Rocksteady Freddie, NYSJE

 
May 2007, "Rocksteady" Freddie Reiter, saxophone and flute player, singer, founder and band leader of the great NYSJE, he played with many bands in the 80's creating the "first era" of the american ska scene, a mix between the english two tone and the jamaican reggae, he played for eight years with the Toasters touring all over the world, since 1994 he play with the NYSJE, he lives in NYC.
1) Can you please tell us about the early days of the NYSJE? how and why was the band born?
NYSJE was started in 1994. Rick Faulkner + I decided to join forces and form a"super band" made from members of NYC's leading ska bands(Toasters,Skatalites+ Scofflaws). At the time, we were both playing with the Toasters and on the 1993 Skavoovie tour we played alongside the Skatalites,Selector + the English Beat.
Almost every night the Skatalites were the crowd favorite and we were amazed that these 60-70 year old men could rock the house with predominantly instrumental ska music. We were inspired and wanted to create our own band which we could play with to "stretch out" -have more solo space as well as trying to expand the boundaries of ska music. Since I was so close to Bucket of Moon records, I knew I could get a record out. Originally the band was just supposed to be a side project but when we met with such public appeal, I decided to take the reins of the band and steer it towards becoming a full time project.
2) You recorded 6 albums with this band wich is your favorite one? if there is one...
Actually there are 8 albums:NYSJE #1Low BlowGet ThisLive in EuropeProperly( 3 song cd)Minor MoodsSkaleidoscopeNYSJE Collection(1994-2005)-this includes tracks from the 1st 6 Cd's + bonus tracksI really love all the albums. For pure energy, the Live album is great. It is truly how the band sounds live(no studio enhancements). The Collection CD has 19 tracks so it is a great representation of the bands versatility.
3) During those 13 years you changed many musicians in the line up, how has the sound changed in the years and what's your feeling about your current line up?
Evry time a band member changes the sound of the band changes. I've been very fortunate in being able to find stellar musicians who can play the NYSJE repertoire. I view the various incarnations like fine wine. They're all good each in their own way. The upcoming line-up for the 2007 tour is no exception.RSFreddie -Sax,Flute,VocalsYao Dinizulu-drums- a consummate drummer who can play any style. Yao's ska-reggae chops keep getting better + better. Yao's played with NYSJE since 2002. He's also performed with Sonny RollinsAberto Tarin-guitar,vocals-A guitar master-the perfect fit for NYSJE- it's just that he lives in Valencia. Alberto has played with Santana amongst others.Earl Appleton-keys-You name the reggae artist and Earl has probably played with them-Sister Carrol,Gregory Isaacs,Burning Spear etc., etc, He gives us a solid reggae groove and his jazz chops are deepMark Paquin-T-bone,vocals- Mark has been playing with NYSJE on + off for 7 years. He always comes to play with an agressive take- no prisoners attitudeChris Weigers-Upright Bass-This tour will be Chris's 3rd or 4th with the band-a truly great jazz soloist.I think we're going to rock hard this summer!!!
4)You toured a lot in the last 20 years all over the world, tell us something funny that happened on tour somewhere!
On our way to the North Sea Jazzfest we got stopped by the police. We were taken out of our vehicle + put on the ground in handcuffs in the rain. It turned out that our driver had a money belt that looked like a gun holster and when we had a rest stop somebody at the service station had called the police to say we were armed which of course we were not. We did get things cleared up with just barely enough time to make the show. When I told the audience that night what had happened, I asked them if we looked like criminals and of course there was a big ovation saying that we did. Maybe this wasn't so funny but truly memorable.
5) What are your best and worst memories of your career?
My best memories are the big shows-10,000 in Praha for Rock the People festival(2006) + The Bob Marley Festival(1998)(a 10,000 fan stadium show in LA). Also, when the fans sing the tunes as we play is always a great feeling. Personally, recording with Lou Reed was a highlight. I try to forget the bad stuff.
6) Tell us something more about Freddie Reiter as a musician, what kind of study did you do? tell us something about your classic and jazz career.
I went to Princeton University as an Undergrad. There I became close friends with Stanley Jordan(jazz guitarist) with whom I lived + performed with . I've studied with Eddie Daniels and Dave Liebman. Classicly, I took some courses at Julliard and studied flute with Fred Heim-the principal piccolo player from the NY Philharmonic as well as a master class with Julius Baker.
7) What's your feeling about the political situation in the world?
Politics-that's tough. I'm concerned about global warming. I think we all have to try to do our part to save this awe-inspiring planet from collapsing. I Hate!@!!George Bush. He is an idiot and an embarassment to America. The sooner he's out the better. Vietnam-I mean Iraq is a very costly mistake-so many lives lost unneccesarily-I'm hoping the USA can fix things soon. I wish there was no religion no color -nothing that could make humans hate each other. It seems to me that war is always in the name of religion or money. How pathetic is that? How about 1 world 1 love!!!!!
8) You were born in NYC and you still live there, how has the city changed since you were kid?
Like everywhere, I think NYC has lost some innocense since I was a kid. There have of course been many great strides but no longer can kids play on the street for fear of being abducted. NYC is still of course the melting pot. In Queens, we have such a shmorgasbourd of ethnicities that it is possible to envision a world with no borders. There are of course many many more people now living here.
9) Touring around Europe did you find some good band that you want to mention?
I like many of the bands we've played with. Desorden Publico from Venezuela has always been one of my favorites.
10) The NYSJE shows are alwais hig energie shows, and watching and hearing you play it seems that you're never tired...where do you find all this damn energie?
Thanks for noticing. It's my belief that as performers we are there to please our audiences. I always want to give 110% to the show-it's my responsibility. Also, I never take for granted what I do for a living. Getting to play music for people is an honor and I don't ever want to be jaded about it. I've been able to travel all over the world with my music and playing a good energetic show is my way of saying thank you to the fans.Also, I tell my bandmates that if we put on a good show we'll be able to come back. So playing the show like it's your last is the way to ensure that you'll be able to return.
11) Wich is your favor musician ever?
That's so hard. Maybe John Coltrane,or Bob Marley
12) And i know is hard, but wich has been the musician who you played with that you enjoyed more?
I've gotten to play or jam or record with the likes of Joe Henderson,Philly Joe Jones,Richie Havens,Boz Scaggs,Joe Jackson,Lou Reed, and many others who have inspired me to keep on playing. There is no singular one.
13) Is time for a new NYSJE album or not?
NYSJE will be recording a new album in NYC in September after our 6 weeks in Europe
14) Thanks Freddie, do you want to say bye to the RUDEBOY CORNER friends?
To the Rudeboy corner friends I say: Thanks for supporting me + NYSJE all these years. Come out to a live show and we'll have a great time together!!!!!!Peace, Rock Steady Freddie
NYSJE myspace: http://www.myspace.com/nysje