John Beaudin - I've always been interested in the different hybrids of Jazz. This genre has so many sub-categories and Smooth Jazz does also and I just love the variety. I think what keeps the format fresh was your Latin Calypso Jazz sound. So, was it a conscious effort to mix the sound up a bit or did it just come out that way?

Eddie Bullen -Yes, it was a conscious effort to dig into my roots a bit and blend that music with a more contemporary style. I don't think it has ever been done quite like this and I thought it would put a new twist on the smooth jazz experience.

John - I remember hearing Don Henley say that sometimes he's really surprised on how much work goes into an album from start to finish and how they even get it done. How do you look at recording? When you start an album project are you pumped and go into it head first or is it a slower process?

Eddie - I dive in for about two weeks and then I take a break for another two weeks so that I can get my objectivity back so that the material sounds fresh again. Then I go in for about a month after that, writing, performing and producing. Because I'm wearing all those hats it tends to be a little more challenging than if I'd be working on another artist's project.

John - Any Smooth Jazz Grenada? What's the music scene like?

Eddie - No, there is no Smooth Jazz there. The music scene is mostly Calypso, Reggae and straight ahead Jazz. I was bitten by the bug when (George) Benson came out with his Breezing record. A friend of mine who relocated from the West to Grenada came with a lot of smooth jazz artists and that's how I got turned onto Smooth Jazz in the Carribbean.

John -You were a performer, arranger, producer on Sway's "Hands Up," that must be pretty cool having a hand at something that really became part of our consciousness. I call songs like that "camp fire tunes" love them or hate them they stick. There's something very free and happy about that song, tell me how did you get involved?

Eddie - A friend of mine called Harvey got the gig to produce that track. He needed someone to play keyboard and do some of the programming. He called me up and asked me if I would do it and at that time we were working very closely on some other projects. So, seeing as we were working together already it was definitely the thing to do. I ended up contributing so much to the record that we both decided I'd be mentioned as a producer on the record. Neither of us had any idea that it would turn out to be such a mega hit.

John -What do you think about the state of Smooth Jazz in Canada?

Eddie - I think we need a heck of a lot more radio stations. From the word on the street, it seems like there are a lot of applications being submitted to the CRTC, which is a good thing. That will in turn educate the population about the coolness of Smooth Jazz and some Smooth Jazz festivals would be nice to have also.

John - I heard you on 'The Wave' in Hamilton how much of your stuff are they playing?

Eddie - A lot. I think they're playing six songs from the two CD's. Recently, I've formed a group called NEWA which is made up of Nicholas Brancker on bass, Arturo Tappin on sax, Wilson Laurencin on drums and myself on keys. We've just released a new self-titled CD and they're also playing three songs from that.

John -Have you heard the station a lot?

Eddie - I live a good distance away from the station so the reception is pretty bad. However, when I'm at home I listen to it on the Internet a lot of the time. Sometimes when I'm in my car I listen to it when I'm farther west.

John -Have you sent your CD's to U.S. stations?

Eddie - Yes I have. Some of them are playing it, a certain station in Chicago and CD101 in New York. Occasionally, I get emails from all over asking me for more information and where they can purchase my CD's. I've also explored some countries in Europe. Just before Christmas I got a call from Sweden informing me that "Make it Real" was the #1 Smooth Jazz track in Sweden, which I am very happy about.

John - Have you heard that Global applied for Smooth Jazz in Winnipeg? (Cool FM - Now on the Air)

Eddie - No, but the more Smooth Jazz stations we have the better because I think Smooth Jazz is a type of music that will satisfy a large demographic.

John - You've worked with a lot of acts like Deborah Cox, Oleta Adams, Billy Newton Davis. Any one stand out?

Eddie - I had some great experiences with Oleta Adams and writing songs with her. I've also done some writing with rising R&B star Glen Lewis, who is featured on my 'Nocturnal Affair' CD and who I think is just getting the recognition that he deserves. He was totally amazing in the studio and had a great ear for harmonies and interpretation of melodies. I wish him all the best. He's presently on tour as an opening act for Alicia Keys.

John -What's Billy Newton Davis doing these days?

Eddie - He's doing a lot of songwriting and jingles as an R&B/Jazz singer.

John -Who would you love to spend a month in the studio with?

Eddie - I'd love to spend it with Bob James because I think he's a great composer and arranger.

John - Can fans buy your CD's on your website?

Eddie - Yes. www.eddiebullen.com

John - So where do you keep your Juno Award?

Eddie - I keep it in my studio right above the left monitor. It keeps me motivated.

John - I was at a party once at this fairly well known Canadian artist's house and he had his Juno award hidden under the bathroom sink, musicians can be interesting. I was talking to Carol Archer, Smooth Jazz columnist for R&R magazine and she said there's a friendly wholesome down to earth feel to Smooth Jazz musicians. Any thoughts on that?

Eddie - I think she's right. Most of the guys that I hang out with are very encouraging, motivated and committed to doing Smooth Jazz and making it work. Also, this summer I was in L.A. for about three weeks where I was hanging out with Dave Koz, Michael McDonald, Alan Brown and Brian Colburtson. I felt like part of a family. They all were eager to come up to perform and encouraged me to make it happen in Canada.

John -Tell me about the youth co-op program you're involved with?

Eddie - I always think about helping any youth that want to enter the music/entertainment business and give them an insight to what the industry looks like. Some of them have gone on to work with other studios in radio or television. At the present time, my studio engineer, Steve Mohammed, started out as a co-op student who finished school and went on to become a sound engineer. In that aspect it was the foundation that I helped set that gave him the encouragement to pursue his dream.

John - Are you doing a lot of shows?

Eddie - No. I'm doing a lot of recording of Smooth Jazz artists with the occasional show. At present, I'm doing an album for Demo Cates, Smooth Jazz saxophonist and Dave Koz's bass player, Bill Sharp.

John -What's the Jazz scene like in Toronto?

Eddie - It's more traditional but with the help of the Smooth Jazz radio station, The Wave, a lot of people are getting turned on to Smooth Jazz and the local Smooth Jazz scene. Even some of the more traditional artists are crossing over doing Smooth Jazz CD's. On May 4th and 5th, my band NEWA will be performing in Toronto at two venues, the Randalf Academy for the Performing Arts and at Harbourfront.

John - What's coming up for the next album?

Eddie - I plan on doing more of a piano-driven CD and incorporating some popular songs into it. It
should be released by the end of July.