Interview: Tim Jenkins

Tim Jenkins: When I was 15.

Tim Jenkins: The guitars I play most often are an Epiphone Emporer Jazz box, a Samick semi-hollow body, and a Takamine acoustic guitar. Live with the trio I use a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, and a Line 6 Delay Modeler.

Tim Jenkins: The most important thing is that my writing should be intuitive. If I think too much about the direction a song "should" go, instead of allowing it to
happen naturally I usually am dissatisfied with the results. Composition really
separates an artist from someone who is soley a musician, in my opinion. If I
am to be viewed in any way, I would like it to be as a composer.

As an improviser, I would like to cut to the chase a little more melodically. Central to this is playing only what I truly hear in that moment, or can sing in that moment. This typically has very little to do with 32nd notes.

Tim Jenkins: Not neccessarily. If the lyric speaks to me and the melody is strong, I can be quite happy playing or texturing in a way that serves the composition.

That being said, I am not at all interested in playing in a setting where I am not allowed to be myself musically, so if we are talking about some form of what most folks would consider popular music, I am certain I could be more expressive with instrumental music.

Tim Jenkins: I don't really know. Part of me thinks I'd like to though.

Tim Jenkins: Delirious Tremor will begin recording our fourth CD this fall.(2004). I feel confident the melodies are the strongest I have ever written, and I have high hopes for the album artistically. The trio finished an East Coast tour this summer,and are hoping to go out again soon.

I do a fair amount of solo guitar performances and try to improvise a composition or two each night. I have been recording these improvisations in hopes that I will capture some inspired stuff.

I am also planning to record a solo record, using only acoustic instruments and hopefully release it some time in the next six months.

Tim Jenkins: Honestly, most of the magazines I have seen seem to cater to 14 or 15 year olds. I think most of their coverage is centered around rock players. Guitar Player seemed to at least try to present a little diversity as I remember.

A magazine I do really love is Just Jazz Guitar. The interviews are terriffic and I think they strike a nice balance between jazz guitar tradition and more modern players . As far as I know, it is available only through subscription and I highly recommend it.

Tim Jenkins: I have discovered that I dislike the business end of things a great deal. Phone calls, e-mail, promotion, etc., all take an artist out of his element in my experience. I don't want to be responsible for anything except writing, recording and playing the music for folks. This is all moot as an indie musician, of course, because someone has to do all that stuff whether they are suited for it or not. I would imagine that most labels have someone whose job it is to promote, market, schedule, etc.

A major advantage to releasing CDs on your own is not having to worry about
making anyone a profit. This allows me to make fewer concessions in regards to
making the record I want to make.

Tim Jenkins: Play everywhere. Get in a van and play anywhere. Oh yeah, and make t-shirts. People who won't buy your record will wear your t-shirt. Isn't that weird?

Tim Jenkins: I will continue composing. I would like to become more proficient at arranging for various instrumentation. I can see myself recording an album or so with little or no guitar.

I would certainly like to tour more with Delirious Tremor. I had a dream the other night with hundreds of pianos in my house. Maybe I should play more piano.

Tim Jenkins: Probably someone like Ralph Towner. He is far more interested in being a musician than he is in being a guitar player (helps that he plays a lot of instruments). I think he could play on my stuff beautifully. Hopefully I could find a
way to complement his music.