Jordan Rudess is the keyboardist for Dream Theater. His latest album is called 4NYC on Magna Carta Records.
Current fixations:
Music is my life. I play all keyboard instruments from acoustic to electronics, piano to computer generated instruments. I'm into creating swirling images and computer graphics. I travel extensively with my band Dream Theater, and am writing this from my hotel room in Florence Italy. I love the internet and keep a very active web site featuring a "Road Diary" and a forum for all types of discussion, discography etc..(www.jordanrudess.com)
Mind-altering work of art:
Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland album.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Hometown gig with DT at Roseland in New York City. We were filming for a DVD release and it was very exciting. The place was packed, cameras everywhere and the whole energy was mind tingling.
What has been your career high and low?
High: Standing in front of 12,000 people at the end of a concert with them all screaming in appreciation for my music.
Low: Playing cocktail piano music in a bar in Baltimore Maryland while no one cared or even listened.
What should everyone shut up about?
A certain female singer that is not worth mentioning here for fear of repetition.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
World peace.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I like the fact that I am a spiritually minded person who is very good hearted. I don't like the part of me that is quite shy.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
An advanced state of body odour would probably be cause for dismissal.
When I think of Canada I think:
I think of the amazing time I had in Quebec City staying at the Chateau Frontenac when I was 19.
What is your vital daily ritual?
Making sure I remember where all the light switches are in my house after getting home from a lengthy tour before I head out to my studio to work.
How do you spoil yourself?
A nice massage-or a fine sushi meal. Also just doing absolutely nothing!
What was your most memorable day job?
Never had one.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Graphic artist.
What is your greatest fear?
Forgetting the beginning of a song right before I go to start it.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Projective overwhelming positivity on every living things around us. Although I try to do that now.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
I always feel like getting to the core of things. Life is best at it's purest. When you are stripped of all the trimmings around you that's the best time to make something really rock.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Those are two incredible ways of connecting yourself to a higher source of energy and power. Two very different activities that interconnect because they achieve a similar goal of personal freedom.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Spending five days with David Bowie recording his newest release Heathen.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Hendrix. I think we would take some acid together and skip the food and get right to the music.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Playing Chopping on stages around the world and taking her with me.
Current fixations:
Music is my life. I play all keyboard instruments from acoustic to electronics, piano to computer generated instruments. I'm into creating swirling images and computer graphics. I travel extensively with my band Dream Theater, and am writing this from my hotel room in Florence Italy. I love the internet and keep a very active web site featuring a "Road Diary" and a forum for all types of discussion, discography etc..(www.jordanrudess.com)
Mind-altering work of art:
Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland album.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Hometown gig with DT at Roseland in New York City. We were filming for a DVD release and it was very exciting. The place was packed, cameras everywhere and the whole energy was mind tingling.
What has been your career high and low?
High: Standing in front of 12,000 people at the end of a concert with them all screaming in appreciation for my music.
Low: Playing cocktail piano music in a bar in Baltimore Maryland while no one cared or even listened.
What should everyone shut up about?
A certain female singer that is not worth mentioning here for fear of repetition.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
World peace.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I like the fact that I am a spiritually minded person who is very good hearted. I don't like the part of me that is quite shy.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
An advanced state of body odour would probably be cause for dismissal.
When I think of Canada I think:
I think of the amazing time I had in Quebec City staying at the Chateau Frontenac when I was 19.
What is your vital daily ritual?
Making sure I remember where all the light switches are in my house after getting home from a lengthy tour before I head out to my studio to work.
How do you spoil yourself?
A nice massage-or a fine sushi meal. Also just doing absolutely nothing!
What was your most memorable day job?
Never had one.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Graphic artist.
What is your greatest fear?
Forgetting the beginning of a song right before I go to start it.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Projective overwhelming positivity on every living things around us. Although I try to do that now.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
I always feel like getting to the core of things. Life is best at it's purest. When you are stripped of all the trimmings around you that's the best time to make something really rock.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Those are two incredible ways of connecting yourself to a higher source of energy and power. Two very different activities that interconnect because they achieve a similar goal of personal freedom.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Spending five days with David Bowie recording his newest release Heathen.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Hendrix. I think we would take some acid together and skip the food and get right to the music.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Playing Chopping on stages around the world and taking her with me.