Page 27 - BiTS_07_JULY_2020

LL: In 2018 you were awarded a US Artist’s Fellowship award, recognizing your contributions
to your field, and an unrestricted $50,000 award. WOW, and Congratulations! How are you
benefiting from that award, and how are spending all that money?!

RF: Winning this prestigious award was also very validating for me. I was among so many

other artists, musicians and playwrights in the room whom I truly admired and discovered. It was a
reminder that what I write can change the world and inspire more artists. Also, the award money
has come in handy in this pandemic. I've upgraded my home studio for recording which I operate
every day since we've been in lock down.

LL: Let’s talk about your new release,

“Ruthie Foster Big Band Live At The
Paramount”. I have to say, that going by
the title and the look of the cover, it’s not
what I was expecting at all! When I think
of “Big Band” music, I think jazz swing
feel and jazz horn arrangements, but with
the exception of the two jazz standards

(Fly Me To The Moon and Mack The
Knife), and a section of one other tune, all
the 11 other wonderful tracks don’t swing
at all! Instead, the album has a definite
gospel church-revival vibe. Quite the

surprise! Did you plan it that way? Can
you tell us about your thought process and
design of this work please?

RF: I didn't want to create an actual swing
band project that would involve doing the standards (which really were considered popular songs

in their time). Although I'm very capable of doing that, I wanted to recreate what I did in the US
Navy Big Band while I was in Charleston, South Carolina. We could perform any song in popular
music with a 22-piece big band and rhythm section. By adding brass and woodwinds to what you
may already hear in a song adds to and can elevate any arrangement. John Beasley, my arranger
captured what I wanted from the songs I chose which were pre-recorded on other albums, but now

they have a lot more energy and fluidity on this album. Plus, because it's a live performance I got a
chance to introduce and chat about each song.

LL: Please tell us a bit about your conductor, your arranger, and your musicians on this
album.

RF: Dr John Mills was the conductor of the ensemble used on the album. He's a well-known jazz

sax/flute player and arranger in Austin. He's played onstage with several acts that come through
the city such as Bonnie Raitt, David Byrne and others. He's also a professor in the music school at
the University of Texas. The arrangements for the charts on the album were written by John
Beasley from Los Angeles, California. The musicians who played were recruited from around the
Austin area and perform and tour with multiple artists in the soul, rock and jazz genre.