An Exclusive Conversation with Juliet Varnedoe

What initially sparked your interest in pursuing a career in the arts for those who may not be familiar with your background? 

Growing up in Louisiana and Florida, I was immersed in classical and jazz music at a young age from my German father and Cajun French mother. I began my musical studies at the age of 6 with piano lessons and performed in various musical groups, including local bands, choirs, musicals, and recitals. I was heading towards a classical music career, however, it wasn’t until I moved to San Francisco at the age of 22 to pursue studies at the San Francisco Art Institute that I temporarily shifted my focus to a career in photography. 

While I explored the visual arts in San Francisco, my passion for music never waned. My future husband owned a successful jazz club and I was reconnected to hearing live music. We moved to New York together and there I experienced a renaissance in my musical pursuits by immersing myself in the jazz and cabaret scene of the city. The energy and creativity of New York inspired me to pursue a career in the arts, where I could blend my passion for performance with my artistic vision. 

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest single? 

“Old Spot” came about one day while I was washing dishes and feeling blue. I heard this Gypsy jazz riff on the radio and I started to hum along to cheer myself up. I realized that oftentimes we get depressed when we start thinking about the things we missed or the things we never got in life – as if there is some sort of guarantee! As I continued to work on this seed of the song, I wrote the chorus lyrics that reminded me not to focus on what I think I need, but rather all the things I already have. How mysterious and wonderful that is. 

What themes or emotions are explored in this song? 

“Old Spot” explores themes of longing, nostalgia, and the persistent pull of negative thought patterns. The titular ‘old spot’ symbolizes the familiar, albeit detrimental, mental space we often find ourselves retreating to out of habit when faced with discontent and regrets. It reflects the innate human tendency to yearn for the fulfillment of our dreams and desires, even in the face of the realization that the concept of ‘having it all’ is perpetuated by the culture that surrounds us. It’s like a sore tooth you can’t help but touch. 

How does this single fit into the larger narrative of your music career or your upcoming projects?

This single holds a key position within the upcoming Cajun Bleu project, set for release this April. In this project, I’ve sought to authentically capture the essence of French jazz influences, with a particular focus on the iconic sound of Django Reinhardt’s ‘Quintette du Hot Club de France.’ The infectious rhythms and soulful melodies of French jazz provided the foundational inspiration for ‘Old Spot’ and the broader Cajun Bleu project. 

Could you describe the creative process behind this single, from concept to production? 

Once I had the gypsy jazz riff in my head, I was quickly able to write the chords in a simple ABA form on my piano. Then I made a LogicPro demo, along with the rest of my songs, and looked for a producer who would appreciate the traditional jazz sounds I was working with, but give it a modern polish. Ben Rubin is a jazz bass player, as well as a producer, and it turns out we had some San Francisco connections. He actually played in my husband’s club a few times. We worked together to create the sound field using electronics along with acoustic recordings. I had some clarinet tracks from Dennis Lichtman recorded as I was working on the demo, and I used all of them as a trio for the solos. Jon Dryden supplied the accordion tracks. We created the drum sounds from there and then I did the vocals and harmonies. 

What can listeners expect to experience or feel when they listen to this track? My hope is that it’s a good, catchy toe tapper about a profound idea. 

Are there any interesting stories or anecdotes from the recording or writing of this song that you’d like to share? 

When I first approached my producer Ben, I had a dozen demos and I asked him to choose the ones he wanted to work on. With “Old Spot” he kept bugging me about the lyrics. He didn’t like the image and said, “I don’t get it – but it has a catchy groove so let’s do it.” That memory always makes me smile, because it reminds me that songs can land a variety of ways on the listener. 

As an artist, can you identify three key traits that define you? 

Innovative, visionary, joyful 

What can we anticipate in terms of your upcoming projects?

Now that Cajun Bleu is complete, I plan to perform the material live this year. As I do this, I will start sketching the next cycle of songs and continue using Acadian culture as the base. 

Where can our readers find additional information about you and your work? https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/juliet-varnedoe 

https://julietvarnedoejazz.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcBKT_6wFkc1tmXY5Ze3Jw