New York Guitarist Olli Soikkeli Releases New Album

JGT contributor Joe Barth talks to Olli Soikkeli about his new album, New York Trio.

One of the most active guitarists in New York City is Olli Soikkeli. Olli is equally at home playing gypsy jazz, Brazilian, as well as bebop.  Olli’s artistry has graced the stages of Lincoln Center, Birdland, Blue Note, and Iridium as well as other great stages of New York and beyond.  He has just released a new album, New York Trio.

JB:  The album opens with an upbeat tune, “That Old Feeling.”  Were you impacted by the Virginia Verrill version from the film Vogues of 1938 or maybe the Chet Baker, or the Frank Sinatra 1960 version?

OS:  I’m not actually familiar with the Virginia Verrill version, but I will check it out! I think it was Paul Desmond’s version featuring Jim Hall on guitar is how I got introduced to the song, and then, of course, heard all the great versions by Chet etc. One of my favorite ones, though, is the duo version of it by Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass! That whole record is incredible.

JB:  Big shoes to fill by moving on to George Benson’s “Clockwise” that he opened his It’s Uptown” with.

OS: I know! I’ve been a George Benson fan as long as I can remember, and I recently discovered that we share the same birthday, March 22nd! I love the tune because of how often you get to play a burning blues, and the send-off to the solos is super hip! Another classic burning Benson blues is ‘The Cooker’.

JB:  Of all of Monk’s tunes, what drew you to “Ugly Beauty”?

OS:  We needed a 3/4 tune, which also serves as a ballad for the record. I believe “Ugly Beauty” is the only waltz by Monk, and it’s such a gorgeous tune. I heard Ed Cherry playing it at Mezzrow in New York a couple of years ago and thought Wow, it fits perfectly for the guitar.

JB:  I love the up-tempo and how you swing Irving Berlin’s “The Best Thing for You.” Tell me what drew to this song?

OS:  I fell in love with “Best Thing for You” a long time ago and first thought it would work perfectly in the Django setting since the melody harmony has a bit of gypsy vibe and no one does it in the Gypsy Jazz scene. Our drummer, Ben Zweig had the great arrangement idea of trading 4s with the drums up front. 

JB:  Bassist Mike Paul Sikivie and drummer Ben Zweig play superbly.  What do you appreciate most about these two musicians?

OS:  Paul Sikivie must be one of the greatest bass players around! No wonder he’s the main bassist for Samara Joy and Cecile McLorin Salvant.  I’ve had the privilege of knowing Paul for many, many years, and by now we’ve probably played hundreds of gigs together. Paul Sikivie actually recommended Ben Zweig for a gig, and that’s how we started to play together as a trio. Ben is a perfect fit because he is not only a master of jazz drumming, but he has a deep knowledge of Brazilian music from the early choro, as you can hear his superb pandeiro playing on Bola Preta, to the modern samba jazz. My idea for the trio has always been to mix different styles. 

JB:  I can’t ask about every song.  With “Jingles” how much did you have in mind the classic version that Wes Montgomery did?  You sure put the tempo up a few notches.

OS: The Idea of playing “Jingles” as a fast burner came from the famous YouTube video of Benny Green, Russell Malone and Christian McBride playing it live in Italy. It’s just ridiculous! 

JB:  “Why close the album with Duke’s “Azure?”

OS:  Last year I played more Duke’s music in celebration of his 125th birthday and discovered this beautiful Hank Jones arrangement of “Azure” where they go into a blues for the solos. Hank Jones has been a big influence on me over the past couple of years. For some reason, I like to finish a record with something “chill” and peaceful.

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