Interview with Grant
Geissman
Fans who visited recent performances by Van Dyke Parks will surely remember the extraordinary guitar-playing of Grant Geissman. A closer look into the liner notes of VDP's more recent CDs reveals that he performed on Van Dyke Parks' and Brian Wilson's album Orange Crate Art and that he also had been part of the band performing on "Moonlighting! - Live At the Ash Grove". Grant Geissman has recorded with such artists as Quincy Jones, David Benoit, Ce Ce Peniston, Dan Siegel, Chuck Mangione, Dan Hill, Sheila E., Carl Anderson, Keiko Matsui, Placido Domingo, Luis Miguel, and Paula Abdul. In last year he toured with Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello. A popular contemporary jazz recording artist and composer in his own right, he has recorded twelve albums, the latest released in 1998 called In With The Out Crowd. More information on Grant Geissman, including some sound samples from his recent CDs, can be found on his website at www.grantgeissman.com.
The following interviewed was held in written form (via e-mail) in February 2000. Thanks to Grant Geissman for taking the time to answer the questions on his work with Van Dyke Parks.
What music did initially inspire you to pick up a guitar and make music yourself? How old were you back then?
When I heard the Beatles at the age of twelve, I decided that I simply had to get a guitar and learn how to play it. Once I picked it up, I really never put it down!
Why did you decide to become a professional?
They had one of those "career days" when I was in junior high school, and I really had no idea what I wanted to do for a living. I came home and mentioned it to my mom, who said "why don't you play guitar? It's what you like to do." Until then, I don't think I had any idea that you could actually make a living playing guitar, but from that day on I knew that was what I was going to do.
What music/ which musicians have inspired your playing through your career?
There are so many. To name a few: Beatles; Beach Boys; Cream; Crosby, Stills, and Nash; James Taylor; Blood, Sweat and Tears; Chicago; Chet Atkins; B.B. King; John Coltrane; Charlie Parker; Dizzy Gillespie; Ornette Coleman; Wes Montgomery; Kenny Burrell; Joe Pass; Larry Carlton; Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays; The Police/Sting; and so many more. And last but not least, Van Dyke Parks.
Whose musical work - even if totally unrelated to the music that you play yourself - has amazed you especially?
All of the above!
Who has been a special inspiration for your guitar playing?
Jerry Hahn, who is a kind of jazz/avant guard guitar player whom I had the good fortune to study with for a couple of years when I was in high school and college. He really opened my eyes to other ways of playing the guitar and listening to music.
You have recorded several jazz albums of your own. Do you also perform your own music live?
Yes, I do, although the record company would like me to do it more often!
Your website does not only present you as a dedicated musician,
but also as a dedicated collector. You collect MAD magazines and have even
published a collector's guide. Anything special in that field that you are
still desperately hunting after?
There was some silver plated jewelry with the "Alfred E. Neuman" face made in 1957 that was sold only through the MAD offices, and I'm especially looking for the charm bracelet version of this. I'm also looking for foreign versions of MAD, and any foreign collectibles (busts, jewelry, pins, posters, et cetera).
How did you get involved with Van Dyke Parks?
I first worked with Van Dyke on one of his film scores, I think it was called "Bastard Out of Carolina," in the early 1990s. Later I was recommended to Van Dyke by a music contractor to come in and play on "Orange Crate Art," which was a dream come true for me, because that music is so timeless and special.
He seems to work in a very unusual speed in the studio, as
Tokyo Rose, for example, had been recorded in only three days.... How would
you describe the working atmosphere in the studio?
Very fun, because Van Dyke is such a character, with such a great sense of humor!
It is known that Parks arranges all his music before going into the studio. Does it happen that he completely rewrites arrangements in the studio?
I don't think he ever completely rewrites arrangements in the studio, but things get changed here and there, as is often the case with recorded music in general.
Did Brian Wilson have any input into the studio work during the sessions for Orange Crate Art apart from singing vocals?
As far as I know, Brian just came in and sang, and the music and arrangements were all Van Dyke's baby. I know Brian was never there when I was, although I did see him coming and going from doing his vocal sessions.
When you work with Parks in the studio, do you get exactly transcribed sheet music, or just rough guide lines to improvise over?
He usually has very complete music detailing everything he is doing on the piano. I find that the challenge with Van Dyke's music as a guitar player is to decide what to play and what not to play, and where to add my own interpretation and when to stick with what is on the paper.
Does VDP transcribe exact arrangements or do
you improvise when you perform live with him and Lee Sklar?
I have to say that it's a little of both!
Just a question about a minor mystery that some concert goers among the readers have witnessed. There has been an ongoing comment on "Cincinnati" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on stage. Can you tell us about the background of this?
I don't remember the exact thing he said, but Van Dyke is fond of word play, and is very fast with a joke, so I'm sure that whatever he said was purely in jest!
Do you remember any especially memorable incidents during your work with VDP?
It's all memorable, and I feel lucky to be able to play such great music with such a talented, and not to mention quirky individual. He is certainly one of a kind!
Where are we likely to hear you playing this year? Any studio dates scheduled yet, any gigs planned?
We are playing in Ojai, California in a week or so, and later in the year we have something in Arkansas. I have also been doing some work with Van Dyke on his album of folk music that will be released through Warner/Japan, which I think is going to be great.
Thank you very much for taking the time to give us some insight into your work with Van Dyke Parks.
My pleasure!