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Brad Wheeler
© S. Ouzounoff
Local Scene
by Tim Baker
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Brad Wheeler… live in Paris Picture


W
hen saxophonist and composer Brad Wheeler arrived in Paris, he was “going to kick ass” and re-invent the glory days of the ’50s. “I was naïve when I first came here,” Wheeler admits, “I didn’t realize that the rules you find in the US don’t apply here. In the States, it’s simple. The best get the gigs. You could be from Mars, but if you play good, you’ll get a chance. Here it’s two tiers: the French and everybody else. Plus the French like losers. Look at Chet Baker. It fits into an image of what jazz should be, but it’s not reality.”
Jazz reality for Wheeler, a native of Chicago, had been that city’s vibrant club scene. Wheeler got much of his early live experience at Von Freeman’s famous weekly jam sessions there, which offered youngsters like him a chance to sit in with legends. But it was soprano saxophonist Dave Liebman who had probably the most profound effect on Wheeler’s career. “I sought him out to be my teacher. I was interested in going in his chromatic direction.”
Wheeler met his French wife in Chicago and made the move in 1990. He started the award-winning Paris Jazz Orchestra, was a founding member of Mike Ellis’ Art Sound Orchestra and Ricky Ford’s Big Band and landed a sponsorship deal with Buffet-Crampton and Keilworth saxophones, that came at a time when his own playing was maturing. Up until then he’d always thought of himself as a stronger composer than player. He’d written big band arrangements for sax stars Joe Henderson and Benny Golson that had been recorded, and wrote and performed on singer Kurt Elling’s Blue Note CD “This Time It’s Love.” But now he feels his playing’s coming into its own. “I used to criticize myself: ‘it doesn’t sound like Brecker or Liebman. It’s not good enough...!’ Now I hear myself and I say, ‘okay! That’s who I am.’ On February 12, his quintet, featuring Mike O’Neil on guitar, will be at the 7 Lézards.
7 Lézards, 10, rue des Rosiers, 4e, Mº St-Paul, tel: 01.48.87.08.97,
9:30pm, 70F.