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Interview: Angela Hagenbach
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What got this band together and started in this business?
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The Angela Hagenbach Quintet started with my desire to sing. After months of
private lessons, research and do diligence, including listening to musicians
around town and selecting my favorites, I booked some gigs. The very best
incentive to acquiring the guys I wanted.
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Who writes and produces all the material for the band?
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Some of the material I write or co-write with my musicians, some are covers with
fresh arrangements by my musical director, Roger Wilder a/o me, others are
compositions based on poems written by my poet friends, Phyllis Becker and
Mark Schroer.
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The band played in front of or with any acts our readers would know from the
mainstream?
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We've opened for Ray Charles at Jazz in Marciac (France) on his last
international tour and also for Poncho Sanchez and Ramsey Lewis most recently.
I personally performed with Frank Foster and his Big Band doing my arrangement
of one of his compositions, Simone. I've also toured and recorded with Clark
Terry and recorded with Russell Malone, Jimmy Heath, Tamir Hendelman, Don Bradon
and others.
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Where can people access your music on the web?
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Any embarrassing moments on stage?
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Once on a debut performance at a LA club, the mic cable dropped out of the mic
I was using during my opening tune during the first chorus! I just kept right
on singing while the sound guy scrambled to fix it. It's not the embarrassing
moment but the recovery that makes all the difference. I got a standing ovation.
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Any good stories you want to tell us?
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So many stories, so little time...
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Who is the bands musical influence?
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Early on I had 3 major influences, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis and Antonio Carlos
Jobim. I've evolved much since then but am still a huge admirer of their music
plus many others. The natural world or truly fine works of art often musically
inspires me, be it audio or visual or just life in general.
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What is your musical background like?
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I grew up in a musical family. My dad was a professional jazz musician in Kansas
City in the 30s and 40s. He played tenor sax, clarinet and flute. He also played
piano and organ at home with my mom, a classically trained pianist. Being the
seventh of eight children, we did a lot of singing in those days and we each
played an instrument or two. Mine was the trombone.
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Any other members in your family that are musicians?
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My oldest brother plays piano and my youngest brother plays electric bass.
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What is the TOP reason why you want to play music?
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The top reason I want to play music is because I love it and it brings me joy.
When I look into the faces of my audiences, I see a similar expression on their
faces. Earning a living doing something creative I enjoy is a very close second.
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What has been your best show?
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Every show!
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