I first saw Hess is More perform at a venue in Brooklyn called Monkey Town in 2007. I was playing on the same bill with my good friend Julio Monterrey. I had never seen anything quite like Hess is More. Dance music that seemed improvised, I couldn't put my finger on it.
A couple of years later while at Cornelia Street Cafe, I recognized the drummer Mikkel Hess, who I had only ever heard play his original pop/electronica/punk/dance music a.k.a Hess is More. I didn't want to miss this opportunity to listen to him play jazz. I'm so glad I did. I waited till after the show to congratulate him on a fantastic performance. I recall inviting him to play with Julio and myself in a group we started called 2s and 4s. Shortly after that night, he joined 2s and 4s, and thus our musical relationship began to grow.
One night out front of Coco 66 where we played every Tuesday night we were talking on break. Mikkel had asked me if I ever played bass? I replied I didn't but could play that roll on my saxophone or clarinet or both. Something clicked, and before I knew it, I was at his studio rehearsing his music. He is constantly challenging me to push the boundaries of my playing. Playing tenor and soprano saxophones, clarinet, flute, effects, bass synthesizer, keyboards, whistle and sing. Performing with Mikkel and being part of Hess is More is one of the greatest thrills I have being a musician.
P.S.
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!!!Here’s a little bonus video of Mikkel and I playing the jazz!!!
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