12 Questions for Jamie Ousley!

Jamie Ousley perfoming at Arturo Sandoval's club in Miami

Jamie Ousley has been a favorite at Palm Coast Jazz on our podcasts and otherwise. A master of his instrument, he's one of the most in-demand bassists in Miami. Some of the world-class artists he's performed with include Ira Sullivan, Arturo Sandoval, Benny Golson, George Shearing,
James Moody, Dave Liebman, Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, Nestor Torres, Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Harry Allen and Bob Berg. His cds are a joy to listen to and filled with his appealing compositions as well as clever arrangements of standards, pop songs and classical works; all handled with finesse and dexterity by brilliant musicians. Finally - he's the nicest guy! We hope you enjoy our short interview, as well as the video & links underneath.


1) It’s clear from your albums that you embrace many kinds of music, including world, rock & classical. How did you get turned on to jazz?

I started playing jazz in my high school jazz band, but I didn't really even know what jazz was at that point. I really got seriously into jazz in college. I had the choice to go down the classical or jazz paths, and I chose jazz because it's always new.

photo by Jacek Andrzej Gancarz

2) Was bass your first instrument?

Violin was my first instrument, beginning with suzuki lessons at age 5. I switched to bass when I was 12, and I was lucky enough my public school program had orchestra.

3) A question for fellow bass players – tell us about your gear…

I play a 1983 Horst Gruenert double bass from Germany, which I feel very lucky to have! I use a fishman full-circle pickup and acoustic image amp. I just ordered one of those new DPA bass mics, so we'll see how that goes.


4) Name 3 albums that are currently getting a lot of rotation in your home or ipod.

Tony Bennett: The Art of Excellence
Fred Hersch Trio: Alive at the Vanguard
Hilary Hahn: Bach Partitas for Solo Violin

5) Who do you look to as the ideal jazz instrumentalist, bass or otherwise?

Ray Brown is my bass hero. Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Charlie Haden, and Sonny Rollins are my favorite improvisors.

6) Name a favorite rhythm section of yours.

Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro & Paul Motian. They pioneered and developed interaction and conversational aspects within a rhythm section. "Waltz for Debby" remains one of my favorite recordings of all time.

Jamie performing with jazz legend Ira Sullivan

7) What was your first professional gig?

I guess my first professional gig was with my high school rock band "Cataclysm." I think we made money? We played for an after-prom party at a YMCA... Our band slogan was "Music so bad, you have to spank it!"

8) So far – what has been one of the most memorable onstage experiences for you?

The first that came to mind was one particular night at Arturo Sandovall's old jazz club on Miami Beach with jazz legend Ira Sullivan. Brian Murphy was on piano and John Yarling on drums... I've played with this same band dozens of times, but this particular night I had the most profound feeling of being in the "zone" or groove, whatever you want to call it. I remember the experience as being almost like I was an observer and laughing at the fun musical banter John & Brian were having. It was effortless to play and there was no possibility that any note could have been wrong.

9) Does composing/ finishing pieces happen easily for you or do you labor over it?

Definitely not easy! Occasionally ideas (usually the best ideas) come easily and without effort, but even those take a lot of work and editing to finish. One exception is a song off my first CD titled "Epiphany" in which I purposefully sat down to write a song in one session, start-to-finish, in a stream-of-consciousness style, just accepting whatever notes popped into my head next. It took about 2 hours.

10) I consider all your albums “successful”, but “A Sea of Voices” did very well on the Jazzweek charts. Was this a surprise for you?


It was definitely a surprise, but it was also a goal of mine to reach the top 10. A Sea of Voices reached #8. . .so I guess I have to set the goal a little higher next time!


11) Do you have specific goals as an artist, or for the music you compose/release?


Philosophically, my purpose is to contribute to and touch peoples lives with my music. But I don't always think about that every day. My biggest practical goal is to become known well enough so I can travel the world playing music. I really enjoy experiencing other cultures - which is a great part about living in Miami.

Photo by David Schanzer

12) What’s coming up for you?

