Touring jazz musicians warmed up a cold November night in Lethbridge on Monday. The Andrea Superstein Jazz Trio brought their unique take on jazz to the Mortar and Brick Art Gallery, sharing the stage with Juno-nominated musician Elizabeth Shepherd.
“I’m really influenced by all the things I listen to and I don’t listen primarily to jazz. I think we’re always influenced by our environment. I love soul music. I love ’50s doo-wop music, I love modern indie music,” said Superstein.
The Vancouver-based musician is currently on a cross-Canadian tour promoting her album Worlds Apart, made up of mostly original works.
That album’s inspiration stems from an experience Superstein had crossing the street, walking towards a woman who had her eyes on her phone and was not looking up.
“She didn’t even realize what was right in front of her… On the SkyTrain, everyone’s on their phones – all sitting next to each other and no one’s really connecting. So, for me that idea that technology can bring us together and tear us apart at the same time was the impetus for writing this particular record,” said the Montreal native.
Being able to connect with others is important to Superstein, including during her live performances, where she encourages audience participation.
“It’s really about making music, but also about the rapport with the audience and so that comforts me… I think the more interaction that I can get from the people who are here – the better, because that puts me at ease,” she said.
Superstein was backed up by James Meger on bass, Kyle Hutchins on drums and accompanied by Shepherd on the keyboard.
“Most of the time – there’s always a moment of – I don’t know if it’s nervousness anymore or excitement – like the adrenaline rush,” said Shepherd, describing how she feels during a live performance.
Shepherd is an acclaimed jazz musician and produced Superstein’s most recent album, in addition to touring with her. The Juno nominee studied classical and jazz piano at a conservatory but grew up playing church music.
“I moved around a bunch – every two or three years – and the church music was a constant. That was the most normal thing is my life – was making music,” said Shepherd.
Superstein said she is writing new music, but there are no plans for an album release any time soon.
“[I am] really focused on the tour right now, which goes until the end of January. And after that, I’m going to take some time to figure out what I want to do. I want to take some time to do more writing,” she said.