This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing INK’s stage at the Plaza Art Fair this weekend, September 19-21.
Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle features a collection of KC’s finest musicians, fronted by pianist and composer Eddie Moore. The Houston native formed the group 3 years ago while working toward his Master of Arts in Jazz Studies at UMKC. We talked with Moore a bit about The Outer Circle’s jazz and soul-inspired sounds.
The Deli: Down and dirty: one sentence to describe your music.
Moore: My music can best be decribed as groovy, sophisticated soul.
The Deli: Give me some background info on The Outer Circle. How long have you been together? How did it all come to be?
Moore: The band has been together for about 3 years. The Outer Circle came to be while I was in graduate school at UMKC. We were all in combo together for the most part and shared common interests musically. We were often experimenting with ideas, and just having fun with them.
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
Moore: I think one of the greatest accomplishments has been the opportunity to take our music aboard. This past year myself and Matt Leifer (drums) collaborated with musicians from Costa Rica in celebration for the Limon Roots African Culture Awards held at the National Theatre in San Jose. To be a part of the celebration of African American music was a very humbling experience and honor.
The Deli: What is your songwriting process like?
Moore: I don’t have a specific writing process. I usually like to sit at the piano and think of things in my life that move me to create. It could be anything from hanging out with friends and family to the car breaking down on the freeway. We are all human and life is full of twists and turns.
The Deli: You just released your album, The Freedom of Expression, last February. What can we expect from it? Are you recording again anytime soon?
Moore: People can expect to hear pieces that tell great and different stories that take the listener on a calm, at times ruckus groovy journey.
We are in the middle of our second project now. I am very excited for it, as it will be quite different from our last, but still true to our sound.
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
Moore: Supporting local music to me as an artist is more than just going to local shows—yes, that is a big part and we all need support. However, I think the real support to local music is through collaboration with other artists, thus making the scene stronger. I choose to mainly play with groups that contribute their original music to the local scene, regardless of genre. Groups like Book of Gaia, Various Blonde, 77 Jefferson, Zack Mufasa, and The Project H to name a few. The time is now; more creativity makes a strong scene.
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
Moore: Peter Schlamb and The Project H. Both are friends of mine and great bands. Have been groovin’ out to their music a lot lately.
The Deli: Who are your favorite non-local musicians right now?
The Deli: Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Plaza Art Fair?
Moore: The Ink Stage is deep this year, I’m just gonna camp out there.
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
Moore: I am a specific lover of Houston Jazz being that I was raised there, and all the great musicians that are from the city. It would be a dream to one day share the bill with all those I look up to. Guys like Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, Jamire Williams, Walter Smith, and Mike Moreno.
The Deli: What other goals does Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle have for 2014, and beyond?
Moore: The main goal is to grow as band, creating more music to share with people all over the world.
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
Moore: Please, listeners and patrons, go hear and support local music as often as you can. Here in KC we are blessed to have great and interesting scene brewing with lots of young vibrant talent across the board make noise nationally. Artists, collab with your friends—as well as those you may not know—to do interesting original projects.
Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle is:
Eddie Moore: piano
Dominique Sanders: bass
Matt Hopper: guitar
Matt Leifer / Ryan Lee: drums
Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle will be playing on INK’s stage at Plaza Art Fair on Saturday, September 20 at 1:00 p.m. The stage is located at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Gram & Dun and Plaza III. Facebook event page.
--Michelle Bacon
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.