I just submitted a proposal for a grant at my university to make a bass & vocal duo CD, so we'll see how that goes. I have a couple of fun trips coming up. Next week I'll be in Costa Rica playing a Jobim Bossa Nova with Strings concert with vocalist Rose Max and the National Symphony. I'll be playing with Joe & Austin (the guys from my last CD) at the Nashville Jazz Workshop in April and in the Boston area in August.

We asked Jamie to supply us with a video of his choice. Here's what he had to say about the video below: "Here's a youtube video collage with my song "Loving Beauty" from A Sea of Voices. These are some of my personal photos over the past few years traveling, and the studio 'rough mix' from the session. . .it was a first take!"

Thank you, Jamie, for doing the interview, and for all your contributions to jazz in FL, and around the globe! You can enjoy full-length tracks by Jamie Ousley on episodes 7, 9 & 13 of our podcast: and you can treat yourself to his excellent albums at iTunes and Amazon. - PCJ

CD Review - Jamie Ousley A Sea of Voices

Bassist Jamie Ousley has put out some very high quality material since 2008, but this is definitely his best: a kind of summation, gathering together and improving of all he had to say on his previous 2 excellent releases ("O Sorriso Dela" in 2008, "Back Home" in 2010). His already keen sense for appropriateness and when to do what seems to have reached a new pinnacle; his melodies are sturdier and gripping, and the new line-up seizes every opportunity for unity, flow and brilliant support. In particular, pianist Joe Davidian is perfect for Jamie's refined and sentimental brand of jazz. All three musicians bring just enough fire and virtuosity to give a sense of joy and contentment.

Joe Davidian

Jamie Ousley

Opening samba "Hymn of the Tides" (all songs have a water theme) is a perfect example of all these assets. Davidian states the promptly unforgettable melody, puts Jarrett amounts of thought into his own improv and then backs up Ousley's crystal solo with finesse; the always-present and flowing latin momentum provided by drummer Austin McMahon peaks at the end over a euphoric 2-chord vamp, while piano & bass exchange closing thoughts amid a wash of sizzling ride cymbal (mix & master job on the cd are both superb).

Davidian's intricate, straight-8 re-working of "How Deep is the Ocean" is welcome and refreshing, taking the standard to unforeseen modernity and emotion. The trio captivates and convinces while empathizing for the greater good; reminiscent (as is much of the album) of the Rubalcaba and Jarrett trio's at their most liberated and uplifting periods. A listener will have no trouble stopping everything to take it all in.

Austin McMahon

Along with Jamie's originals ("Steam" - a darkest-corner-of the-club swank-blues; "Loving Beauty" fittingly titled jazz waltz; "With You" - another Ousley samba-special complete with exciting piano crescendo & finish, and what can only be described as a remarkably great melody; "Holy Water" calm soul-gospel 6/8 featuring a brief and very well-recorded Ousley solo of note) are a Coldplay cover and a respectfully antiquated duo rendition of "Alfonsina y el Mar" with guest pianist Gabriel Saientz.

The icing on the cake are two back-to-back slices of eloquent Americana. A plaintive, soothing evocation of "Shenendoah" with vocalist Nanami Morikawa lending her beautiful mezzo-soprano to a verse each in English and Japanese (a proper dose of "World" sensibilities enfuse all of Ousley's releases). The ensuing bowed chorus also adds an Asian feel, and the harmonizing between the two performers is a high point of the disc. The syncopated latin 6 romp through "Rocky Top" will give you a new, happy outlook on life in our USA and you'll move somewhere in your body to the lilting percussion provided by Carlomagno Araya.

Finally, (as if you needed another reason to treat yourself to this marvelous disc); in an unselfish gesture, Jamie has allocated all proceeds of this successful cd (#8 on Jazzweek national radio chart) to Sunshine State Interfaith Power and Light, who are dedicated to mobilizing faith communities in Florida to care for creation. - PCJ

listen to & pick up your copy at:
CD Baby
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