THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Jayson Norris

Expat-Kiwi Jayson Norris has lived in London since 2004 and has, I am told, released two albums internationally before his Freedom Twenty Eight on New Zealand's Loop label -- which puts him in excellent company.

I'm not quite sure how this works out but his bio says he has seen him "sharing the stage with huge names such as Andrea Bocelli, Paul McCartney and Mark Knopfler".

Sir, we salute you.

But Freedom Twenty Eight is clearly in the lineage of local roots music (ie. reggae and the kind of international beach-folk of Jack Johnson) but also connects to his heritage in songs such Freedom to Live which pays tribute to his late grandfather Charlie who was in the 28th Maori Battalion.

Jayson Norris hits the road in February and March 2011 around New Zealand/Aotearoa (dates below) but in the meantime he is another who answers the Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire . . .

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

From what I can remember it was “Life Begins At 40”………………….life hasn’t started just yet then.

Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . . .

Wham! (yes I know), then I moved onto Guns n Roses and Lenny Kravitz……then later on discovering all the good old classics.

Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z

Lennon ( because he’s dead)…Nirvana (because Kurt’s dead) Madonna ( because she’s almost dead) ... Jacko ( just because)

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

A sushi chef……because I like sushi?

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

Freedom To Live, Love Someone, Window …. ALL MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... from the new album Freedom 28 [left], available in all good music stores (spoken in a good old radio voice)

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home

Nah, I had to sell all the valuable stuff because I was broke, and no-one wanted the strange stuff so I threw it out.

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .

The Ultimate Guitar Book

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

I would get on stage with Ben Harper and we would play Freedom To Live, Love Someone and Window from my new album.

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

Shrek 1, 2 and 3.

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

Last CD was a blank one  . . . so I could burn [the BBC children's television show, right] In the Night Garden for my son.

One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you in that case would be . . .

Freedom To Live by Jayson Norris

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

Freedom 28 (my new album which I’m really proud of).

You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .

A full Ta Moko of my family history and ancestry.

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

I would live by the ocean so I could fish, dive, and write music with my family

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

This is my best album ever because it cost the most to make and everyone should buy it so I can pay off my huge debt …..

Jason Norris on tour 2011

Feb 12 -- Jamesom Jam Session with trhe Black Seeds. Sol Square, Christchurch

Feb 24 -- Finn MacCuhals, Taupo

Feb 25 -- Juice Bar, Auckland

Feb 26 -- Kentish Hotel, Waiuku

Feb 27 - Carringtons Winery, Karikari Peninsula

March 3 -- Astrolabe, Mt Maunganui

March 4 -- Diggers Bar. Hamilton

March 5 -- Homegrown, Wellington