Interview With Jazz Pianist Michael Kaeshammer

Jazz pianist Michael Kaeshammer performed at the university during reading week, on November 10, 2022. The artist performed songs from his latest album, “The Warehouse Sessions”, which was released on October 7, 2022. Prior to his arrival, the Xaverian Weekly was able to secure an interview with the Canadian musician.

After brief introductions, I decided to ask Mr. Kaeshammer about his background.

Isabelle: Firstly, I was wondering what first drew you to the piano and jazz music.

Mr. Kaeshammer: My dad. When I was a kid, he played a lot of ragtime and jazz piano at home and that’s kind of what I knew from an early age on, you know? He didn’t listen to a lot of pop music or rock music. It was all jazz, and then when he sat down at the piano, he played that kind of stuff too. So, it was really, he was the biggest influence for me to actually get into the piano in particular and play boogie-woogie, and blues, and jazz music.

Isabelle: Okay! So, did you always know that you wanted to become a musician?

Mr. Kaeshammer: No. That really, I just loved playing music, but it was the move to Canada when I was 18—I grew up in Germany, in a little town and there was no professional musicians there in my environment, so I wasn’t thinking of pursuing a music career. But, when I moved to Canada, to Vancouver Island, I saw a lot of musicians, playing 5-6 nights a week, in clubs and bars, and realized that, you know, you can actually make a living performing, even before you have a record deal or before you are known, and that’s what made me pursue a career.

Isabelle: That’s great! What inspires your work?

Mr. Kaeshammer: Life, really. You know, I’m at a pointwhere, I mean I love listening to music, to other musicians and records, but they don’t really influence my own work. That was something that might have influenced me when I was younger and still learning the craft, but just life. You know, I’m a very happy person and want to convey that with my music and see the music actually kind of as a vehicle to connect with an audience rather than trying to show them what I can do.

Isabelle: Did anything specific inspire your recent album?

Mr. Kaeshammer: Nothing specific except where I was at, at that point in my life, you know? We just finished another album that’s coming out in March which I wrote throughout the pandemic. And the pandemic itself didn’t influence the writing for that record, but it gave me the time to kind of reflect on family, and life, and things that are important because we’re just, you know, at home for two years and that kind of inspired lyrics for that new album that’s coming out. Reflection, I guess.

Isabelle: So, you mentioned that some artists may have kind of influenced you in the past, but not so much now. Which artists inspired you?

Mr. Kaeshammer: Well, when I was a kid, I listened to, like I was saying, a lot of jazz stuff, like, you know, like a lot of Louie Armstrong or Big Joe Turner, like blues vocalists, and people like Louie Armstrong as a jazz instrumentalist or singer. And then I got into, I was also at the same time when I was in high school, I was into listening to AC/DC or Guns ‘n Roses or whatever was on the radio at that time. And then I kind of explored things that my mom had a huge 45 singles collection of Beatles and [Rolling] Stones, you know, and then you’re growing up and you’re just kind of learning what music is about and song writing. All those artists were really influential, and I love listening to Memphis soul music like Wilson Pickett or Sam Cooke or stuff like that. So, you know, there’s different phases like when you’re growing up that you get interested in and they all kind of shaped how I approach music today.

Isabelle: So, what’s your favourite part of performing?

Mr. Kaeshammer: Connecting with the audience and connecting with the band. For me, it’s, you know, I mean it’s not the most… well, I don’t know how to put it, but there’s more enjoyable things than traveling every day. I mean, it’s great when you go on vacation somewhere, but when you travel every day on the road, it’s fun, but it’s not the most enjoyable part of being on the road. The most enjoyable part is the performance and if I wouldn’t enjoy that as much as I do—because I love being on stage, being in front of an audience—then I probably wouldn’t go on the road. But the connection I can find with an audience is kind of the payoff, right?

Isabelle: Do you have any advice for anyone hoping to become a musician?

Mr. Kaeshammer: Yeah! I think, from what I’ve learned, is there’s really only, you know, two things that have to be done. One is work hard. Like actually really put in more time than someone else on your song writing or on your instrument or singing, whatever it is you do. And be honest with yourself. Stick to your own, to your gut feeling, you know, and the things that make you different are the things that are interesting.

Isabelle: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?

Mr. Kaeshammer: I’m excited to come to Antigonish, and to play there. And I know there’s a music program there too and the band that is coming with me, I think they’re pretty known in the Maritimes. Tommy Lee’s on bass and Jeff Arsenault on drums. I think people who want to have a good time—and not necessarily like jazz, people don’t have to like jazz or blues to like the show—should come out and have a good time with us!

“The Warehouse Sessions” album is available for purchase on Spotify, Labelstore, and Amazon Canada for all those interested in Michael Kaeshammer’s music. We hope the musician decides to return to StFX for future performances!