Julian Lage ft. Guest Host Don Was | Blue Note Records 85th Anniversary Series | Broken Record

Improvisation

Julian Lage shares his unique approach to improvisation, which he views as a compositional tool. He describes a method where he records short improvisations, then listens to them later to identify trends and develop new material. This process allows him to embrace his musical identity, as he explains, "Every time you improvise, you are kind of stating your language. It's not like I'm going to wiggle around until something happens. You are you."

I want you to listen to that and basically make two lists. On one list, write down everything you notice about it and on the other side of the list, everything you'd like to develop or further.

--- Julian Lage

This reflective practice has led to the creation of numerous songs and a deeper understanding of his musical voice 1 2.

   

Songwriting

Julian's songwriting process is deeply intertwined with improvisation, allowing for organic development of his music. He often begins with a spontaneous idea, which he then refines through a combination of structured writing and improvisation. This method is evident in his work, where he sometimes chooses to leave songs unfinished to preserve their raw emotional impact. "The real drama reveals itself once you've gotten to this kind of tantric thing," he notes, emphasizing the importance of letting a song evolve naturally.

I improvise a lot and record and then transcribe it. That's a big thing, you know.

--- Julian Lage

His approach highlights the balance between meticulous planning and the freedom of improvisation, resulting in music that is both intricate and emotionally resonant 3 4.

   

Collaboration

Collaboration plays a crucial role in Julian's music, particularly with bassist Jorge Roeder. Their partnership, spanning over 16 years, is built on mutual trust and a shared musical vision. Julian appreciates Jorge's willingness to take risks, saying, "There's the sense that we're going to jump off the cliff. I don't know if the parachute's going to open."

But I think just that shared kind of aesthetic has kind of carried. You know, you can be daring, you can be amazing, you can be virtuosos, you can be fast, you can be.

--- Julian Lage

This dynamic allows them to explore new musical territories and create compositions that are both innovative and emotionally impactful 5 6.