JOSH SKLAIR INTERVIEW ON ETTA JAMES
“Etta taught us all to be BOLD. Musically and every other way.”
Josh Sklair is a two-time GRAMMY Award winning musician, guitarist, band leader, and 20+ year collaborator of Etta James.
Courtesy of Josh Sklair
Having worked with Etta for over 20 years, how would you describe the captivating elements of Etta’s performance style onstage?
Etta used to say “As soon as my foot hits the stage…” (and she often performed barefoot) she would transform. All pain would leave and she was instantly in her zone. Her beginnings in the Church assured a holy transcendence to every performance, even if she was singing “You can leave your hat on.” Fully present, totally committed and connected to everyone in the audience and onstage. Always deeply soulful and spiritual, drawing on Her very own legendary life experience.
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Working with Etta intimately in the studio writing songs, how would you two work together? What was the creative process? Did the lyrics or the melodies come first?
Etta was masterful in the studio. Perfect mic technique and had all the studio smarts. She made a lot of records! She trusted me and we spoke the same language.
Etta was not fond of 2nd takes. I once asked her if she wanted to try a pass standing up and can’t believe I could ever have been so green - early producing duties - she grudgingly obliged that fateful night at Capitol. But I never did that again. She once gave me the direction before a guitar solo to be like “an albino, with white eyeballs, coming down off of a mountain!”
Writing songs with Etta James was a pleasure and I wish we wrote more. It just flowed without judgment. I might add a slightly awkward line and by the time she rephrased it and sang it, it was cool. The melodies came naturally and bluesy. She was very specific about the groove and it was usually quite a few clicks slower than first suggested.
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In your career, you’ve worked with icons like the Blues Brothers, Jeffrey Osborne, and Aretha Franklin. Why work alongside Etta for over 20 years?
Any pro musician would understand that Etta was my “main gig,” especially after she made me “the band leader.” She used every part of me: my guitar playing, arranging, conducting, recording knowledge, producing and songwriting. In Blues, Rock, Jazz, Country, even taking me with her to Nashville. I was humbled to be so fully used and appreciated by such a Queen. Every other artist or producer usually hones in on one or two aspects of my talent and I am always grateful for the work, but Etta used up every part of the animal, and we went all the way together, in every sense.
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You’ve performed with Etta at large-scale venues like the Hollywood Bowl and smaller venues like jazz clubs. How would you describe the intense emotional journey of performing onstage at various venue sizes with her?
When I joined up with Jamesetta Hawkins in the mid 80s we were both well seasoned in every type of performance venue, she of course way more than I. Every performance was its own thing. I would make a point of going to her dressing room right before the gig. It often felt like going into the lioness’s den, but it would be worse if I omitted that ritual. She might be in a good mood, finishing touches being applied to her hair and make up, she’d say “Hey Josh, what do we wanna come on with?” One time at the Hollywood Bowl I was so tired of shuffling the set list I just suggested “At Last.” Etta said “Really?” She had hired a string quartet for the ‘Bowl and we hit the stage with that classic intro. A riot ensued!
Montreux Jazz Festival or the little Vine Street Bar & Grill, we cooked it up from scratch every time and you never knew what could happen but with Etta it was almost always totally stellar.
You’ve collaborated with Etta on albums like “Let’s Roll” in 2003 and more. Apart from her music, she was known for her vibrant quotes and strong personality. In what ways did her personality influence you? As an artist, what did you look forward to when collaborating with her and other artists?
Etta taught us all to be BOLD. Musically and every other way. Make strong statements. Stand your ground and don’t take any BS! I have been blessed to work for many Great American Musical Icons and they each have “their thing,” to be respected and enjoyed. But Etta was a Crossfire Hurricane!
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