{"id":30499,"date":"2025-11-12T14:15:30","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T06:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gqhongkong.com\/?p=30499"},"modified":"2026-03-18T15:29:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T07:29:46","slug":"american-pianist-producer-and-composer-john-carroll-kirby-on-conveying-humour-and-spirituality-through-jazz-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gqhongkong.com\/en\/lifestyle-en\/american-pianist-producer-and-composer-john-carroll-kirby-on-conveying-humour-and-spirituality-through-jazz-music","title":{"rendered":"American pianist, producer, and composer John Carroll Kirby on conveying humour and spirituality through jazz music"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

American jazz pianist, producer, and composer John Carroll Kirby blends elements of funk, new age, and exotica into his jazz compositions, creating pure, accessible melodies that resonate with listeners from all walks of life. Raised in Los Angeles\u2019 laid-back atmosphere, Kirby studied under legendary bassist John Clayton at the University of Southern California. Since 2017, he has released eight studio albums, including Travel<\/em>, Conflict<\/em>, My Garden<\/em>, and Blowout<\/em>. Most recently, he composed the score for the film The Luckiest Man in America<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kirby has also collaborated with numerous acclaimed artists such as Blood Orange, Kali Uchis, Frank Ocean, Harry Styles, and Miley Cyrus, co-producing tracks like \u201cDHL,\u201d \u201cCanyon Moon,\u201d and \u201cBad Karma.\u201d Notably, he co-produced and performed on Solange\u2019s 2016 Grammy-winning album A Seat at the Table<\/em>, featuring the acclaimed single \u201cCranes in the Sky.\u201d Refusing to be confined by genre, Kirby\u2019s work radiates a sense of spiritual depth and playful humor, earning him the reputation of being \u201ca musician\u2019s musician.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This November 13, John Carroll Kirby will perform live in Hong Kong at Salon 10 with guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento, promising an evening of immersive and soulful sound. In his exclusive interview with GQ Hong Kong<\/em>, Kirby opens up about his creative inspirations, his journey across multiple musical roles, and how he continues to shape his signature sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image Courtesy of Jackie Lee Young<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Growing up in Pasadena with a jazz mentor like John Clayton, what was the first record or riff that made you think, “This is what I want to do with my life”?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a song by Jimmy Smith called Organ Grinders Swing that comes to mind. He\u2019s playing so soulfully but he\u2019s also mumbling between breaks in the music. I don\u2019t know what he was saying, but it just sounded strange and funny. Something about that connected with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What album remains inspirational to you till today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can put on Thrust by Herbie Hancock at any time. It never gets old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who are your biggest influences in your sound?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like Herbie Hancock, Ahmad Jamal, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Haroumi Hosono. I feel like across all of these artists is a sense of playfulness or humor. Thats very important to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s unique about jazz that makes you fall in love in the first place?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jazz means freedom. But to often gain that freedom you need to be dedicated and disciplined. At its best Jazz is a lifestyle and code of ethics. It means being humble and bringing up those around you, while at the same time being able to say whatever you want through music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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