When you’re a musician and it’s your birthday, one might think that the last thing you’d want to do to celebrate is to play more music. But not Montez Coleman—noted jazz drummer, proud East St. Louisan, and, on Sunday, the birthday boy. The almost-44 year old is getting it in starting Friday night, where he’ll play the first of two evenings at Jazz at the Bistro with Adam Maness on piano, Adaron Jackson on Hammond B3 Organ, Ben Wheeler on bass, Eric Slaughter on guitar, Jason Swagler on saxophone and Anita Jackson on vocals Friday, with Brian Owens on Saturday.
“It’s like the cream of the crop of St. Louis musicians,” says Coleman of the show. “It’s going to be a grand occasion because the band I was able to assemble—it’s kind of hard to get all these guys at once, because they’re all so in demand, so it was a total blessing to get all these guys on the same stage.” On Sunday, his dear friend and fellow musician, pianist Tony Suggs, will play with him at The Dark Room during Sunday brunch. As he prepares to blow out his candles, he talks about playing with his friends, which musicians are primed to take on the next generation, and what’s next for him this year.
You and Tony Suggs went to high school together, and you’ve played with all of your Jazz at the Bistro musicians at one point or another in your career—how does it feel to get back together with your friends?
It’s kind of like clockwork—more so the fellowship is what’s really happening. The music is one thing because we’ve been doing it together for so long off and on, but off the bandstand, those are the times of just catching up on old memories and running into old friends. And whenever [Suggs] comes to town that brings a lot of old classmates out. It’s a great reunion, always.
On the occasion of having another birthday, what are you looking forward to focusing on this year?
I have a CD, New Beginnings, that came on in September, so that’s been my main goal—trying to get that out into the world and try to get my band working on the road. I’m actually thinking about moving back to New York, as crazy as that sounds. I’m planning to. The Midwest is way cheaper to live...but at the end of the day, I’ve got to get back into the swing of things, and just being on the scene around New York.
Move back? Why?
Just to be on the scene—just to be around some of the greatest musicians in the world, every day. The motivation I get, the inspiration I get when I’m around those guys—you can’t get that anywhere else on the planet, except for New York City. St. Louis has always been so awesome to me, I feel like the city will always accept me, even just coming back visiting. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve got some of the greatest musicians on the planet here, but I guess it’s more of the environment. New York is the hub of the world for musicians—jazz musicians, anyway.
When you’re not playing, where can you be found?
Most times, being a father. I’m really a homebody [laughs]. I still love to go out and support the other musicians. People will tell you I’m always out checking out the young guys and checking out the new bands in town. I just love to go support music.
Who has caught your eye lately?
This saxophone player, Kendrick Smith—just phenomenal. There’s another guy, [guitarist] Matt Sewell. He’s ridiculous. They keep me inspired. And of course we’ve got the Eric Slaughter and Adam Manness—these guys are just great musicians that can go anywhere in the world and be great, but they’re comfortable being home.
Do you consider yourself a St. Louis musician or a musician that happens to live in St. Louis?
I’d consider myself a musician that happens to live in STL. I still get out on the road and play with Freddy Cole, different people—I’m just based in St. Louis. I was with Freddy when he played at Jazz at The Bistro last year, too.
Do you want to be like Freddy, just playing and playing and playing?
If God says the same and my health is right! I plan to do it until the day I stop breathing.
The Montez Coleman Group plays Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 at the Ferring Jazz Bistro, 3536 Washington. Admission is $20, $10 students. For more information, go to jazzstl.org.
