Don't call it jazz: Minnesota duo weaves many sounds into new album

Guitarist Dean Magraw has played everything from folk and acoustic jazz to Celtic rock. Drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt's performed around the world with jazz legends Weather Report and pianist McCoy Tyner.

Given their range, it's natural to ask the pair to describe the music on their new album, "Fire on the Nile." Turns out, it's complicated.

There are many ways to describe "Fire on the Nile." Just don't call it jazz.

"That word is just poison to me," says Gravatt.

Gravatt and Dean Magraw share decades of experience, so they're wary of musical labels. They say the word jazz is so broadly applied that it's become meaningless. It pains Gravatt that work he disdains can be lumped in with the music they have created.

Dean Magraw offers other words to describe their disc.

"Is it folk music? Because it's basically me and Eric having a relationship in a recording studio. Isn't that what folk music is?" he asks.

"And it's world music, because we are in the world," says Gravatt.

"Yes," Magraw laughs. "So it's hard. But I suppose many people will label it jazz. And if that helps them understand it, that's great. If it takes away, or blocks them in some way from listening to the music, then it's not so good."

What can't be denied is the musical virtuosity in "Fire on the Nile." Magraw and Gravatt recorded the album in just three days, composing all but one of the 11 tracks in the studio.

"And mixed on the fourth day," says Magraw.

"We had to," laughs Gravatt. "We didn't have a rock and roll budget."

While Gravatt and Magraw have crossed paths many times over the years, and played together, this current adventure began when Gravatt filled in with Magraw on one of his weekly gigs.

"We just clicked together," says Gravatt.

"Yeah. It was a connection. An immediate connection," agreed Magraw. "A lot of joy. The room seemed to turn into a big joy festival."

Both could do with a little joy.

Magraw underwent a bone marrow transplant a while back, and had to give up playing live for two years. The local arts community held fundraisers to help cover expenses and celebrated when he returned to the stage.

And despite his musical chops, Gravatt worked as a prison guard at the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Lino Lakes for 30 years to cover the bills. He retired and was looking for something to do.

"I haven't had a steady job with anybody since December 10, 2010," he says. "And Dean came along just in time to help me get over the hump. I hope it is an ongoing thing."

"Yeah, I love it," adds Magraw. "I hope it goes on forever."

The tracks on "Fire on the Nile" are as varied as Magraw and Gravatt's musical histories. There are jaunty numbers like "Coast Highway" and musical tributes to those who have gone before such as a drummer Gravatt looked up to as a youngster called Baby Wayne.

"Do you know his real name?" Magraw asked.

"I don't know. I never found out his real name. I failed to question him about it," Gravatt says.

"Isn't that a great nickname though? Baby Wayne? I love it!" adds Magraw.

The title track of "Fire on the Nile" was inspired by the turbulence in the Middle East. While the album features solo tracks by both performers the bulk of the record is Magraw and Gravatt improvising, drums and guitar playing off one another.

The musicians' respect for each other shines through.

Gravatt says Magraw's playing reminds him of some of the greats he has shared stages with in the past. He says as a drummer he would follow Magraw's lead. However Magraw sees things differently.

"Eric took the lead on the rhythmic side of it a lot of the time," he says. "If you have sound and then rhythm then the melodies are born. Combined sound with rhythm, that's a melody."

Magraw and Gravatt will play a CD release concert in the Weyerhaeuser Theater tomorrow evening as part of the Red House Records "Live from Landmark" Series. Gravatt says when Red House invited them to make the recording it was the first time in his 40 year career that such an offer had come unsolicited. Now he has high hopes for the disc.

"I hope it grabs everybody by the ears," he laughed. "Go out and grab the package, you know?"

Just don't call it jazz.

Dean Magraw and Eric Gravatt, 'Fire on the Nile' concert

• Date: Tonight
• Time: 7 p.m., meet the artists; Concert, 8 p.m.
• Location:Landmark Center, 75 5th Street W., St. Paul