In this Bonus episode, Carl interviews Oli Silk. Oli is a UK-based keyboardist, producer and composer, and a part time DJ. He released his first album 2000 and continues to establish himself as a top contemporary jazz artist. He’s had several songs that reached the billboard Top 10 and multiple number 1 hits and he’s played many of the big smooth jazz events and is a regular in Smooth Jazz radio.

This episode explores how Oli started playing music, he describes his music, who influenced his music, and people he’s worked with. He shares what he misses the most about being on the stage, his travels pre-COVID, what drives him, and what he wants his fans to feel when listening to his music.

In the ‘Bout It or Doubt It' segment, we’ll find out a sport that Oli likes, and his opinion on American football. Oli shares the things he still wants to accomplish and his three favorite albums of all time. Listen to this episode and enjoy some of his music – At Your Service, Music Without Sound, and Out to Lunch.

Episode Highlights

How he started playing music

01:18 I started playing music when I was about eleven years old on a piano that we had and called the attention of a family friend who said to my parents “maybe you should look into some

lessons for Oli because he seems to have a natural talent for picking tunes by ear.”

What about smooth jazz music that he gravitated towards

03:31 It seems natural to me, it’s the music that I loved when I was young

9:18 At Your Service by Oli Silk

How being a composer, producer, and performer impacted his process for making music

13:15 If you’re deep buried into production then you spin in the production play

21:32 Music Without Sound by Oli Silk

28:22 If I find myself on a negative path with music, I have to bring myself back, listen to music again and remind myself why I love music so much.

41:48 Out to Lunch by Oli Silk

Contact

Fresh Coast Jazz Festival

Oli Silk