The Tony Dagradi Interview

A negative thing that happens (on the bandstand) is that you get in the way of what music “could happen.” I try to stay out of the way and allow whatever’s about to come through to come through. The other magic that happens is with other players on the bandstand. You have to have a connection with those people, and they all basically have to be looking for the same kind of revelations. That’s what I find with Astral Project, we’re all very trusting on the bandstand. All the great bands have trust between the players and that’s why certain things happen. Johnny Vidacovich is a great example because his mantra is “making whatever’s on the band stand sound as good as it can be.” As a drummer he can really control that, and he can really control that in any genre, that’s the amazing thing about him. If it’s a country and western gig, he’s going to bring it to a higher level. If it’s the highest level of the jazz gig, he’s going to go there too. I try to bring that to what I do as well. It’s an ongoing process The longer you play the more consistency you have, but even within that there’s highs and lows, even with the best musicians.