Mark Kavuma reflected on his profound connection to the album In Orbit by Clark Terry and Thelonious Monk, calling it one of the most significant influences in his development as a musician. Kavuma emphasized that while the album might not be widely recognized, it stands out for featuring a trumpet-led quartet, a rarity compared to the more common quintet formations. This album helped him realize the possibilities within jazz music.
Kavuma discovered the album almost serendipitously when a friend provided him with a hard drive containing numerous Thelonious Monk recordings. While exploring this collection at around 19 years old, he stumbled upon In Orbit, which immediately resonated with him. He found that it beautifully combined various musical elements that aligned with his own identity, including strong gospel influences, particularly in tracks like “Trust In Me.” Although he noted that the musicians might not have been strictly church-oriented, the spiritual essence of the music deeply connected with his childhood experiences.
Kavuma expressed his affinity for melody, praising the album’s strength in this area. He is a devoted fan of Clark Terry, whom he ranks among his top five trumpet players. Kavuma described Terry as a master melody weaver, noting that his sound, phrasing, and articulation were unlike anything he had previously encountered.
Initially, Kavuma’s primary influences on the trumpet were Miles Davis and Clifford Brown. He highlighted Brown’s distinct double-tongue and triple-tongue techniques, alongside his impressive range. In contrast, while Miles Davis may not have had as extensive a range, his sound was crystal clear. Kavuma acknowledged that the essence of trumpet playing hinges on sound, which made Terry’s unique approach all the more intriguing to him. He recognized Terry’s use of doodle-tonguing, a technique not commonly associated with classical training, which further endeared the album to him.
After his initial encounter with the album, Kavuma delved deeply into Clark Terry’s work and was fascinated by the personalized nature of Terry’s musical style. He also held a deep appreciation for Thelonious Monk, citing him as one of his all-time favorite musicians. Kavuma admired Monk’s compositional style and the way he accompanied Terry, expressing a desire to develop a recognizable musical identity of his own, akin to Monk’s distinctive touch. The contrasting personalities of Terry and Monk—Terry’s joyful spirit versus Monk’s serious and sometimes misunderstood demeanor—struck a chord with Kavuma.
This significant musical exploration coincided with a pivotal moment in Kavuma’s life as he was applying to Trinity College of Music. He began to seriously contemplate pursuing a career in music. The album reinforced for him the importance of imbuing his work with personal authenticity: “Whatever I do, it has to have my personality.” As he approached his first album and subsequent projects, Kavuma aimed to express what was within him through his music, a path inspired by In Orbit.
To ensure he could listen to the album wherever he went, Kavuma purchased it on iTunes, quickly making it a daily staple in his life. He acknowledged that regardless of his mood, playing In Orbit always reaffirmed his passion for music, reminding him of the reasons he chose this path.
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