Howdy Drooblers! It’s always interesting to see what people are doing with classical instruments today. We’re used to imagine a person playing more traditional western instruments (well, not the bagpipes, I guess) comfortably sitting in a large baroque hall, surrounded by an orchestra, effortlessly playing the same melodies over and over again – the stuff we here on Christmas concerts, for example. Not that it’s a bad image, just a little… predictable? And we always like to be surprised.

So, meet Gail Ford – a modern-day classical instrumentalist who just wasn’t meant to do boring things. Born in Derby, this music graduate of Manchester University is a pianist, accompanist, events pianist, period music pianist and music teacher. Gail seems to attract unusual jobs – from playing for Regency balls in full costume to accompanying silent movies, concerts, exams, auditions and corporate/private events. The really great thing about Gail is that she also plays and writes for jazz oboe whenever she gets the opportunity. Come on, how often do you meet someone who can actually say they compose music for jazz oboe? Pretty neat! You may remember her from her wonderful collaboration with Jason Flinter for the Drooble Tune competition, which the two won. There she demonstrated her amazing talents and today we’re going to learn more about the great person behind the great music she plays. Before you start reading, take some time to enjoy Gail’s beautiful music!

When and how did your relationship with music start?
I was four, & my Dad had bought a second hand piano for my 2 brothers, my sister & me. I sort of took to it, you might say. Apparently I used to listen to radio or records and then run to the piano, and perfectly (according to my slightly biased mum) reproduce what I’d just heard. Still do – except when I was a gal it was called ‘playing by ear’, and now the lawyers have cottoned on to a Good Thing, and it’s referred to as ‘illegally downloading’.

What’s the most important thing you want your students to remember?
They don’t have to be perfect to try first!

What have you learned from your students?
There’s always something new to learn, always new groups, songs, musicians, and styles.

Has music changed you? How?
It certainly has! I’m much more able to see a project through, and be patient with myself whilst getting there. Sure it strenghtens your intution and patience all round.

How is a musician different from a non-musician?
My usual joke reply is that we’re exactly the same -” two arms, two legs, and one overdraft”. That said, I think we do tend to be empathetic and enthusiastic in a wide range of subjects; means life (and other people) is never boring!

What is music to you? What does it give you?
It’s where I can be me! It gives me challenge, achievement, satisfaction and so much pleasure.

What is your music dream?
Play with Rebels Without A Chord at Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza on the Park, play with Jools Holland, and just be gigging & recording. Oh, and be playing in Paris a lot. Not much to ask, is it?

If you could change the world – what would you start with?
A darn sight more common sense.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?
L’Ame Calinee by Michel Polnareff.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?
Genesis, Supertramp, Eagles, ELO, The Fratellis, Chet Baker, Django Reinhardt & Quintet of the Hot Club Of France, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, Diana Krall, Chet Baker.

What inspires you to make music?
I need to!

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?
It’s where I should be, where I feel right.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?
It’s a tough business, we need more live venues.

What do you think of Drooble?
Good idea!

What frustrates you most as a musician?
Lack of live venues for acoustic musicians – everything’s club & dance. Not that that’s bad, but it seems to be the only music performance opportunities.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?
Not as much as I should, but then, they keep paying on nights when I already am. We really should get together more……

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get his music heard by a larger audience?
Belief, a business like attitude (not that I have one, you understand, but I’m working on it), and rapport NOT just with other musicians, but especially with your audiences.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.
Natural modesty makes this list incomplete, but mostly my oboe teacher, John White, Jonathan Kelly (principal oboist of Berlin Philharmonic), Yo You Ma (cellist) Emmanuel Ax (pianist) and Murray Perahia (pianist). This is, of course, guessing you haven’t heard of the above.

What is the message you want to send with your music?
We’re there together.

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Like this interview? Find Gail Ford on Drooble, along with thousands of other musicians from all over the world.