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Health & Fitness

Drake Grad Owen Clapp Back from LA on Tour with Hot Jazz Fusion Act Nonagram

Drake grad, bassist Owen Clapp opens up about the Marin musicians and institutions that led to his rising music career. His Jazz fusion trio Nonagram plays SGVCC.org August 21st at 7:30pm ahead of recording at Fantasy Studios.

Drake grad, bassist Owen Clapp opens up about the Marin musicians and institutions that led to his rising music career. His Jazz fusion trio Nonagram plays SGVCC.org August 21st at 7:30pm ahead of recording at Fantasy Studios.

On Wednesday, August 21st at 7:30pm, San Geronimo Valley Community Center presents bassist Owen Clapp with his promising new jazz fusion trio Nonagram. The band has created a distinct new sound drawing from jazz, American folk music, Western classical music, and West African music. Clapp grew up in Woodacre, attending Lagunitas, San Domenico, and Sir Francis Drake High Schools. He was in the Sir Francis Drake High School Latin Jazz Ensemble, the SF Jazz High School All-Stars, and the California All-State Jazz Ensemble. At UCLA Clapp studied with Grammy award winning bassist John Clayton, legendary jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell and downbeat award winning flautist/composer James Newton. Discounted advanced tickets are on sale at sgvcc.org through Tuesday, August 20th; box office opens at 7pm on the day of the show.

Hannah: When did you know that you wanted to be a musician?

Owen: I think that I wanted to be a musician from when I started playing guitar in 3rd grade. Starting on the electric bass in 6th grade was when I realized that people could really do music as a profession. Our family friend Duncan Draper encouraged me to play bass because 'every band needs a bass player’. I feel fortunate to have grown up here in West Marin, where music, and all kinds of creativity really, are supported and encouraged.

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Hannah: What local musicians have inspired you?

Owen: My parents and sister introduced me to different instruments and styles of music when I was younger, but our family friend John Firmin was the one who really encouraged me to take up the electric bass specifically. I don't know if I would be playing music today if it weren't for him. Josh Needleman, my instructor at Bananas at Large, was a very good teacher who taught me the fundamentals of music theory and introduced me to all kinds of music, like jazz and bluegrass.

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Playing jazz really opened a lot of doors for me in terms of getting introduced to a new community of musicians. After I had been playing for a while I happened to meet Schawkie Roth, who lived just down the block from me. He introduced me to Ed Levine, Art Lewis and a whole bunch of fantastic jazz musicians. I am very grateful to have been able to spend time with them and learn about music and life from their years of experience. 

In high school I was fortunate to have to chance to play with Harold Jones. That was such an amazing experience for me, being able to spend time with Harold, who played with the Count Basie Orchestra and many others.

Hannah: What was it like playing jazz as a youth?

Owen: I am struck by how supportive and inclusive the jazz community is, especially in Marin. There are so many great musicians my age who are from the valley and from West Marin. Jack Irving, who organized many excellent showcase concerts for musicians from Drake, brought together the West Marin music community even more. Throughout high school I had a great time playing with my good friends Cullen Gray, Emiliano Flowerman and Riley Stockton in a group called Animal instincts. It was also great to be able to walk right up to Noah and Miles Zaccaglini's house and jam, since they lived so close to me. I think the spirit of the SGVCC talent shows at Lagunitas School is something that has left a lasting impression on me. To me those events are what music is all about -bringing people together to enjoy one another's company and creativity. I owe the fact that I've been able to pursue music to my supportive family and to the music community here in Marin.

Hannah: What are some highlights from your international touring experience?

Owen: Being able to travel and play music for people is one of the real privileges of being a performing musician. Playing house concerts in France with my good friends Jonah, Julian and Phillipe from UCLA was a great experience. That setting is special - there is no stage separating you from the audience. You are standing five feet away from the crowd and the music making feels fresh and inspired. Playing theaters in the city was a lot of fun too - you really pick up on the energy of the crowd. 

Hannah: What's your creative role with Nonagram? 

Owen: Nonagram is a lot of fun. Greg tends to write open-ended music, so that leaves Colin and me lots of room for interpretation. When I play with them, my focus is on finding the right approach to Greg's music - the right sound from my bass, the right bass part for the song. Greg's music is refreshing because there's room for improvisation and experimentation, but the focus is always on the melody and the flow of the song. No promises but I may write some music for the group before we play at the Community Center.

Hannah: What do you advise for high school age musicians who want a career in music?

Owen: Although music may seem like something that people are born good at, it really comes down to spending time with it. There's no substitute for hard work. There's no one way to go about it, but I've found it helpful to be open-minded and open to collaborating with anyone whose music you like.

Hannah: You’re en route to record an album, tell us about that.

Owen: Fantasy Studios is a dream studio for us because we are lucky enough to be working with recording engineer Adam Muñoz, who has worked with some of our favorite musicians. He is the engineer on the majority of Bill Frisell's recordings in the past 20 years or so. It is a special place that has hosted so many great artists over the years so we feel fortunate to be able to spend time there.

Hannah: What does it mean to you to perform at San Geronimo Valley Community Center?

Owen: The San Geronimo Valley Community Center is a very special place for me since I grew up in the valley. I saw some of my first concerts there, and spent lots of time at Lagunitas School as a child. Beyond the fact that it is a beautiful room, the thing that stands out to me is the dedication of the people who work there, and how much they are focused on fostering a sense of community throughout the valley.

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