In The Middle of a Couple of Different Worlds

JONATHAN SCALES, PANIST FROM ANOTHER PLANET

Another When Steel Talks Special - By Dalton Narine -

Global - Jonathan Scales plays a voguish style of pan. And he does so by articulating life and personal experiences that are crowned in a mélange of musical idioms and styles. Like the mix of instruments in the Panorama, each offers its own delicacy in a smorgasbord of sounds. But, with Scales, the buffet is spooned out as treats from his exotic mind. Here, try this, the band Jonathan Scales Fourchestra seems to be saying. Savor the flavor. And next thing you know he’s whetting your appetite for pleasure. Most times, though, he’s building intense pulses that are esoteric to the ordinary ear, though leaving the listener mesmerized by a welter of skills. Such wizardry brings to mind the admiration for a mason who cannot afford to whiff in selecting the right fit among a mingle-mangle of stones to produce that rare architecture of cobblestone homes. Indeed, when you look a it - or receive it - you’re left with a memento of his challenges. Scales, 26, married with no children, has just released a nine-track CD, Character Farm and Other Short Stories. You’d be missing out on a great opportunity to sample Scales’ precise compositions as well as the band’s novel and painterly expressions.

The following is an interview conducted a few weeks before the CD was distributed. It is accompanied by mini reviews of the new work.

click for full interview

Replies

masai hall June 30, 2012 at 3:20pm

Very interesting, his mention of Bella Fleck as a primary influence on his musical style. Fleck is an icon in the world of serious jazz. His name like his instrument (the banjo) may not be popular but his rythmns are sick.
masai hall June 10, 2011 at 11:53am

Do some research. Real pannists and pan historians know that "Tello" is a pioneer and perhaps the best at incorporating the instrument with the jazz/rock idiom. No disrespect to the new music men.
- Claude Gonzales > masai hall June 10, 2011 at 1:51pm
  
  So where are the videos?
- Don West > masai hall June 10, 2011 at 12:57pm
  
  That may very well be true, but like most T&T pannists. "Tello" doesnt know how to market himself. I have personally requested from him his music and just been told ; "It's on CD!" yet I have been not able to find it anywhere; not even online. Maybe you could advised me as to where it's available. I was able to pick up Johnathan's quite easy at CDbaby.com
  - Michael King Jr. > Don West June 10, 2011 at 1:02pm
    
    Thats so true T&T Pannists have got to step it up on the online world. These days with Social media its getting easier to get the word out. The hard part capturing people's attention, then get them to buy what you're selling. Great comment. Like Boogsie say, Do Sumthin For Pan!
Bugs June 9, 2011 at 5:53pm

Great interview Dalton.

bugs
- Gonzales > Bugs June 9, 2011 at 8:34pm
  
  Much appreciation, Bugs.
masai hall June 9, 2011 at 3:54pm

Good work. Just hope that some people are aware that Othello Mollenux was doing more complex fusion, rock and jazz with Jaco Pastorius, in the 80's. I just saying.
- Michael King Jr. > masai hall June 10, 2011 at 12:53pm
  
  Thanks for sharing this post. I will get hip to Mr. Pastorius. I am familiar with some of Mr. Mollenux's works.
- Claude Gonzales > masai hall June 9, 2011 at 7:08pm
  
  Don't know if anybody, anywhere could better than MUDDY VISHNU!!!