Kylee Pastore Asirvatham
Current MM Jazz student, Simon Mogul is quickly making his mark in the jazz world. With a sound that bridges the past and the present, Mogul draws inspiration from jazz legends like John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, blending their influence with modern genres such as hip-hop and R&B. In the summer of 2022, Simon completed his first international tour with a set of nearly all-original music. Since moving to New York, Mogul has performed alongside jazz icons like Matt Wilson and Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. Recently, he recorded his debut project as a bandleader, with Grammy-nominated composer, arranger and recording artist Curtis Lundy at the helm as producer. In the following Q&A, Mogul shares insights into his collaboration with Lundy, the vision behind his new album, Simon Says, and his evolving journey as a jazz artist.
Q: As an artist inspired by jazz legends like Coltrane and Rollins, how do you balance honoring their legacy with bringing a modern touch to your music?
A: Balancing the past and future is always a challenge. Simon Says has an “old school” sound influenced by legends like Stanley Turrentine, Pharoah Sanders, and John Coltrane. But as someone living in America in 2024, and a lover of music across genres, modern sounds naturally influence my work. One track, Stutz McGee, is dedicated to the late Casey Benjamin, a saxophonist known for blending jazz and hip-hop with the Robert Glasper Experiment. Hip-hop has always been a big influence on me, as it’s the music I grew up with even before jazz.
Q: With Curtis Lundy producing, what unique elements did he bring to the recording process?
A: Working with Curtis Lundy, who has a 40+ year career performing and recording with jazz legends, was an enlightening experience. Curtis is all about the big picture; he taught me to value the magical moments within the takes that bring emotion and energy to the music, rather than fixating on technical perfection. He knew exactly when a take captured that feeling and it was time to move on. His insights into musicality, style, contrast, and raw energy were instrumental throughout the recording process.
Q: What themes or musical explorations can listeners expect in this new project?
A: Curtis and I aimed to create a record that swings hard and makes people feel good. The arrangements and compositions are intentionally accessible, with a focus on “more playing, less thinking.” This record captures a band and session pulled together within 24 hours, with musicians playing spontaneously and vulnerably, practically sight-reading the music. Inspired by classic Blue Note Records’ raw sound, the recording has a “rough around the edges” quality reminiscent of albums like Z.T.'s Blues by Stanley Turrentine and Back to the Tracks by Tina Brooks and Blue Mitchell.
Q: What memorable moments or impactful lessons have you taken away from leading your first recording project?
A: The most valuable lesson I’ve learned through this record-making process is the art of letting go. This manifested in several ways: for one, I had to resist the urge to do countless takes of each tune and instead embrace takes that captured powerful, albeit imperfect, moments. Letting go of my desire for perfection to focus on the bigger picture was a huge challenge. I also had to “let go” of any preconceived notions of how the finished product would sound. In the booth, arrangements, tempos, solo orders—almost everything—shifted in service of the music. It taught me to stay flexible and do what was best for the bigger picture.
Q: With the project’s release approaching, do you have plans for live performances in NYC or elsewhere to showcase the new music?
A: I don’t have any set plans yet, but there will definitely be a release show and tour to support the record. You can check my website or follow me on social media for updates! For now, you can catch my band playing music from Simon Saysat the Django jazz club in Tribeca on December 9th, featuring legendary trumpet player Phillip Harper!
Q: How can people follow your journey and stay updated on your music and performances?
A: Visit my website at simonmogul.com, or follow me on Instagram @Simon_Mogul!