London-based Swiss musician Nicolas Meier is an outstanding guitar player. He has a multidimensional career, playing a wide-range of musical styles, from rock and jazz to world music. He talked to us about his new live album and musical career.
What are your fondest musical memories?
I have some many, they are fond memories at any stages in learning my instrument, watching other artists live and then being on stage… I few I can say are:
I saw the Brecker Brother playing Live at Montreux Jazz Festival with Mike Stern on guitar!
Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, George Whitty, James Genus. That was memorable for me as it has the energy of rock crossing to jazz and other styles.
I also remember seeing John McLaughlin acoustic trio with Trilok Gurtu in Jazz a Juan les pins. John and his wonderful acoustic guitar.
On stage, I have fond memories to take my group and play at the Jazz a Juan Les Pins Revelation in 2006. Winning the competition and then playing a successful show on the main stage.. That was with Asaf Sirki son drums, Tom Mason on bass, Dave O’Higgins on sax and Gilad Atzmon on sax too
Otherwise some highlights have been touring with Jeff Beck, playing at the Sydney Opera house.
What was the first tune you learned?
One of the first tune I learnt was a ZZ Top tune called “Rough Boy” loved that solo from Billy. That’s how I learn about triplets and sextuplets…And many years later I was able to share the stage with Billy Gibbons when we toured with Jeff. I was so excited to hear that tune every night!
What do you consider as the essential elements of your music?
I love to have an interest in many styles of music. So for me it is essential to stay open.
I tried to get as many world music and sound into my music, get influenced by great composer and great players is key. But at the end I know I cannot copy someone and I can only play the way I play. So I tried to develop a personal approach to composing and improvising.
The essential elements are: Lots of world music influence, Turkish, Balkan, middle eastern, north African, Spanish, South American, etc. All with a jazz mind: freedom of improvisation.
How did your musical ideas evolve throughout the years from your debut album to your latest recordings?
Well, I grew up with jazz, classical, rock and metal. Then, I discovered all these sounds from world music, the trio with Al Di Meola, Paco De Lucia, John McLaughlin certainly did help.
I had quite a fusion approach at the beginning, but learning different styles, also jazz, and bebop made me grow up. All the wonderful players I had in my groups also influenced me, the need to have conversations between each players while playing.
I think my compositions also became more story telling songs, reflecting on some places I traveled, getting the feeling of a place and the people.
Who are the musicians you are currently working with?
At the moment I have a wonderful acoustic band, Nicolas Meier World Group, and we did the last two albums together, Peaceful and now Live: Kevin Glasgow on bass, Demi Garcia on percussion and Richard Jones on violin.
In the past years you have recorded and toured with various projects, ranging from jazz fusion to world music. What projects are you currently involved with?
I am very involved with my World Group, and with my guitar project with Pete Oxley, the Oxley Meier Guitar Project. We made our 4th album last year and toured a lot. I play with Singer Gabrielle Ducomble, and I also still play with Dewa Budjana and Jimmy Haslip, New album coming soon.
You started your own label MGP Records. How is the label doing? Do you run it yourself or do you employ a label manager?
I started my label when I realized I had enough contacts to distribute, promote and then sell my own records.
I started it with my friend and bassist Arran McSporran, who plays with me in my metal projects: My Dark Side and SEVEN7.
We released also our metal albums too. It’s a lot of work but it’s great to have control of your music.
I still have some releases with Naim and also Infinity is with Favored Nation (Steve Vai) and I should have a new album out with Jimmy Haslip and Dewa Budjana soon on a new label
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you in terms of work and livelihood?
Yes it affected every artist unfortunately. For me, 6 months and more of concerts cancelled. On the positive side, all the concerts will be postponed to a later date, but we are still not sure when it will start again.
What are you doing these days while there is an order to stay home?
With the Nicolas Meier World Group, we filmed and recorded a show in February. So I was able to mix and make a new album. Called “LIVE” check it on: www.meiergroup.com/music
And then we are slowly releasing the videos… already 2 are out
Manzanita samba:
Besiktas Cafe:
Then I started missing playing, so on day, I played in my garden and noticed that my neighbors loved it. I then streamed a performance to my friends and family which went well.. Now a few weeks later I am doing the “Garden live streaming”! Every week!
It’s already the 8th session and I invite friends to play duo, 2 sessions (2:00 pm and 5:00 pm) a week.
It’s really fun, lots of people are following us and interact with us on the chat line. Feels nice. If people are happy, then they make a donation. So far it works well. Next, we are in trio, making sure the social distance is OK (2meters). I have June and July full of guests; great fun!
More information at www.meiergroup.com/csgi
Then I still compose for future releases and practice regularly.
Of the guitars you play, is there a favorite guitar? Who makes it?
I play Godin Guitars. My favorite is the Multiac nylon. I love all the fretless models, the glissentar, and also the 12 strings guitar sounds wonderful. I have a Godin jazz model too and I use Music Man John Petrucci for rock guitar: 6 and 7 strings.
How do you decide which guitar you use in your diverse projects?
I get a very different feel between each guitar, so it’s quite easy to decide which guitar to use.
In what ways are you promoting your music?
I distribute all my music through my website and I have an online distributor. I promote a lot by myself when I have a new release and have a list of contacts to try to get the music heard, get an interview or album review, radio play, etc. I get often help from Leonardo [Pavkovic] from Moonjune records.
If you could invite additional musicians or bands to collaborate with, who would it be?
I am very pleased with all the musicians I collaborate so far in my group. I am so happy to have a great relationship with Pete Oxley too. And looking forward to more things with Dewa and Jimmy.
More than inviting people I would love to join some of my Hero’s bands… like Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, etc. But these are nice dreams. Well, I did play with Jeff [Beck], who is a guitar legend. I hope we do more things together. So it’s still nice to have dreams like these.
Do you give classes or workshops?
Sometimes I give some workshops and masterclasses which is fun. I did a few on Duke Ellington, Jobim and bossa nova, Miles [Davis] and I am doing one on Wes Montgomery next week! Sometimes we do master classes before a concert. That attracts more people to the concert.
How do you distribute your music?
On my website, which is straight forward. I have an online distributor.
Aside from the release of “Peaceful”, do you have any additional upcoming projects to share with us?
Yes the new album “Live” is very exciting. The new album with Jimmy and Dewa which will come out next year I think.
I still release my more metal music, but mainly on videos…
With Arran on bass:
More information at www.meiergroup.com
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.