Bobby Wiens - Focus

My good friend Bobby Wiens recently released his second album as a leader entitled Focus and he was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions about his new music.

Learn about Bobby and his music here www.bobbywiens.com and check out his new album here:  www.bobbyjwiens.bandcamp.com/album/focus

Bobby Wiens "Focus"

Four on the Floor: April 2026

Tell us about your latest recording!

I feel that this album represents my current artistic aesthetic, sound, and also is a reflection of my everyday life presently. With one exception, it’s all original compositions of mine. The musicians on it are Gabriel Mervine (trumpet/flugelhorn), Tom Amend (keys), and Seth Lewis (bass). We recorded it at Mighty Fine Studios with the great engineer Colin Bricker at the helm; One of my favorite things he’s engineered and mixed is “Rainbow Sign” by Ron Miles…and since he’s right here in Denver it was an obvious choice for me.

How did you choose your repertoire and sidemen?

That went hand in hand…Tom, Seth and I work as a rhythm section quite often in other people’s bands and I feel there’s a great rapport there. I’ve worked with Gabe (who is just a downright scary trumpet player!) on and off, and every time I do I feel inspired, challenged, and also that there’s a real shared language between us. All 4 of us have a wide palate of musical tastes, and similar reference points.

So, all that to say… I called them all first, booked the studio, and THEN began writing the music…so I was thinking about them, and their sounds and our collective group sound as I composed.

What inspired you to pursue the vibe and instrumentation that you did?

Around the time I began thinking about doing another record I was revisiting a lot of my early influences…one of which is the Brad Turner Quartet, which is the same instrumentation as this record, so that initially got the wheels turning…I was also listening to These Rooms by Jim Hall quite a bit again, and even though I didn’t use guitar, I think having Tom do a mix of acoustic piano and a variety of keyboards, plus Gabe having a conception that is in a lot of ways aligned with Tom Harrell got us into that world a little bit.

Was there a particular message you were trying to convey to the listener?

Not particularly…I wanted to put music out there that I made ME feel different emotional colors…as I wrote it, recorded it and listened back to what now are the final takes. And if it speaks to other people too, even better!

I will say however, the last tune “With God on Our Side” (by Bob Dylan) is definitely a politically charged song, and so I was pretty intentional about wanting to include that on this album a) because the message is poignant one for those living in America, especially right now, and b) because I just love the song. The version that Aaron Neville sings on “Yellow Moon” is my favorite!

Who are your influences with regards to your style of playing?

So so many! A few prominent ones that I feel I consistently go back to are (in no particular order): Elvin Jones, Paul Motian, Vernel Fournier, Mel Lewis, Brian Blade, Adam Nussbaum, Warren “Baby” Dodds, Papa Jo Jones, Ed Blackwell, Zigaboo Modaliste, Al Foster, Idris Muhammad, Roy Haynes, and Billy Higgins.

What are you practicing/studying/listening to/researching these days?

Life is so busy right now with having a two-year-old, playing lots of gigs, doing records and working adjunct at a couple colleges…I try to make sure I get at least 20-30 mins. in (sometimes more, sometimes less). Usually I’ll go in this order: Spending time learning music for upcoming gigs, doing “maintenance” work (playing time/grooves, working on my touch, some coordination stuff to, as my teacher John Riley would say, keep the limbs lubricated, playing along to records), or learning new things that I’ll hear on a record or see in a video or live, and want to go figure out. Most recently I’ve been trying to shed some things Jeff “Tain” Watts does…so that keeps me busy :) Oh…and I always try to practice along to a little bit of Ahmad Jamal each day. Especially the things Vernel Fournier plays on.

What other current and future projects do you have on the go at the moment?

Currently working on booking shows and maybe a short tour with this current band to promote this new record. Throughout the month of April I’m leading a group at a club in Denver called Nocturne, and we’re doing the music of Eastern Rebellion each week as a residency. I’m also a member of a funk/fusion/jam band organ trio and we are going into the studio this summer to cut a record. Besides that, working on whatever stuff people call me for!

How do the drums and your overall approach to rhythm factor into your album concept?

That’s an interesting question…honestly, just in a minor way. I didn’t treat it any differently than any other session, where I’m just trying to find the best “drum part” to fit the vibe of the tune.

What drummers (or other musicians/composers) do you consider as influences?

Again, so many! For drummer composers I’d say: Paul Motian, Al Foster, Brian Blade, Jeff Ballard and Bill Stewart. For any other instrument/style some prominent ones that come to mind are: Ellington, Strayhorn, Monk, Wayne Shorter, Debussy, Bartok, Kenny Wheeler, Stevie Wonder, Daniel Lanois, Keith Jarrett, Thad Jones.

What advice do you have for younger, aspiring jazz musicians and jazz drummers?

Spend as much time playing with people and listening to records (like REALLY listening!) as you do shedding the drums.

Go hear live music whenever you can. 

Prioritize playing good time with a good sound that blends with the band (this can’t happen if you don’t play with other people!)

Learn lots of tunes and always be the one on the bandstand who has done the most homework…since we have to simultaneously be the conductor, arranger, producer and drummer (even when it’s not YOUR band), make sure you really know the music you are playing — whatever the style.