Featured Artist

I remember meetings brother Abyss a few years back. And sometimes, meeting rock star poets (reference to popular poets) is disappointing. Attitudes are unnecessary and professionalism is at a minimum. But when I met Abyss, he was one of the most humble, down to earth poets that I have met in a long while. Always trying to enhance his art and taking it to the next level, Abyss is one poet that has inspired me to try and do my poetry while playing an instrument. He is powerful. He is peaceful. He is poetry.

SV: Abyss, we really appreciate this opportunity to interview you. First off, we would like to know where the concept of your stage name emerged from?

Abyss: My stage name came from my barber. His name is Carl. He said it described my work and it stuck with me since '98.

SV: I understand that you are a self-taught musician. What instruments do you play? Also, what inspired you to learn how to play an instrument?

Abyss: Self-taught on the guitars. I play electric bass, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, trumpet, baritone, and sousaphone. I’m working on the trombone, upright bass and a lil piano. My inspiration comes from the most high and when I start tinkering with the instruments, it's almost like remembering something you knew how to do long ago.

SV: How long have you been writing and what, or who inspired you to write?

Abyss: Eleven years and I was really propelled to do this after my mom's death. I couldn't afford a shrink so I had to write so my life became a public journal.

SV: What has been your most challenging moment as an artist?

Abyss: Being respected financially and artistically (and not in that order necessarily) has been the latest challenge, but it is a beautiful struggle. I have a wonderful life that has glitches, but I've promise to write nations out of bondage.

SV: Now, lately, I have seen several poets being featured on Jazz Musicians projects, such as AUDRA! on Mike Phillips’s CD, Shihan on Marcus Miller’s project, and of course, yourself, featured on PRINCE’s bass guitar player’s CD, Rhonda Smith. Tell us how did that collaboration come about.

Abyss: The Rhonda Smith Project came about through a very cool cat by the name of Joey Sommerville. He had the ear for the track, my voice, the music and he is a exceptional trumpeter.

SV: Tell us a little about your up and coming CD.

Abyss: I'm working on the new CD right now. I’m unsure about the title, because it's going to be a collection of old thoughts, new perspectives and recent thoughts with new concepts. But some of my guests on this work are HBO Def Poets Amir Sulaiman, Georgia Me, Jon Goode, Tommy Bottoms, Kelsy Davis, just to name a few. This project will not be slept on.