Originally published in Earshot Jazz November 2014
“Having chemistry on the stage is really, REALLY important!” saxophonist Alexey Nikolaev says. Not the kind of chemistry involving careful experiments and lab coats, but the unctuous intuition between performers that greases the gears of improvisation. And that ingredient is precious, priceless, and rare. “You have to pay a lot of attention to EVERYTHING that's happing in the band. You have to keep your ears open and respond really quick, this way you can really create music.”
Nikolaev’s accent is from Russia, near Moscow. He inherited musicianship from his father Vladimir and mother Olga. The Russian winters were no match for the passionate artistic fire in his heart. With a Bachelor of Arts in Saxophone and Arrangement, he graduated from Gnesin’s Music Academy of Russia. Gnesin, considered second only to the elite Moscow Conservatory, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. During the year after graduation, Nikolaev studied with saxophonist Dave Liebman in Dublin, Ireland. Liebman’s direct lineage to the jazz tradition through his work with Elvin Jones and Miles Davis oriented Nikolaev to the artistic path ahead.
“I listen all the time to all my favorite saxophonists – Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Wayne Shorter, and Michael Brecker.” The common denominator of this list is fluid technique, bold rhythmic playfulness, and distinct tones. That focus extends to younger saxophonists that catch Nikolaev’s ear – Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Joe Lovano, and Seamus Blake.
Nikolaev combines all that listening with hours of practice. Nikolaev describes his jazz practice of working on patterns in a variety of keys but changing rhythms “to make it sound more complicated but more interesting at same time.”
Nikolaev also loves classical music and mines it for “ideas of structure, forms, melodic lines, and harmonic approaches.” Currently he is mastering the five movements of “Carnival of Venice,” technical mazes built on the German folk song “My Hat, It Has Three Corners.” And he goes beyond the written page, extending the patterns on the saxophone two octaves higher than the normal range of the instrument.
The payoff for all this hard work is Nikolaev’s greatest joy – “Playing the music I want to play with the players I love to play with. It doesn't matter what style of music we play. They can understand everything that I play and I can hear what they do and also follow them.”
While Nikolaev’s immense talent and accomplished career may intimidate some, not bassist Emmanuel del Casal. The two frequently work together at the Fairmont Hotel’s Georgian Room and agree on the essential need of musical chemistry. “I also find that good chemistry is not only on the bandstand but off the bandstand as well. There are many players in town with whom I feel good chemistry. Alexey is certainly one of those players. I love his feel, time, and virtuosity, and enjoy his company just as much.”
Trumpet/saxophone/flute master Jay Thomas also notes Nikolaev’s two strengths of musical skill and personal warmth. Thomas first met Nikolaev at a jam session. “He has an aggressive tenor approach and is built like a fireplug but when you talk to him he is sweet and gentle!”
A frequent collaborator is drummer Greg Williamson. “I've had the pleasure of playing with Alexey-bear for many years now. Seems like yesterday that he blew me away with his commitment to every musical phrase he played. And he continues to be brilliant, giving out ideas for the rest of the band to bounce around. Whatever the mood, he buoys the performance with continuous forward momentum, encouraging and partaking in the rejoiceful climaxes.”
In November, you can follow Nikolaev and experience his chemistry at:
Nov 1, 7pm w/ Doctor Funk, Bake’s Place, Bellevue
Nov 2, 4pm w/ Chuck Kistler Quintet, Waterfront Community Center, Bainbridge Island Nov 8 & 9, 7pm w/ Greg Williamson Quartet, Boxleys Jazz Club, North Bend
Nov 11, 8pm w/ Emerald City Jazz Orchestra, Tula’s, Seattle
Nov 21, 6pm w/ Emmanuel Del Casal, Olympic Hotel, Seattle
Nov 28, 8pm w/ Greta Matassa Quartet, Tula’s, Seattle
Nikolaev also appears one day a month at these regular sessions:
Tue, 10pm w/ Jose Martinez Quartet, Owl Thistle Club, Seattle
Thu, 9pm w/ Adam Kessler trio, Barca, Seattle
Visit http://www.edcc.edu/programs/humanities/music/faculty/alexey-nikolaev.html to read more about Alexey.
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