We Sit Down With The Chart-Topping Singer, Songwriter, And Trumpter To Discover His Lifelong Love Of Music.
10 Questions with Johnny Britt reveals his love of jazz, Motown, Bossa Nova, and… Paris!
Most of us will experience a change of zip codes at some point in our lives. For Johnny Britt, it meant a move to Paris, France as the first step of a storied career. He studied classical trumpet while becoming a musical emissary for touring Jazz stars while living there.
Then, a move to Chicago, where he became the youngest Music Director for The Temptations. And again to Los Angeles, where his skills and creativity shine as a singer, horn player, songwriter and more.
Midnight In Paris was released earlier this year to reflect his love for Paris, it’s people and the Parisian music scene. And nestled in among the album’s 12 tracks is an Urban Bossa gem. ‘Cherie Je T’aime’ is a true life love song with its own storied path.
I sat down with Johnny Britt for 10 Questions, which yielded dozens of amazing – and entertaining – stories.
Scott Adams, Creative Director, Connect Brazil
10 Questions with Johnny Britt
On The International Influence Of Parisian Culture And Music
First, congratulations on ‘Cherie Je T’aime’. I love its classic and contemporary Urban Bossa style. Did your love of Bossa Nova come to you while living in Paris? And what was the Jazz and Bossa scene in Paris like?
I would say yes. While living in Paris of course Jazz was the main thing for me where I met jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Kenny Clark, Cat Anderson, Hale Smith, Bobby Few, David Murray and countless others.
On the other side were the West African, Caribbean, Bossa Nova influences from Guadalupe, Martinique, Senegal, Cameroon. My influences while living and studying there were Hugh Masekela, Bob Marley, Manu Dibango, Fela Kuti , King Sunny Ade, and others. Bossa Nova, Caribbean music and culture was definitely everywhere in Paris.
Stevie Wonder And Chord Sheets
‘Cherie Je T’aime’ debuted on your Midnight In Paris album and has been sitting at the top of Connect Brazil’s Music Chart since mid-July.. Tell us the story behind the song. Is this your first Bossa Nova?
Funny you would ask that. I wrote ‘Cherie Je T’aime’ when I was actually living and studying in Paris.
I’d have to say that my main influence in music had to be Stevie Wonder when I was young. It was with the Stevie Wonder songbook You Are The Sunshine Of My Life. I saw it in the window of a music store in Cleveland, Ohio where I grew up when I was 17 years old , and it actually taught me how to play the piano.
That was because my mother was taking organ lessons and had this chord sheet. The songbook had the chord symbols above the lyrics and I knew how to sing all of those songs that were in the book … so I put 2 and 2 together and slowly began playing the piano and singing those songs to the girls in my neighborhood.
That was when I realized that Stevie’s feel of music was all inside of me. As I developed my skills on piano, his style of phrasing and musical feeling was in the music that I heard in my head. As a result ‘Cherie Je T’aime’ was born.
I can easily hear Stevie’s voice and influence on ‘Cherie Je T’aime’. The bossa nova feel comes from Brazil and ‘Cherie Je T’aime’ is the first Bossa Nova song that I’ve written. I really love the feel of Bossa Nova. I’m so glad that I recorded the song.
First Taste Of Brazil
When I was in college our jazz band went to Sao Paulo, Brazil. That’s a trip that I will never forget. I fell in love with the city, food, culture and music.
And who knows? With the great response I’m getting with ‘Cherie Je T’aime’ I may have to do an entire Urban/Brazilian/Jazz album! I know my trumpet and vocals would fit perfectly with the Brazilian style.
I may just do it. 😊
Paris Makes A Lasting Impression
For decades, Rio de Janeiro was so enamored by Paris that it mirrored Parisian fashion, arts, and culture to the point that Rio earned the nickname ‘Paris By The Sea’. How did ‘The City of Lights’ make a lasting impression on you?
I actually have a song called ‘City Of Lights’ on Midnight In Paris!
Paris made a lasting impression on me for all that it did for me as a young man. I was brought into in a totally different world with the bright lights, fast moving pace of the music and the international French culture .Nothing was like it and never will be.
Paris is where I went from being a boy to maturing into a young man. By being all around every corner of the city and soaking it all in. Paris is where I signed my first recording contract and appeared on radio and French TV.
I was on a big TV show called Musique et Musique avec Jack Martin which was equivalent to the Ed Sullivan Show in the U.S. Also, I studied trumpet with Roger Delmotte (the first trumpet player from the Opera De Paris) at the prestigious Conservatoire de Versaille.
I mastered the French language. My experience in Paris took my life and my music to a whole new level. I travel back and forth to France every year and someday I’d like to have a home in France. J’aime beacoup La France!
I love Paris and I always will.
