Meet Cameron Turner:
Cameron was born in 1975 in Hickory, NC. The son of musical parents, he began an early education in music, learning every bit of information he could about artists, songwriters and every instrument he could get his hands on...

Instrument(s):
Guitars, basses, keys, drums, percussion, synth programming, rhythm programming.

Teachers and/or influences?
Any musician and songwriter I've ever known. And I had some great music directors throughout school...

Miles Davis Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet , John Scofield John Scofield
b.1951
guitar , David Gilmore David Gilmore

guitar , David Foster, Jaco Pastorius Jaco Pastorius
1951 - 1987
bass, electric , Joshua Redman Joshua Redman
b.1969
saxophone , Dave Holland Dave Holland
b.1946
bass , Herbie Hancock Herbie Hancock
b.1940
piano , Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix
1942 - 1970
guitar, electric , Eric Clapton Eric Clapton
b.1945
guitar , Roy Wooten, and so many more.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
I first heard harmonic sounds. My background is a lifetime of musical exposure of all types and direction from truly inspirational people. Choosing the exact moment...impossible.

Your sound and approach to music:
As far as my sound goes, I think that comes down to the listener; what they hear and sense from it.

My approach is a like a painting...each influence I find brings a new color to the palette. Some of my favorite quotes:

"A painter paints on a canvas, a musician paints on silence."-Author Unknown.

"Music expresses that which cannot be spoken, but on which it is impossible to remain silent."-Victor Hugo

Your teaching approach:
Just like your children you can teach them to do what is needed, but they will have to find their own way through their journey.

Your dream band:
I would love to work with so many people...John Scofield, Joshua Redman, David Gilmour, Tracey Thorn, Massive Attack, Medeski, Martin & Wood Medeski, Martin & Wood

band/orchestra , Esthero, Sting Sting
...just too many to list.

Road story: Your best or worst experience:
I was once on a tour where, one night, my bags went in the wrong bus, and we ended up sleeping on a hard floor. I had no bedding or change of clothes, and it was cold! When I woke the next morning, someone had thrown a light jacket over me...thanks, but that didn't really help.

Favorite venue:
The Big Chill...made some great music there with some really great friends.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?
An album I did a couple years ago, Quazar Eleven...I was going through a very emotional time in my life, and it all came through so wonderfully on that project.

The first Jazz album I bought was:
Miles Davis Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet ' Kind of Blue (Columbia, 1959).

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?
I like to think that I am "outside the box," so to speak. I don't tour, rarely perform live, and create on my own instead of having a band. But I hope only that people enjoy listening to my music, and hear something good in it that they have not heard before.

Did you know...
I am a multi-instrumentalist, and completely self-produced...

How would you describe the state of jazz today?
I think it is flourishing in all new creative ways. Too many would say it has gone astray from where it began (just like they scoffed when Miles Davis' Bitches Brew (Columbia, 1970) was released); but is not the definition of Jazz so broad as to encompass other forms and influences? I say yes, it is, and should remain a global art.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?
Humanity and constant creativity...the feeling evoked in jazz will only come through with these qualities. And bringing together all of the musical elements of the world over...sounds, baby, sounds!

What is in the near future?
I am currently working on two projects...a chill/groove album called Peace of Mind, and a blues/fusion album called A House of Cards.

What's your greatest fear when you perform?
That people will not understand what I am trying to say through the notes...that they will take nothing from it.

What song would you like played at your funeral?
Jimi Hendrix, "Angel."

What is your favorite song to whistle or sing in the shower?
"Cry Me A River."

By Day:
I am the father of two incredible boys, and they are my greatest and proudest accomplishments.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
Very lost and frustrated individual!

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