For this series of bloggy interviews, I’ve shared questions with young artists and musicians living in New York. This time: trumpeter and composer Nadje Noordhuis. I’ve met her through my friend and former neighbor Leala Cyr and I’m excited that she wanted to be part of this little Q&A – couch session. In addition to the questions, we met up and played a few songs in my place in Brooklyn together. She brought her pedals and we both jammed for a bit, and here is our collaboration.
Q&A with Nadje Noordhuis
* WHERE ARE YOU FROM, WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT HOME?
I’m from Sydney, Australia. I miss my family and my friends most of all, followed by the beaches, the wine, and seafood.
* FAVORITE PLACE IN THE CITY
My favorite venues are the 55 Bar and the Jazz Standard. My nostalgic favorites are The Hungarian Pastry Shop, and Tom’s Restaurant (the Brooklyn one). I need my local coffee shops in Ditmas Park, and MoMA.
* FAVORITE NEW MUSIC
My musical taste is pretty eclectic – I’ve been getting into Penny & Sparrow, Townes Van Zandt, Gabriel Kahane, and Ghost.
* FAVORITE OLD MUSIC
I am a big Nick Cave fan. He was the first concert that I ever went to at age fourteen, and I just saw him at Barclays last month. He’s my absolute favorite.
* WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE NON-MUSIC THING TO DO
I love hanging with friends for a home cooked meal – that always hits the soul. I love to Skype with my niece and nephew. And I knit, and read, and go for walks in Prospect Park. Any chance I get to hang upstate, especially up near Woodstock, I take!
* WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON MUSICALLY
I’m learning more about how to use my crazy pedalboard – every time I play, I discover something new. And discover what I thought I could do but can’t actually replicate. It’s a beast. But I love it. I’m also playing a lot of piano, and writing more tunes.
* WHATS YOUR GREATEST FANGIRL MOMENT?
I met Kenny Wheeler once but was too shy to play in front of him at a workshop. Years ago I met my heroes Fred Hersch and Matt Wilson, and I’m super thrilled to be touring with both of them next year. I would love to meet Manfred Eicher from ECM. And I think I would pass out if I met Nick Cave.
* CRAZIEST GIG EXPERIENCE
About sixteen years ago in Melbourne, at 8am in a public park, I was crouched in the garden with my trumpet in a gym bag, waiting for the cue of a wave of a straw hat, where I had to leap out and play Amazing Grace for a group of people on a tour of the park. Someone saw me waiting to play and asked if I was okay.
* WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?
I honestly don’t know. Things change so quickly, and I am always up for an adventure. So I may be still playing and teaching and writing, or maybe doing something completely different. No clue!
* YOUR WEBSITE
www.nadjenoordhuis.com & www.littlemysteryrecords.com
* LINK TO A VIDEO OF YOU
