Guitarist Faye Alesse from Roosevelt High School in Seattle joins Abe Beeson tonight (Oct. 10) at 8 p.m. as guest DJ during Evening Jazz. Faye is a junior and plays in Roosevelt's jazz band. Listen to the show and read her Q&A and playlist.
Which instrument do you play and why?
I play guitar because I love how versatile the instrument is. You can play almost any type of music on it! I started out with classical guitar, but was fortunate to get to start playing jazz in middle school with Mr. Escobedo.
What’s your all-time favorite jazz piece?
My favorite jazz piece is Django Reinhardt's "Minor Swing." I love that the seemingly simple comping in the background provides a clear and stable platform for the soloists. The comping in particular is interesting because not often in jazz is guitar comping seen as a necessity, when it can make a whole song.
Who is your jazz hero?
Django Reinhardt because he was one of the first guitarists to lead a band and I love how he mixes different types of instruments and genres of music together.
Why jazz?
I love how interactive and ever changing jazz is. No song gets played the same twice! I also love the social aspect of jazz, as classical guitarists rarely play in groups.
FAYE ALESSE'S PLAYLIST
"Ain't Misbehavin'" Joe Pass (Oscar Peterson & Friends BBC Special)
"I'll See You In My Dreams" Django Reinhardt (Best of...)
"Street of Dreams" Shirley Scott/Count Basie (Basie Presents E. Davis + J. Newman)
"Cry Me a River" Ella Fitzgerald/Joe Pass (Duets in Hannover)
"West Coast Blues" Wes Montgomery (Smokin' In Seattle)
"I Love Paris" Mary Osborne (A Girl and Her Guitar)
"On Green Dolphin Street" Art Van Damme (Keep Going)
"Moanin'" Rhoda Scott (1972 European television)
"Autumn Leaves" Barney Kessel (Autumn Leaves)
"Blues for Mr. K" Dorothy Ashby (Django/Misty)
"Menilmontant" Raphael Fays (Jazz Manouche, Vol. 1)
Follow Faye Alesse on Instagram: @faye.alesse