10 Questions with Johnny Britt
Johnny Britt’s Artist Tour Of Midnight In Paris
‘Cherie Je T’aime’ is a beautiful love song that found its home in Midnight In Paris. Walk us through the album.
The album was birthed out of my love for Paris which blends RnB, Contemporary Jazz, Spoken Word, English and French lyrics with jazz improvisation as well as scat singing. The front cover artwork for Midnight In Paris was drawn by Vincent Calloway
The album opens with the title track, where you’ll hear my Flugelhorn. This song’s up-tempo urban vibe has a very catchy groove and infectious melodies that made it to the top 10 on the Billboard Charts.
‘Show You’
‘Show You’ has the Marvin Gaye sound that I’m known for. Vocals open the song with a sexy French narration: “I want to show you the things that are incredible”. The song has me telling my lady how much I’m going to show her and that she has my heart. This very seductive groove with the echoing guitar sets up the mood for passion.
‘Emotions’
‘Emotions’ has an Earth Wind and Fire style from the emotion of the song, but with the Johnny Britt touch. Haunting vocals shadowed by lush Flugelhorn melodies make it a gem. You’ll be singing along, expressing your own feelings of emotion.
‘Boulevard St. Michael’
‘Boulevard St. Michael’ takes you to the streets and jazz clubs of Paris. This jazzy minor feel groove will groove you all the way down to St. Michael Boulevard on the left bank. I’m letting my lady know that I want to take her to another world, which is Paris. With its jazz overtones and melodic scat vibe I’ll take her on her Parisian experience. The lyrics “Je veux aller avec toi” mean “I want to go with you”. The jazz horn section grooves alongside us as we take this journey down the Boulevard.
‘You Are Beautiful’
‘You Are Beautiful’ expresses the wonder of a woman’s inner beauty and her style and class. The song’s melodic sway allows her to relax and set her mind free.
‘A Night In Paris’
‘A Night In Paris’ journeys into Parisian night life with spoken word in French, to bring that cool, nighttime vibe to life. The evening takes you to the jazz clubs in Paris which still adore Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Kick back relax enjoy this intellectual and sophisticated piece.
‘C’est La Vie’
‘C’est La Vie’ is dedicated to my daughter Mariah. It speaks to any person or family that’s had to deal with mental health challenges. The song is saying “It Will Be Ok … Keep Your Head Up … C’est La Vie”. The music was inspired by Bill Withers’ ‘I Can’t Write Left Handed’ and it has a serious message that will touch those who listen.
As a spokesperson for mental health, this song has a special place in my heart. And to those of you who are touched by this powerful song my message to you is that you are not alone!
‘Cherie Je T’aime’
Next up is my very first Bossa Nova and ‘Cherie Je T’aime’ means the world to me. For the first time in my career I wrote a Bossa Nova song. I’ve played trumpet in Bossa Nova bands and for me to have now entered into that world with my own recording is extremely exciting.
For me, when I’ve done something musically for the first time it’s a good sign. It means that I can do it again. The passion that I mentioned before about loving Brazilian music and now actually having my first recording done is a special time in my career.
I can see the people now dancing, feeling good and having a good time when ‘Cherie Je T’aime’ comes on. I love reinventing myself and for me to have opened up the passion in me of this great music that I’ve always loved is something that I’m really looking forward to.
The lyrics let my lady know just how much I love her. The song was written in Paris years ago. I decided to add something different something that I’ve never done on any of my recordings and that is to do some jazz scatting on it with my vocals … obviously I had to take a Flugelhorn solo on it as well. Because of the French theme of this new album it was the perfect time to record ‘Cherie Je T’aime’.
‘The Other Side’ marks my piano recording debut. Fans say that I sound like Alex Bugnon on piano (He just happens to be French). After writing this song I played it for my radio promoter and mentioned that I play piano. He suggested that I feature myself on piano. So, I took his advice, and it worked!
‘Ce Que Tu Veux’
‘Ce Que Tu Veux’ means ‘Whatever You Want Me To Do’ is very special for two reasons. First is that my son Josh (a Berklee College Of Music grad) did an amazing job mixing this song for me. Second is that I use the word “Merveilleux” during my French narration. It was my mother’s favorite French word and it means “Marvelous”. So to me, ‘Ce Que Tu Veux’ is simply Merveilleux.
‘City Of Lights’
‘City Of Lights’ is an up-tempo instrumental that I wrote for Jeff Golub to record. I decided to re-record it for this album and change the title to ‘City Of Lights’, which is one of Paris’s best-loved nicknames.
‘Ici En Paris’
Closing Midnight In Paris is ‘Ici En Paris’. It came to me while I was coaching lead actor Damson Idris to play trumpet for his role in the forthcoming Miles Davis movie.
