ring modulator. Do you have a favorite pedal, or a pedal you turn to because you know it will deliver a far out sound?
ON: I don’t have a ring modulator, what you’re hearing is my Octavia. If you play it a specific way it will sound like a ring modulater. I can do a lot of different weird sounds when I have my pedal board in front of me. There is a lot of options there, but I need to have it all in order to really take it out.
AL: You have a song called “Whole Tone Blues” on the record. Besides the whole tone scale, what scales did you use to infuse a new sound and groove to the blues?
ON: The main sound is a whole tone scale but I use other scales to color it in different ways.
AL: What made you initially pick up the guitar, and did you ever think it would bring you to where it has today?
ON: I wanted to be a drummer but a friend of mine took me to see his guitar lesson and that was it. I don’t know way I keep playing guitar , I just do.
I don’t really know where it has brought me today. I just keep on going, only thinking about what the next thing to do is.
AL: When you’re not touring, you play a weekly show at The Bitter End in New York City. Did you use these shows as a way to road test new songs before heading into the studio?
ON: Absolutely, this is my rehearsal room in a way, but I love playing the club and people seem to enjoy it also.
AL: As such a strong live musician is it difficult to go into the studio and capture that feeling on record?
ON: Yes, as hard as we try it always takes a while, and you never get it the same as it is live, But the studio recordings got its thing.
AL: You’ve played and recorded with several outstanding artist like Mike Stern, Eric Johnson, and James Genus, to name a few. Is there anybody that you would like to collaborate with in the future?
ON: Oh man, the list is very very long! I don’t even know where to start… I’ll say one thing though, I would have loved to play with Miles, but too late for that.
AL: Is there a message that you try to convey to the audience through your records and live performances?
ON: Not really, just enjoy the music and have fun Isn’t that what its all about?
AL: With such an established and prominent career in Israel, what motivated you to move to New York City and start all over?
ON: Israel is a small and very limited place in terms of the music scene there. The music scene in NYC always attracted me. The level is much higher and the music I liked best was happening in NYC at the time when I left Israel, so it was a pretty easy decision to make.
AL: Are there any up-and-coming artists you would recommend readers to check out?
ON: A lot of good stuff out there, its just a bit harder to find now when there is so much other bullshit out there… You have to really work harder to find the good stuff, but its there!
AL: What does the rest of 2012 look like for you?
ON: Just a bunch of touring, writing and practicing (hopefully).
AL: Can we expect a “Twisted Blues Vol. 2” any time soon?
ON: Absolutely, I’m pretty close to being finished writing it so … I’m really excited about it. I think it will be the next step up.
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