Profile: Nick Tountas
BY JUDY ROBERTS
Nick Tountas and I began our jazz careers together. He was the young owner
of a trendy Wells Street bistro called The Midas Touch, and I was the newcomer
he hired to play piano. After months of listening to my trio as he tended
to his restaurant, he became so infatuated with the music and with the bass
in particular, that he soon Started working
at playing the bass himself. Surrounded by the various musicians who worked
at his club, and the multitudes of great
players who came to sit in, he succeeded in soaking up many years' worth of
"jazz learning" in a very short time. It wasn't long after that
he left the restaurant business to pursue his dream of a life in music.
Nick and I went from the Midas Touch to the London House, where we played
opposite the jazz greats as
the regular house trio. Since then, Nick has gone on to
experience a wide range of musical, adventures all
over the "world. In addition to being
a favorite among pianists and drummers in Chicago, he has done 'festivals, clubs and concerts nationally and in
Europe and Asia. He has played and recorded with former Second City pianist
Fred Kaz and San Francisco drummer George Marsh, two of his major influences
and jazz mentors. Nick works and records regularly with pianist Larry Novak,
drummer Rusty Jones and vocalist. Marc Pompe.
He also plays and records with El Paso guitarist Curt Warren as often as opportunity
and geography allow. Recently he formed a unique recording group with cutting-edge
European guitarist Zvonimir Tot. And, giving him near-Renaissance
Man status, he also performs with the Chicago Music Institute Symphony.
Says Larry Smith of WBEZ: "Nick's infallibly reliable bass work has
complemented many of our local greats, as well as national and international
stars that include Marian McPartland, Marcus Belgrave,
Bill Watrous, Carl Pontana, Lee Konitz and Charlie Rouse, to name
a few."Music is what Nick is
all about. He and I have worked together a lot over the years, and I, am one
of his biggest fans.
My one-phrase description of Nick reads:
"He knows what to do and when to do it." Which means he has a great
ear, great time, and the uncanny ability to play the-perfect
feel to enhance the music around him. He is a player of tremendous sensitivity
and generosity. He is also one of the funniest people I know. In addition
to entertaining his fellow band members with his famous offbeat wit, he has
managed to successfully infuse his music with that same keen brand of humor.
Together with his eclectic musical background, this unique sense of humor has inspired him to write some extremely
appealing material.
Writing catchy tunes started early for Nick. In the mid-severities, Nick,
Rusty Jones, guitarist John Bishop and I participated in a project for blues/rock
guitarist Harvey Mandel,
called Get Off In Chicago. Nick had written
a song called "Lonely-Days," a bossa nova with interesting ;|lines
and rhythms, which was included on the session as a token “jazz cut."
lt turned out to. be the most requested
song on the album, and still continues to receive positive
attention even; though the album is now
a collector's item. Thanks to its continued
popularity, we still play it, and have re-recorded it on a recent CD.
Between his first
original tune, "Lonely Days," and, his newest songs on his just-released
recording, Hopalong, Nick has been involved in a series of very interesting
projects as both composer and bassist:
Discography:
1987—Nick's own group of guitarist Curt Warren, pianist
Larry Novak,
and drummer Rusty Jones, on a CD with the
best title of all time: Jazz Ruined My Life.
'1988—Pianist' Fred Kaz:
Uncharted Waters,
with drummer George Marsh.
1990—Old Dream,
recorded with The Chicago Coalition Jazz Septet, led by pianist Marcin Januszkiewicz,
with Ryan Schultz, bass trumpet;
Jerry Dimuzio, saxophones; Charles
Braugham, drums; Jim Cooper, vibes; and Alejo Poveda, percussion.
1993—Trumpeter Rex
Richardson's group: The Powers that Be.
1995— Jazz Ruined
My Life II (Same personnel as above). Note: this CD features Nick's original
song, "The Happy Beggar," which was among the top twenty Jazz downloads
on Napster.
1997—Vocalist Marc
Pompe: Nobody Else But Me, with Larry Novak and Rusty Jones.
2002—In the Moment,
-with Greg Fishman,
saxophone; George Marsh, drums; Judy
Roberts, piano/vocals (featuring the new version of Nick's composition "Lonely
Days").
2003—Zvonimir Tot:
Travels and Dreams,
with Art Davis, trumpet; Rusty
Jones, drums. (To be reviewed in the next issue of
CJM).
Nick’s latest recording,
Hopalong, includes
a new collection of. his intriguing,
and catchy originals. Paired again with the impassioned Zyonimir Tot on guitar,
the two explore their respective Greek and Yugoslavian roots in a very tasty
ethnic jazz mix. Always eager for new rhythmic challenges, Rusty Jones displays
his famous technical prowess and drive. Legendary pianist Larry Novak makes
a wonderful guest appearance on the song "Itapoa," a beautiful composition
written by his late wife, Carol Coleman Novak.
Like all of Nick's
music, this album is bursting with originality, intensity and humor. The terrific
rapport he has with the other players is typical of Nick's style of musical
sharing, and demonstrates his innate ability to be a catalyst for the group.
Artfully combining the roles of both leader and ensemble bassist, he gives plenty
of space to the other players, yet succeeds in shaping the music with his own
Unique voice. The sense of freedom and adventure is evident throughout, especially
on his own compositions. Nick's writing is a very appealing combination of
lyrical soulfulness seasoned with witty, catchy lines and rhythms. In addition
to his serious and introspective sketches, he also includes a humorous rewrite
called "It's You Or Else," based on the chords of "It's You Or
No One." Tlie title tune, "Hopalohg," is typical of Nick's sometimes
skewed outlook, and includes Rusty's trademark cowbell. Nick's song, "Balkan
Dance," co-written with. Zvonimir, is especially intriguing, with its unusual
time signatures and Eastern European flavor.
• Nick's music
is what jazz should be:
sensitive, imaginative, original, generous and innovative—and
great fun to hear and enjoy.
For more information oil
Nick Tountas and his music, e-mail him at: nicktountas@hotmail.com.
Judy Roberts, named "Chicago’s
Favorite Jazz Woman" by the Chicago Tribune, is a Grammy-nominated
pianist/vocalist'•'/recording artist who has been serving the Chicago jazz scene
for many years. For more information please go to: www.judyroberts.com.
