New York City-based saxophonist Michael Blake is coming to Hua Hin this weekend to play in two different groups at the Jazz Festival: the fire breathing Ibrahim Electric and his own spacy, free jazz quartet, Blake Tartare. His discography includes stints with some of the brightest luminaries in music, both inside and outside the jazz world: Medeski, Martin and Wood, Ben E. King, Tricky, DJ Logic, and John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards (the leader of which appeared in Jim Jarmusch’s cult classic films, Down by Law and Stranger Than Paradise).

Have you played much outside the U.S.?
I have performed at almost every major jazz festival in the world: Montreal, San Francisco, JVC New York, Berlin, Vienna, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Paris, etc...

How do music festivals on a Thai beach differ from other music festivals?
I won’t be able to answer that until after I perform there. I expect there to be a lot of very relaxed and friendly people.

Do people usually recognize you or your music at these sorts of events?
I wouldn’t say usually. There are some loyal and serious music fans who pay attention to my particular brand of jazz. I am always happy to meet my fans and make new ones.

Do you usually find jazz festivals filled with more music aficionados or clueless wanderers that happened to be in the area?
Both.

What’s John Lurie like in real life? Anything like that dude in Down by Law?
He’s like that dude in Down by Law.

Is there any one person or group you can point to as being responsible for “lite” jazz? And what’s up with that stuff anyway?
Any artist who betrays his personal relationship with his art is faking it. So if someone believes that “lite” is good music and they really are sincere and they don’t think “lite” is bad, well to them it’s a wonderful and hip way of expressing themselves. If they know they are wasting their talent playing insipid music then they have to live with that. An artist like Grover Washingon Jr.—who may have been one of the originators of “lite” jazz—was really soulful and sincere. So don’t blame him. It’s the radio stations who will only play that style that are provoking it. Musicians are always just trying to make a living and some choose to play “lite” music so they can connect to a wider audience. Plus, I think the performances and production have just gotten worse over the years. I don’t listen, perform or pay attention to “lite” jazz or most “mainstream” jazz either.

What city has the most interesting jazz scene right now, in your opinion?
New York City is the jazz mecca. But these days a musician doesn’t have to live in NYC to be part of an interesting jazz scene. Chicago, Vancouver, Copenhagen, Barcelona, etc…they are all thriving!

What’s the scene like backstage at a Jazz Festival? Groupie city?
I hope it is at Hua Hin! Seriously, the vibe is usually warm, inviting and family friendly.­