QA & With

Qn. Who inspired you to make music? My Mom and Dad were the first to inspire and encourage me, they were both singers. I started playing piano at the tender age of

J. Staton

four taking private lessons. My sister and I quit around age twelve because were teased So, I tried drums, guitar, and trombone. I did not like any of those instruments.

My dad took me to my first jazz concert to see Stanley William Tarentine. He was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. He began his career playing R&B for Earl Bostic and later soul jazz recording for the Blue Note label from 1960, touched on jazz fusion during a stint on CTI in the 1970s.

One day my dad came home with a saxophone. and found my passion for music began taking private lessons from my mentor Mr. Carl W. Clark, my band director and Reginald Walker. They both inspired and pushed me.

Qn.What musical team of producers would you most like to collaborate with? Adam Hawley, Kirk Whalum, Marcus Anderson, Jeff Lorber, Gerald Albright, and Brian Simpson.

Qn. What is your favorite song to perform? Everything Must Change.

Qn. What Famous musicians do you admire? Prince, Michael Jackson, Kirk Whalum.

Qn. Walk us through a day in your life as an artist? I work a full-time job. I came home to prepare dinner. There are times I will get in my studio to practice, create, and pray for guidance. I will share a glass of wine with my wife, and I am off to bed.

Qn. What advice do you have for anyone striving in business? Cultivate your gift, be the best you can be, do not give up, surround yourself with positive people and pray.

Qn. Do you remember your first recital? Yes, my first audition for the ALL-Regional Band in Junior High.

Qn. While writing music, where does your inspiration come from? My life experience and listening to other music.

Qn. What’s the most important aspect of a song, is it the melody, the groove, or the beat? Melody that is what you remember, then the beat and the groove that is what keeps you.