Podcast 528: A Conversation with Tony Lustig

If you go to the New York Clubs, you’ve probably seen Tony Lustig capably filling the Baritone Sax chair in Big Bands lead by the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Arturo O'Farrill, Gerald Wilson and, George Gee, amongst others. The release of his quintet album, Taking Flight, allows us to see another side of this talented musician. Lustig has wisely surrounded himself with top musicians, with whom he shares roots from his days at Michigan State and Julliard. The rhythm section - Samora Pinderhughes (piano), Ben Williams (bass), and Ulysses Owens (drums) – is rock steady, and allows the wide variety of tunes to swing, strut or funk along. The unusual pairing of Lustig’s bari (or sometimes bass clarinet) with Michael Dease’s trombone shows off the strong melodies Lustig has written with an entirely different sonic palette than the more traditional alto sax or trumpet. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Tony was introduced to the world of music through the violin, but when his school failed to offer a strong music program, he took up the alto sax his sister had abandoned. Eventually, this lead to a transition from alto to baritone saxophone, spurred on by his love of the sound and music of Gerry Mulligan.  Like so many other youngsters playing around Detroit over the past four decades he was mentored by, and played with, such local greats as the late Marcus Belgrave and Rodney Whitaker. Podcast 528 is my conversation with Tony, as we talk about his writing style, how he hopes to expand jazz to a larger audience, and his current projects, which includes a Horn Band a la Chicago or Tower of Power with an Indie Rock flavor. Musical selections from Taking Flight include “Change is Comin’”, “Fraytown” (in honor of his hometown in the Detroit suburbs), “Prometheus” and “Burning Grease.”