Legendary drummer Ginger Baker performs tonight at The Howard Theatre as part of the 10th annual DC Jazz Festival. An e-mail appeared unexpectedly in my inbox last month, offering me the opportunity to interview Ginger Baker. He’ll be leading his new quartet tonight at The Howard Theatre as part of the ongoing DC Jazz Festival, supporting his first album in 16 years, Why?.
As someone who dabbles with the drums, of course I jumped at the chance. Then, I remembered everything I saw in the excellent documentary, Beware of Mr. Baker, which portrayed him as a man who has spent the better part of his life struggling with his demons and going through the world with a middle finger extended to nearly everyone around him. If he was willing to give that filmmaker a bloody nose, what kind of interview could I expect?
Then, I remembered all those classic Cream tracks that I played along with during my high school years: “Sunshine of Your Love,” “White Room,” “Toad” and “Politician.” It wasn’t until several years later that I discovered Baker’s work with afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, and only then did I realize the true depth of his artistry. There have been drummers who have played more technically, swung harder or played heavier. But no trap player has ever exceeded the primal connection that Baker had with a drum set, or the swagger with which he played it.
As it turns out, I had nothing to worry about, because in the end I had to settle for an e-mail interview. His manager’s note that accompanied the responses pretty much sums it up: “Ginger is a man of few words.” Those few words are presented, unadulterated, below. They don’t provide much insight into tonight’s performance, except for the fact that the great saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown, Van Morrison, Maceo Parker) will be sharing the stage. Still, they do give a peek into a man who doesn’t intellectualize music as many of its lovers and practitioners tend to do. He’s definitely lost a step, probably just plays when he needs to, but from the outside it seems that he’s just doing his thing and everybody else can go fuck themselves.
DCist: You’ve always stated publicly that you consider yourself a jazz drummer, not a rock drummer. What was it about jazz that drew you to it in your early days? Aside from your big heroes (Phil Seamen, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Max Roach), who were some of the non-drummer musicians you most admired?
Ginger Baker: Jazz was happening when I started playing….Horn players like Bird,Coltrane, Rollins, Shorter, Ornette…
DCist: What was the impetus behind forming this band? Who is in the group and why did you choose these musicians?
GB: I don’t understand “impetus.” Abass Dodoo African drums, Alec Dankworth bass and Pee Wee Ellis horn. Because they are all bloody good musicians.
DCist: Your playing and music has always drawn from international influences. What are some of the inspirations behind the music this band is playing?
GB: We just play what we feel.
DCist: What can the audience expect in terms of the material you’ll be playing?
GB: We play the stuff on the record Why? plus a couple…. don’t expect a super long set ’cause I’m too old.
DCist: What do you hope the audience walks away with after seeing the band play?
GB: A happy feeling.
DCist: I write for a publication focusing on things going around Washington, D.C. Do you have any memorable experiences, musical or otherwise, that took place in this city?
GB: None whatsoever…
Ginger Baker performs at The Howard Theatre tonight as part of the DC Jazz Festival. 6 p.m. doors/8 p.m. show. Tickets $42.50 to $80.
