We continue learning about the GSO Jazz! musicians who will be performing at the upcoming Radiohead Jazz Project performance on April 15. Learn more about the musical journeys of Tim Aucoin and Trey Wright below.
Tim Aucoin, Bass
What made you become a musician?
Growing up in New Orleans, music was part of every event. Music as diverse as Fats Domino, Merle Haggard, and Glenn Miller wafted through the house, and I just knew that I wanted to be part of it.
What instruments do you play?
I started on trumpet and quickly changed to tuba in middle school, where I picked up the electric bass. I continued to play tuba and electric bass through college, where I added the acoustic bass. I’m trying to slowly wean myself from tuba.
Tell me about your favorite performance of your career.
I’ve enjoyed numerous performances during my career, including the Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Mamas and the Papas, Nnenna Freelon, and many more. However, my favorite performance is always the next one.
What was the last song you wrote about?
The last song I wrote, which hasn’t been recorded yet, includes a lyrical melody that contrasts minor chords with Lydian harmonies. It has no words and no title – yet.
If you could open a show for any other artist, who would it be?
I think I’ve already done this. We got to open for the fabulous Al Jarreau with jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon.
Where can we find your music?
I have released two albums of original music. The first is a straight-ahead jazz album entitled, ‘Swing First, Think Later.’ The second album includes the GSO Jazz rhythm section with Sam Skelton and Karla Harris. It is a more raucous blues and funk-oriented project entitled ‘Mystified.’ Both are streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, etc. If you would like a CD, you can get it from timaucoin.com.
Trey Wright, Guitar
What made you become a musician?
Watching and listening to U2’s Under a Blood Red Sky was an early inspiration. I never intended to be a musician professionally. I was in a band in college (the Jazz/Latin band, Squat) that was fortunate enough to have some success. I never looked back.
What instruments do you play?
Guitar and a little piano
Tell me about your favorite performance of your career.
This is a hard question! In the late 90s I was asked to perform with pianist and composer Steve Dancz at the World Sacred Music Festival in Bangalore, India. Steve was my mentor in college and it was a thrill to travel around the world with him and some of my closest musical friends at the time. As part of the trip, the group had a private audience with the Dalai Lama, which was incredible!
What was the last song you wrote about?
Many of my songs are tributes to friends and family members or are based on personal situations from my life. My most recent composition, “To be Continued,” does not follow that trend. It was inspired by a sound on a delay pedal that created a modulated echo. The song repeats in a circle and the title speaks to the echo of the delay and the circular motion of the form.
If you could open a show for any other artist, who would it be?
Radiohead? A lot of my original music for my trio and quartet is heavily influenced by the group.
Where can you find your music?
My music is available at treywright.com and on all streaming platforms. Thank you!
Get ready to hear more from these musicians at the Radiohead Jazz Project performance! To purchase tickets, click here >>
