RICKY SWEUM

Tenor Sax: P. Mauriat PMXT-66RUL
Mouthpiece: Morgan Cool .085
Mouthpiece: Ted Klum FocusTone™ Handcrafted Solid Silver 7
Neck: KB Saxophone Necks Vanguard Brass C-69
Thumb Rest: RULON Saxophone Thumb Rest (Rhodium Plate)
Reeds: Boston Sax Shop Black Label 
Reeds: Vandoren Java Red Box
Neck Strap: Just Joe’s Gel Strap
Case: Boston Sax Shop Ambassador II
Other: Key Leaves Sax Key Props & Vent Vine™

From the, "The New Face of Jazz: An Intimate Look at Today’s Living Legends and the Artists of Tomorrow" [A Random House Book 2010]

By Cicily Janus – photography by Ned Radinsky [Excerpt from book - used by permission from the author]

Ricky Sweum

“Music is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and rediscovery.”

BACKGROUND AND SOUND

Award-winning saxophonist Ricky Sweum has emerged through the scenes in New York and Colorado as an upcoming master of the craft. He landed on his own two feet with a record deal from Origin Record and tours with the very best in the industry, from solo musicians to Broadway. In the past he has been a member of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop under the tutelage of Jim McNeely and Michael Abene, toured with nationally touring Broadway companies, and performed with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and other greats such as Clark Terry, James Moody, and Terry Gibbs. Recognizing those who have helped him with his initial shove toward the top, Ricky is putting his sweat and earnest belief into everything he does in order to create a journey that will last him a lifetime.

HIS STORY

Jazz isn’t a style as much as a way the musicians have learned to play what it is they play. You can’t separate playing from listening; you have the ability as a musician to respond to what’s around you in a way that’s different than every other kind of music. The essence is living, responding, listening, and stretching. Life is about movement and flexibility, and jazz speaks life to me. Focusing music into something greater than the musicians themselves allows their intent to permeate energy to listeners. It has the effect of inspiration within the process of mastery. When I first got into music it was about being excited about something I didn’t understand. This was followed by the realization that music is a set of skills, a craft, a model on how one can conduct their life. With it came this feeling of responsibility to master these skills, but that mastery never comes. At that point, it becomes a continuous process of self-discovery. I’m still blown away now, twenty-five years later, the same way I was on day one. I didn’t even and still don’t know what I don’t know.

I think the biggest thrill for me is when someone comes up to me and they know nothing about music and yet they’re inspired. Maybe not musically, but the inspiration to repeat whatever process they’re into and create something new that couldn’t be created by themselves is great. You are your only self, and by bringing two, three, or five people more that are equally inspired it creates something that wouldn’t be if you were alone. It’s alchemy of inspiration and passion. Jazz is just one form of this alchemy-a microcosm of creative life in general throughout the whole universe. Even if you play something that’s been done before, it’s not the same-a new, different moment that represents now. For audiences I would hope they appreciate who I am in that moment. This music must be given one’s full attention, a worthy chance. Anywhere throughout music, if it’s a typical place, it takes on the background role, and this negatively influences musicians. They take on a background role and create that moment to the uninspired and passionless performances. It’s a disservice to what it is we’re trying to create. The subtlety of everything that’s trying to happen is completely covered over. The audience, on the other hand, can inspire the performer.

Jazz is not a style that can be defined, it’s a living, breathing and constantly changing in its own time music. It gets down to the basics of energy effecting energy. Jazz is freedom within restrictions. Fill yourself with passion, desire-a raw energy you can use and create something new. Don’t discard anything because it doesn’t fit the mold you’re trying to learn. Keep it. Save it for later. Music is a lifelong journey of self- discovery and rediscovery. Remain open, as this is allowing whatever is there to be the perfect thing. If you approach what you’re doing in music from that standpoint, you’ll hear the mood and make it fun for the listener and performer. It’s an undeniable force, a visceral experience of combined energies.

Meet Ricky Sweum | Jazz saxophonist, educator, composer, recording artist, and music producer.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ricky Sweum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ricky, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
For me, there has been no better alignment to success than daily disciplined action toward my goals. I must have something I’m working toward, and then, I have to work toward it, small steps, by small steps. I believe the process is the most important aspect of success, not the accomplishment of a goal. The process is a daily mindful practice and routine that constitutes the “doing” of creativity. As an artist, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I complete a project, record a new album, write a song, produce a track, etc…, but, it’s the daily process of creating, regardless of the completion of the goal, that is what being an artist is for me. Living in the headspace of creating and working toward the craft of my art is what leads to success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve performed music for audiences in every U.S. state and nine other countries for more than 20 years, and one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is, music is a universal language that bridges cultural differences. Embedded in this realization is that, music at its deepest level, is NOT about the music. Rather, music is a non tangible energetic force that brings people together in a shared transcendental experience. Music is about listening, being open, responding in meaningful ways, and saying yes to the experience being presented. Music is the means to create a vibe for others, and musicians must be in service to that vibe. The intent behind my music is to stimulate people’s creative passions. Everyone has creative potential, and everyone expresses creativity in unique ways. It’s my hope that hearing my music will inspire listener’s creative juices to live and express life in more unharnessed ways.

I’m first and foremost an improvising musician. Improvisation is about bringing life and relevance to the present moment; improvisers listen to those around them and ask the question, “What is needed in this moment?” Sometimes that means, doing nothing and simply observing, other times it means adding something that supports what’s currently happening, other times it means bringing contrast to what’s already established. An improviser is listening and responding based on what’s happening in THIS moment. I strive to live life as an improviser.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve lived and toured around the world, and one of the things I know I love most is being in, or close to mountains and wooded forests. Therefore, I feel fortunate to live in Colorado, and I do my best to spend time in nature on a regular basis. The Japanese have a practice called, Shinrin Yoku, which translates roughly to Forest Bathing in English. This is the practice of spending time with trees, walking underneath them, barefoot if possible, to refresh and energize in the forest’s vibrational frequencies. This method has proven to give mental and health benefits, and if for no other reason, it’s a beautiful way to unplug from our hectic societal lifestyle. Therefore, my recommendations for what to do in Colorado, would be to head towards the mountains, or go to your favorite city park and spend time touching the Earth with you hands and feet. Some of my favorites are hiking Barr Trail up Pikes Peak, camping at Barr Camp, and hiking the Stanley Canyon Trail.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank my mother for teaching me the practice of mindfulness from a very early age. She helped ingrain in me the skill of going within and finding connection and peace amidst the challenging times of my life. My mother showed me how to feel a sense of connection with all existence in our universe, and I’ll always be grateful to her for this.

Original Online Article