Meet Colin Currie

As we look forward to Colin Currie’s return to CMF with his Quartet on 27 March, we asked him about his early musical experiences and how if feels to play the music of Steve Reich.

What music do you remember hearing as a small child?

Big band jazz, Mozart and Stravinsky. I also listened to a lot of pop music – Duran Duran, A-ha and Level 42 were all favourites of the time!

Was your family a big musical influence on you?

Very much so. There was a lot of music in the house, including many King’s Singers albums, so it’s kind of wild that I now have a collaboration with them! My parents also took me to countless concerts, including Buddy Rich’s final appearance on tour in the UK, which had an incredible impact on me. But also, my father’s critical skills, as a non-musician, were very influential. He knew when things were right, because he could trust his instincts, and that is a vital lesson.

Do you remember realising it was going to be percussion for you? Did you try any other instruments?

I started aged 5 with piano lessons, as this was deemed the best way to commence a broad musical training, and I think that was a wise move. But I always wanted to spend my life as a ‘drummer’, right from the start, and my ‘career path’ has been nothing other than following the music I love with people I respect and admire. I have been very fortunate!

Reich’s music has the feeling of grandeur and beauty, power and poignancy

How do you feel when you play Reich’s music?

Elated. This music has the feeling of grandeur and beauty, power and poignancy. It gets to a unique emotional side that cannot really be expressed other than in live performances (but please buy our recordings anyway, heh!)

What are some key moments the audience should listen (and watch) out for in your New York percussion programme?

The virtuosic splendour of the Akiho Pillars and the edgy grooves of the Julia Wolfe masterpiece Dark Full Ride which is a kaleidoscope of rhythmic illusion for four drum kits! Broadly speaking, I believe the audience will relish all of this repertoire, and the percussive camaraderie we feel as a quartet as we perform it. 

What do you listen to when you’re cooking dinner?

At the moment, Paul Simon (pretty stoked to be going to hear him live in May!) and Everything Everything. 

What non-musical talents do you have?

Humour. Music and comedy do not easily mix, so I enjoy being pretty daft when not practising/travelling/rehearsing/etc….