“I have to look at myself not only as a sideman, but as an artist.  I’m an artist. That’s how I’ve always looked at myself.  But again, I truly respect, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities that I do have, to play bass for the artists that I work for.  I do what I do, and I love being a part of their situation.”

When you grow up in a place like Detroit, a city with such a rich musical heritage, you can’t help but be influenced by its musical power.  Such is the case of this month’s On the Side featured musician.  Smoothviews is happy to introduce you to one of the Motor City’s own, bassist Al Turner.

It all began for Al when he was 12 years old and discovered the bass.  He listened to the Motown sound, studied it, picked it up, and began playing by ear.  “After I’d been playing a minute, I started taking lessons privately.  I studied with Ralph Armstrong, a very well known bassist.  He used to work with John McLaughlin, Narada Michael Walden, and people like that.  I got a lot of on the job training, if you will.”  On the job training is invaluable to a young musician.  Though he may not be physically in Detroit these days, the city and its music is in his blood.  It’s a part of his spirit and soul. 

Al comes from a somewhat musical family.  His mother played piano in church.  He has an aunt that is a music teacher, and an older brother who plays guitar.  In fact, his brother played rhythm guitar on one of his album tracks.  As a youngster, Al took piano lessons.  “That was something that our parents required of us.”  In addition to the bass, Al still plays a little keyboard, and also plays a little guitar.  “I play enough to get in trouble.” He says with a laugh.  “That’s how I figure things out if I’m writing.  I just bought a guitar, so I’m going to mess around on the guitar a little bit, but the bass is my main instrument.  It’s what I get hired to play most.”

Al is a popular and in demand musician and his resume is a who’s who of the smooth jazz and R&B genres.  Here is a musician who has played with everyone.  When I saw Al at the Berks Jazz Festival, he was playing with Earl Klugh.  He is a regular member of Earl Klugh’s band.  (At the time of this interview, Al was preparing for Earl Klugh’s 7th Annual Weekend of Jazz at the Broadmoor in Colorado.)  He also plays with Kem.  “Everyone from Kem’s band is from Detroit.  We’re actually working on his third record, which should be out in a few months.  We’re putting the finishing touches on that.  We’re also getting ready to do a tour in July.”  He also plays with music icon Bob James as well.  Early in his career, Al played with Anita Baker.  “When I was in Detroit, I worked with her producer, Michael Powell.  He produced some of Anita Bakers’ albums.  We did a lot of records.  A lot of production came through his studio.  I played with a ton of folks.”  In addition to the aforementioned musicians, Al has played and/or recorded with Oleta Adams, Tim Bowman, Randy Crawford, Gene Dunlap, Aretha Franklin (another Detroit musician), Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Wendy Moten, Lin Rountree, Brian Simpson, Vesta, Nancy Wilson, and Alexander Zonjic, to name just some of his impressive resume.  “Sometimes I have to look at myself.  I feel very fortunate and blessed, especially in Detroit at that time, when a lot of studio things were happening.”

For as many people as he has played with, there are still some musicians on Al’s wish list.  “There are so many people I’d love to play with; Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, so many people.  I just love playing with great musicians and great writers.  It really makes you feel good when you’re on stage with legends that created great music.”

Al has recently completed a re-release of his first CD, It’s Good to Have Friends, under the title of Movin’.  “I took some of the vocals out on a couple of songs, repackaged, remixed, and re-mastered it and put it out for real.  I’m very happy that it happened that way.  It was definitely a step up.  Having a little more ammunition really helped me do it right.”  He is currently working on his second CD.  “I’ve got the first couple of songs done, so, hopefully, I’ll have it done by the end of the year.” 

When not making music, Al loves to tinker with things.  He’s a detail oriented type A person.  “I’m very anal when it comes to details, and that translates into everything I do, not just music.”  He loves being home, surfing the internet, and spending time with his wife.  “I’m very much a homebody.  Around the house, I like to snoop around with things, do household projects while I’m here, and spend time with my wife.  We try to enjoy each other and have fun every day of our lives.”  It’s hard for a homebody to be on the road as much as he is, so when he’s home, he really tries to be home.

Perhaps one of the reasons Al Turner has been in such high demand since he began playing professionally back in the ‘80’s is his outlook on music.  “Music is a language, so, when you’re having a musical conversation, everybody’s communicating, listening, and responding.  Some beautiful things can happen when you’re on the stage spontaneously creating magic.  That’s what it is.  Music has the ability to make people feel.  It’s definitely a language.  Being able to communicate that as people enjoy it and get it is a beautiful thing.  It makes you feel really good when you have the opportunity to perform.” 

We call our feature On the Side, but it’s not really as comprehensive a term as we’d like when describing the careers of these talented side and supporting musicians.  Sometimes, it falls short of everything these artists do, but, we will continue to bring you their stories, as, like Al Turner, they continue to express their many talents.

Look for Al Turner on tour with Earl Klugh, and, this summer, with Kem.  And keep an ear open for his new CD towards the end of the year.

www.alturner.com