Interview With Jordan Rudess

Updated: 05/27/00

Jordan Rudess is sure making a name for himself these days. Jordan was formerly with the Dixie Dregs on keyboards. Nowadays along with playing with The Liquid Tension Experiment, touring with Dream Theater and The Paul Winter Consort, it was difficult to catch up with him to do this interview. He completed these questions in Japan.

Highwire Daze: How long did you study at Julliard ? (ages from/till)

Jordan Rudess: Well Jup, I started when I was 9 years old in the preparatory division and continued through to the college division but left right before I turned nineteen.

HD: Who are some of your musical influences? (bands or solo performers)

Jordan: Come on man, you know the answer to that! F*ckin Hendrix, Genesis, ELP, Gentle Giant and don't forget about LSD.

HD: Top 3 favorite guitarists and drummers?

Jordan: Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Steve Morse (that's four) Terry Bozzio, Rod Morgenstein, Jupiter Lee and Mike Portnoy! (four again!)

HD: What's it like to tour with Dream Theater?

Jordan: It's amazing, man! We play all over the world and it's really incredible to share our music with so many different cultures who all enjoy it and relate to the music in their own unique way. Right now I am writing this to you from Japan. The guys in the band really get on quite well and we have a lot of fun together.

HD: What equipment and instruments are you currently using at home and on tour?

Jordan: Casio VL tone (oops) Actually I used to have one of those years ago, and Jupiter (our interviewer here) and I used to have very cool jams together with those and a couple of echo machines! On the DT tour I am using all Kurzweil products. I have two 2600 instruments and two 2500's. For the show I play on one keyboard that is Midi'd to a rack unit. The other instruments are used as backups in case something fails.

HD: Will Dream Theater or Liquid Tension Experiment be in LA this year?

Jordan: I think you missed that show, man! We played at the Palace two shows around Namm. One of those shows is now infamous for having the LA riot squad come in with the fire marshall and close the whole thing down right in the middle of our set! Jup man -- you missed the action!!

HD: Any more solo albums from you coming soon?

Jordan: Well I will definitely do more solo work. Exactly when we will see it I'm not sure. It's something that I really need to do fairly soon though. My head is spinning with riffs and unless I channel them I just might lose my mind!

HD: What record can't you live without?

Jordan: I have enough music spinning around in my head that I could probably live without any of it. These days when I'm not playing with DT or writing, very often silence is the best sound. I think Dark Side of the Moon has to be an all time favorite. That and Electric Ladyland by Hendrix of course.

HD: Will there be another RPM CD?

Jordan: Absolutely. Rod and I are discussing scheduling right now to make it happen. That project is a great musical outlet for me. Rod and I are eager to do another one soon. It will have to be done a lot quicker than the last one which took a long time to put together. We will probably do the record more LTE or Platypus style. Fast Furious and Fun!

HD: Where are your favorite places you have visited?

Jordan: Stockholm, Copenhagen, Barcelona..

HD: Favorite dessert?

Jordan: I'm always up for some really great chocolate! Just ask any one of the DT members about it and I'm sure you will get a smile. Jup -- Thanks for the interview buddy. You are the best! Stay toasted, remember to breath, and print every f*cking word of this! Your friend, musically, Jordan Rudess.