This is a transcript of an interview I did with Bazi Baker, who was completing his undergraduate degree in 2010 at the Christchurch Jazz School in New Zealand. Some insightful, pertinent questions on comping within a jazz context. 1. What are some things you feel that beginning compers are not aware of or forget to think about? Volume, dynamic, time keeping, listening to the musical environment, interaction with the band 2. Can you pin point some characteristics you like in a good comper? Someone who: feels good to play with, is sympathetic to the ideas that soloist / vocalist / … [Read more...]