Jordan Rudess, who is performing in Brazil this week, spoke with Wikimetal about his personal and professional journey.
Jordan Rudess is an extremely technical keyboardist. His early career with Dixie Dregs propelled him to one of the most genre-bending bands: Dream Theater . Their music ranges from classical to jazz, from metal to progressive, all within extremely complex musical structures.
Rudess is trained in classical piano, but has collaborated with a variety of distinct artists. Jan Hammer , Enrique Iglesias , and Paul Winter are some examples. Perhaps the most memorable of them is David Bowie , who invited him to participate in the 2002 Heathen
A virtuoso, not only musically but also in his personal aspirations, Rudess didn't just aim to play new instruments. He wanted to create new instruments, "to dream and produce the future of music." Today, he is president of Wizdom Music, a company that develops apps for new musical experiences.
With such a unique personal journey, the keyboardist has created a show that explores all of these inspirations. From Bach to Rock arrives in Brazil this Friday, December 7th, with a show in São Paulo . It will also be in Belo Horizonte (December 9th) and Rio de Janeiro (December 10th). Before the marathon tour, Rudess spoke with Wikimetal about his journey, both on and off stage.
WIKIMETAL: First of all, we want to thank you for the great music you've been creating for so many years… So, on behalf of all Brazilian fans, thank you and welcome to Wikimetal!
Jordan Rudess: Thank you! I'm very excited to share my solo piano show, Bach to Rock, with my Brazilian fans, who are always so supportive!
From Bach to Rock tour you're bringing to Brazil is very interesting for fans because it showcases different styles. Which song that you'll be playing here do you consider the most difficult, and why?
JR: The “Chopin Ballade in G Minor” is more challenging for me. It’s a very beautiful piece, but technically very demanding. It requires a lot of control to play it well. I focused on performing the “Ballade” last year and since then it has been a challenge every time I perform it.
WM: During the tour, you play the classic “Space Oddity” by the fantastic David Bowie. What do you remember most about your time participating in Bowie's Heathen
JR: I remember all the stories David told me before we recorded each song. He was a wonderful storyteller, very verbal. He took me on journeys with the stories, creating images that inspired me to play each track. It was an honor to be part of a Bowie album. I truly love honoring his talent every night I play “Space Oddity”.
WM: You've been using technology as an important tool and even created a software company called Wizdom Music. What is your main role in the company and what is Wizdom Music's latest creation?
JR: Wizdom Music is my company. I'm the president. I work with developers from all over the world to create software instruments. Wizdom Music allows me to dream up the instruments of the future, work with brilliant developers, bring the instruments to life, and then have fun using the creations in live performances. My newest app is GeoShred, which I'll be using in the concert. It's a collaboration between me and MoForte, a team I met at Stanford University. It's based on physical modeling, developed by Dr. Julius Smith, one of my partners. It's interestingly changing the story of how music is made in India. People are discovering that it's a wonderful way to express advanced pitch inflections.
WM: What kind of advice would you give to a young fan who is going to your show in Brazil and is thinking about starting a music career?
JR: Training. Patience. Persistence. If you don't love training, if you see training as work, don't think about starting a career in music. If you love music and don't see it as work, but as a passion, go for it. Don't enter the business for fame and fortune, because those things, even if you achieve them, won't bring happiness. Happiness will only come if you are true to yourself and follow your heart. Commit to excellence and be a good person who treats others with respect and solidarity.
WM: Two years ago, you paid a beautiful tribute to the late Sir George Martin. What other name from music history would you like to play in tribute to?
JR: Elton John. He composed such beautiful songs. I would definitely create a musical tribute to him someday.
WM: Is it fair to say that Dream Theater's new album, Distance Over Time, will have elements of Images and Words ? If so, in what ways?
JR: Distance Over Time definitely returns to our roots with heavy riffs, great choruses, and lots of progressive elements. I'm sure fans of Images and Words , or any other DT fan, will identify with the new album. We're very excited to share it with everyone.
In the past, you've paid tribute to great rock albums by playing entire shows based on Master of Puppets and Number of the Beast , for example. Do you plan to do that again in the future? More importantly, in Brazil?
JR: At the moment, there are no plans for that, but you never know what the future holds.
WM: We have a classic question we ask all our interviewees. Imagine you're listening to the radio or a streaming service and a song starts playing. A song that makes you go crazy and immediately headbang. No matter where you are, you can't help but dance. What song is it and why?
JR: “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, from the album of the same name. This song always gets me. I used to listen to it as a great song about teenage rebellion. Fun riffs and attitude.
WM: Do you have any "guilty pleasure" songs?
JR: Anything from Carol King's Tapestry
WM: Could you please leave one last message for the Wikimetal fans?
JR: It will be great to return to Brazil and, for the first time, as a soloist! I can't wait to share my musical journey with all of you and feel the energy of the people! I'm also looking forward to everyone hearing the next Dream Theater album, which will rock your world… See you soon!
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