Darius Jones - Sunday Interview ~ The Free Jazz Collective

Photo by Niclas Weber

What is your greatest joy in improvised music?

The unknown
What quality do you most admire in the musicians you perform with?

The ability to listen deeply and be fearlessly themselves.
Which historical musician/composer do you admire the most?

Sun Ra
If you could resurrect a musician to perform with, who would it be?

Ed Blackwell
What would you still like to achieve musically in your life?

I have so much to still achieve but I would love to have a band with a consistent group of musicians I could develop with and write music for until I’m an old man. Something feels so romantic about this to me.
Are you interested in popular music and - if yes - what music/artist do you particularly like?

Yes, Kendrick Lamar
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My mental health
Which of your albums are you most proud of?

I think the latest one, Legend of e’Boi (The Hypervigilant Eye), because it’s me at my bravest self on record to date.
Once an album of yours is released, do you still listen to it? And how often?

Yes but not very often at all.
Which album (from any musician) have you listened to the most in your life?

Madvillain - Madvillainy
What are you listening to at the moment?

Pierre Henry’s composition Variations pour une porte et un soupir
What artist outside music inspires you?

Toni Morrison