Casey Abrams talks about his new album ‘#Jazz’

Casey Abrams (“American Idol” fame) chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about his new studio album “#Jazz.”

What inspired you to return to your jazz roots with #Jazz?

I was putting out funk songs and pop songs and playing those types of shows. Even when I would be playing this type of music live, I would always throw in a jazz song, making my encore “Georgia On My Mind” even. I played that during Hollywood Week of my season of American Idol. I would even sound check with a random jazz standard with the band. I asked myself, why not just go back to my roots? So I did 🙂

How has your approach to jazz changed since your early days studying at Idyllwild?

It hasn’t changed, I just sing a little bit more. I learned from my mentor, Marshall Hawkins (Miles Davis band, Herbie Hancock) How to be spontaneous, not to over practice and go with the flow, learn the sound rather than what’s written on the page and that there is no such thing as wrong notes: Only desirable and undesirable!

This album has a lot of humor and spontaneity. How important is having fun when you make music?

It’s the most important thing in life and in music. We get to tell stories but also make sounds! If we are not having fun with our hobby, let alone our job, what is the point? Even if I’m playing a wedding, birthday or special event, I’m always going to be having a great time because I’m doing the thing I love. Even if no one is listening, I consider it a practice. Even if it’s a song I don’t even necessarily like to listen to, I’ll find a way to make it more interesting. There is only winning. 

What was it like working with artists like Taylor Eigsti, Haley Reinhart and David Longoria on this record?

I have been working with Haley Reinhart since I became a professional musician on American Idol in 2011. Our first time singing a duet together was on the show AND it was a jazz song, “Moanin” by Art Blakey. We got to scat with each other and trade solos! Ever since then, we play on each other’s songs, recordings and shows all the time!

She is the best to work with and singing with her just makes sense. We can also find harmony together almost telepathically when playing a song even for the first time. She was one of the people to also visit me in the hospital when I was about to have my surgeries. She really cares and is super loyal.

Working with Taylor Eigsti is magic. He is a genius and can hear any music note or chord and play it back at you with even more pizazz. I was lucky to have him sit in on some of my shows when I went to NYC. Since then, I was asked to sing on some of his songs. Not only is he super creative but he is the nicest and funniest human in the world. He helped me get status on an airline after my surgeries. I remember being on tour with him in Europe and I asked him to play jazzy versions of “Mary Had A Little Lamb” and the ABC’s.

He did it so beautifully he could have won a Grammy for it. Speaking of Grammys, He ended up winning 2 for the albums he put out, one of which I was singing on! He was the one who really inspired me to enter my album to the recording academy.

I’ve been following David Longoria for a couple years and am a fan of his work. I was in a restaurant and I saw this really cool looking man with great fashion sitting down at a table. I smiled and nodded my head and he said “Casey, I’m David Longoria, nice to meet you in person”. What a coincidence! He was super friendly and we exchanged numbers and we agreed we needed to jam and work together on any type of music.

I reached out to him as I was writing “You Got Me Smiling Again” with my producer, Davy Nathan. I said “Do you want to send in a trumpet solo?” He said yes and sent it the next day. I had one adjustment which was to play more. He did that and we loved it so much and put it in right away. He is also very nice and is mentoring me through this jazz process and how to make it big in the industry.

“Idyllwild” is a tribute to your hometown and musical beginnings. Why did you want to end the album with that song?

I ended it with this song to signify coming home. Even though it’s not the most jazzy song, it’s the one that is about where I learned all my musical knowledge. It also features my Idyllwild Arts Academy schoolmate and long time friend, Jacob Scesney. I was there when he first auditioned for the school. and we continue to play on each other’s projects. It’s about my parents as well, who bought me all of my first instruments, including bass, piano, ukulele, guitar, sitar and clarinet.

I love spending time with them and they have been so supportive of my life, emotions and career. It’s also about my mentor, Marshall Hawkins who taught me everything I know. If I’m going to make a Jazz album about my roots, why not have the last message be to follow your roots and stick to what you love and where you came from? 

You’ve gone from American Idol to jazz clubs, international tours and viral videos. Which experiences have shaped you the most as an artist?

American Idol shaped me the most! I went from small jazz recitals to millions of people watching me. What I learned most from that experience is grace under fire. As scary as the stage is and how much pressure you’re receiving, you really have to stay focused and composed in what you sing. I learned how to be confident from American Idol. I remember I forgot the first lyrics to a song and got so nervous. I shouted to a stage hand and he looked it up on his phone.

Then the stage manager said “10 SECONDS TIL WE’RE LIVE!” while I was holding my bass and trying to figure out the whole rest of the song. I got through it and I feel I actually did really well, I didn’t let the feelings get to me. Then afterwards, Ryan Seacrest came up to me and I felt shooting pains up and down my spine. I think the adrenaline kicked in in a state of fight or flight. I’m glad I fought. You always have to fight no matter how nervous you are.

You blend jazz with everything from salsa and neo-soul to pop. What makes you want to keep experimenting with different sounds?

I believe jazz is in everything. every time you have freedom of a melody or harmony or improvise; It’s Jazz. Not only in music but in life. Salsa music always has solos and even the dancing is feeling the rhythm and making up your own thing. The neo-soul vibe has some very jazzy chords and flexxy rhythms. I love hearing new things and trying new things. I think that when you play different musical instruments, you access new parts of music.

I feel the same way about cultures. I learned about the musical culture in Ethiopia and made a documentary about it. You get to experience something exciting and new and you get to walk away with a new musical knowledge since when you arrived.  

After everything you’ve accomplished so far, what do you hope listeners discover about you through #Jazz?

I hope they realize that they can make any genre of music cool if they love it. I love playing jazz and the warm feeling it gives me. I hope all the listeners feel warm and nostalgic as well. I hope the listeners also feel they can have fun with music and win.

“#Jazz” is available on Spotify by clicking here.

To learn more about Casey Abrams, check out his official website, and follow him on Instagram.