Since the release of ‘Love Season’ in 1989 composer, producer and keyboard player Alex Bugnon has been a sophisticated and high quality constant on the contemporary jazz scene. His latest album is titled ‘Harlem’ and those remembering Bugnon’s 1995 track ‘Harlem On My Mind’ might be forgiven for expecting something that is smoothly moody throughout. Yet, with the exception of a couple of songs, it’s no criticism to say that this is very different music and when recently I got the chance to talk to Alex from his home in New York I started out by asking him what his motivation for the new CD was.
“I wanted people to see the complete Alex Bugnon” he told me, “And to experience the entire range of styles that I love to play whether that be gospel, straight ahead, funk, soul or contemporary jazz. Although people know me for a certain brand of jazz I have never been satisfied in making music according to a formula. In fact I have never done that.”