The Jazz Room

People of The Jazz Room
Dafydd Hughes
Keyboards

* What excites you about music, especially jazz today?

The kids, especially their approach to what they choose to play. When I get the chance to hear younger musicians, I'm struck by how little genre seems to matter to anybody. When I started playing pop songs, electronic or experimental music in a Jazz setting, this was a conscious decision. For the younger players I'm exposed to, it seems like Deerhoof comes just as naturally as Rodgers and Hart.

* What inspires you as an artist and musician?

People who care more about about making good art than about rules and chops. People who are willing to take the chance to leave space, ask hard questions, go completely off the rails, while still respecting and honouring the music.

* What has your experience been like with The Jazz Room?

I love playing here. The audience is always engaged and appreciative. It's always good to play somewhere that really likes musicians.

* What is the next thing you'll be working on or doing?

For two decades, I've been a member of a chamber quartet (with Christine Bougie, Andrew Downing, and Julia Hambleton) that performs the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds once or twice annually. We're putting the finishing touches on a recording of the project, and should be releasing it later this year.