The extremely talented artist Tim Lin is turning the world upside down with his debut song ‘My Foolish Heart’. The independent artist is turning everyone’s head with his prolific music. The rhythmic and thematic flow of his track has garnered a lot of listeners. Recently we have got the chance to catch a conversation over a coffee, and this is how it went:
Thank you, Mr. Tim Lin for taking out your valuable time for us. Let’s begin.
1. Hello, Mr. Tim Lin, it is a pleasure to meet you. Congratulations on your new release ‘My Foolish Heart. It is receiving so many responses from everyone. Would you like to tell your fans more about the making of My Foolish Heart?
A: It was a product of labor, love, and circumstance during tough times created by Covid 19 pandemic. I was planning to release my first album in 2020 with this all-star team I hand picked, but we had to delay until December 2021. Finally we met in New York during December 2021 and had a recording session that started at 10PM!!!! I left the studio that night at 5AM in the morning, called my girlfriend and mentor and couldn’t fall asleep. This is track 5 of the record, and I think it captures a lot of the way I think about music: beauty, sound, swing, nuance, playing together as a musical unit, and expressing yourself honestly in a transparent way instead of through ego.
2. What inspired you to make this song?
A: Bill Evans and my personal experiences of loving to play this tune for others. Andy LaVerne is Bill’s protege so it was only fitting that we did Andy’s beautiful reharmonization on a version made so famous by Bill.
3. What is the reason behind coming to the industry at such an early age?
A: I grew up wanting to be a musician. While all my closest friends and colleagues became doctors, engineers, and financially fulfilling paths, I always felt different from the crowd. Nothing else drew me in like jazz and the saxophone, and it is a passion I’ve never let go of.
4. Are there any upcoming projects your fans can wait for?
A: The physical CD will release late April/early March. I am recording my 2nd album in NYC in December.
5. From where did you learn to play the saxophone?
A: I studied with a famous saxophone teacher named Dann Zinn in the Bay Area who taught me the meaning of hard work and practice. He instilled a craftsmanship like mentality in me and showed me how much of a commitment it was to try and sound good on your instrument. Then when I moved to LA to college, I followed and mentored under Bob Sheppard, one of the greatest saxophonists in the world.
6. Are there any other instruments you would like to try out?
A: I play piano to work on standard jazz tunes. I would like to work more on drums to work on my time independence but tenor saxophone, piano, soprano saxophone keep me busy. I’m not much of a woodwind doubler, although I do enjoy playing the flute more than clarinet.
7. How do manage to work alone and create such prolific music?
A: I wouldn’t label my music as prolific, but thank you for the compliment. This is just who I am and what I do, and I’ve learned to be comfortable in my own skin doing my own thing. I never thought of myself as a leader but often times find myself being one who creates something out of nothing.
8. Apart from jazz would you like to try out something else?
A: I play casual gigs to support my love of jazz ranging from RnB, weddings, funk bands, big bands, rehearsal bands, etc.
9. Do you like to give any tips to all the aspiring artists?
A: Practice. Work hard. Record and listen to yourself then isolate what made you cringe in your practice sessions when you listen back.
10. How would you express your musical journey in one word?
A: Unpredictable.
11. Is there anything you are working on anything right now?
A: My next album which will be recorded in NYC in December 2022. I’m excited to play a bit more soprano saxophone and work more on piano. I haven’t been practicing as much as I used to because I started repairing saxophones as a part time job to support myself but plan to hit the practice room hard again once I am settled in NYC.
12. Would you like to give any message to your fans?
A: Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to my music and I hope you were able to connect with it in some way! Please feel free to reach out via social media, I respond to everyone. Cheers!!!