I wrote it as an opening theme song in mind and possibly for the movie. It has that motion picture opening theme feel to it with my Miles Davis style approach on my trumpet on this one. The translation to my French vocals are “I want you to stay next to me, here in Paris, here in Paris. I want to kiss you, why not? Here in Paris, here In Paris”.
The title ‘Ici En Paris means ‘Here In Paris’ which sets a cinematic and perfect ending to this French-inspired collection of songs from my new album, Midnight In Paris.
Meeting The Queen Of Jazz In The City Of Lights
You became a musical emissary for touring musicians while living in Paris. What are some of your best stories from that experience, and how did you become fluent in French?
Yeah you’re right. Paris is where I met some of the biggest names in music. I met Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Earth Wind & Fire, Max Roach, Art Blakey, and this list could go on and on.
I guess my best story would have to be how I met Ella Fitzgerald when she was headlining at the Palais Des Congress. She had two sets, so after the first set I told my friend Wendell that we were going to meet Ella.
So we go backstage, and all of Ella’s big band musicians were standing in the hallway. I saw Ella’s dressing room and the door was open. I told Wendell “Come on!”, but he looked at me and said “man, I’m not going”.
So I went in by myself. There was Ella, sitting. She had these thick glasses on and she said “Boy, what are you doing back here?”. I was so nervous. II just said “My name is Johnny Britt and I just wanted to say hi.” She shook my hand and off I went.
I’ll never forget it.
10 Questions with Johnny Britt
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10 Questions with Johnny Britt
Motown Magic: The Youngest Ever
You’ve written chart-topping songs for Boney James and others. Your trumpet has graced box office hits and led to close encounters with Arsenio Hall and Sade. But your story about The Temptations is one-of-a-kind. How did it come about? And where did it lead?
That’s another incredible story.
I had just returned to Chicago after working with Kool & The Gang on their Emergency album in the Bahamas. I was playing with a Top 40 band based in Indiana, which was a short distance from Chicago, so the commute wasn’t bad.
One night, we were booked to play in the lounge at the Holiday Star Theatre in Merrillville. As I drove up, I saw on the marquee that The Temptations were performing.
After our first break I ran across the resort to The Temptations concert. I knocked on the backstage door and this big security guard opened the door. “Could I see Otis Williams,” I asked? He slammed the door in my face.
Moment Of Truth
So I tried the door to the theater, and no one was there. I jumped up onto the stage and walked to the green room. And there was The Temptations’ Otis Williams walking towards me!
I looked up to him and said “Hi Mr. Williams, my name is Johnny Britt, and I have some songs I think you’d be interested in.” He looked at me like I was crazy, but then he said, “Come to my room tomorrow at 7pm.”
I showed up the next day and as I played my music he started to smile. That led to a studio invite where we recorded my songs. Otis Williams saw my work ethic and my resume, and he asked me if I could be a musical director. I said yes.
We had another meeting and Otis said, “If you can write us an overture – and we like it – you can be our musical director.” I did, they liked it, and I became the youngest-ever musical director of The Temptations.
Talent Wears Many Hats
You are a classically trained trumpeter, and your talents as a vocalist, composer, arranger, producer, pianist, and educator are truly remarkable. Of all the many hats that you wear, which one(s) fit you best, and why?
Well, that’s a very hard question because I truly love them all. But if I had to pick one it would be a singer, and then a songwriter. Singing and songwriting is very natural to me. I was the lead singer in our church choir when I was 4 years old so I’m just a natural singer. The songwriter part of me naturally flows out of me from my instincts.
Let’s talk about other passions in your life. Any hobbies or avocations? And what would you be doing with your creativity if you weren’t in music?
My main passion is the French language, which I listen to and read every day. It’s really like learning a musical instrument . I love it because of the passion I have for the language. Other than that, I enjoy playing basketball, bowling, and swimming.
You know, the only thing that I’ve ever done in my life is music … there is nothing else I’d rather do.
What are you listening to these days? Do you have any favorite Brazilian songs or artists?
What I’ve been working on is Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto. And I’m memorizing a trumpet solo that I transcribed by Clifford Brown… so that would be classic, jazz, and French!
I actually really love Brazilian music I just like the feeling of the music and I’m serious about possibly doing a Brazilian album … I would really enjoy doing that.
What Lies Ahead
What are your plans going forward? Has the success of ‘Cherie Je T’aime’ inspired you to pursue another Urban Bossa project and explore new collaborations in the Brazilian style? And what about a trip to Rio?
Well my plans are to win a Grammy Award with my new Midnight In Paris and ‘Cherie Je T’aime’. I’m going on a 60-city tour, so I’ll be all over the U.S. this summer.
I’m absolutely pursuing another Urban Bossa. I’d be open to collaborating with Brazilian musicians. And yes, I would absolutely love to take a trip it Rio de Janeiro. Better yet, I’d love do some shows in Rio… Now that would be incredible!
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10 Questions with Johnny Britt
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