Talking About Music With Elizabeth Clement
When in the witness of live musical performances, one of the very first things I notice is the sense of how hard one has worked to be their prepared best. It is this factor that leads to an authenticity I look for in art and in general…life. I also look for the same thing in the human behind the musician. Authenticity as a good person. In a world that is overdosing on people overdosing on themselves – especially in this industry – I find it to be the coolest thing ever when I simply meet other artists who find the medicine in the music itself to be the real pursuit.
Meet Julie Elizabeth Clement. I’ve been watching her and Frank Stepanek develop a project over the last couple of years. I really enjoy what they do – which muchly comes down to creating new readings on familiar hits in a way that requires real digging in. In this pursuit an artist will face their own sense of boldness for the adventure along with their own sense of modesty. And I can hear when this is in balance.
I’m a fan of the hard-working Julie Elizabeth Clement – as it’s always a privilege to watch somebody on a solid upward motion. She’s a terrific bassist, pounding away at the low end in support of none other than guitar-wielding Frank Stepanek. She also sings her ass off when it’s her turn at the mic.
Badass rocker on stage. Real nice lady off stage. Easy to approach and talk with.
Chuck Schiele: How long have you been playing music?
Julie Elizabeth Clement: Since I can remember, I started playing piano by ear at our house before kindergarten.
CS: You are working with Frank Stepanek. Please share with us a bit about your project with him?
JEC: Frank and I have both the Frank & Julie Duo, and the Jimi Marley Trio. We primarily play 60s & 70s rock and reggae tunes, then some blues, originals of Frank’s, and I lead a few pop-up 80s/90s songs. The Trio simply adds a drummer. I am the bassist and lead and support vocals; Frank is the founder and lead guitarist and vocalist.
We use various drummers. What I think characterizes us is having no ordered set-lists at gigs, our song-style and overall volume accommodates each venue, and we roll songs right into the next. The Jimi Marley Trio concept originated by Frank many years ago as a merge or blend of sorts with Jimi Hendriks edge and Bob Marley vibe. His idea is to bring this creative vibe to festivals, or similar venues. We perform this angle at a lesser level at some of our regular gigs, staying sensitive to the environments.
CS: How would you characterize your style per influences as a bassist and vocalist?
JEC: Overall, I would say passion and depth characterize my playing and singing. I’m a passionate player or at least am most content in a passionate state while playing. Connecting notes, touch, and dynamics are the cells so to speak, of the meta-physical musical experience. I try to play from a subconscious root and would like to think that what I play stems and reflects that. If my consciousness is swimming inside the world of any piece, then I am existing in that moment’s musical aura and hopefully giving all that it encompasses to the human souls who hear it. Of course this is only successful if I’ve put in the discipline.
What mostly sparked my musical passion is that from infancy my ears and mind were surrounded with music in the home, car, and many family gatherings. My Dad really embraced music deeply and I think he needed it daily in his life. We had an intercom system in the house and music rang through every room. We had a juke-bo in our cellar that we’d roller skate to, and a player and baby grand pianos in the home. Accordions, pianos, bazookas, and harmonic vocals of songs from the 20’s-40’s eras were always a part of the regular, extended family scene. In fact, I anxiously waited for it to happen and remember nearly begging for my Dad and his siblings to start the music! Dad enjoyed most all genres, as I also do.
CS: What do you enjoy most about being a musician?
JEC: That I can [do it]. It’s honest. Music feeds me, teaches me, encourages me, and challenges me. I’m facinated where music experiences overlap and meld. Ultimately, to me it’s an art of healing and connecting with ourselves and others. I’m compelled to share my small musical micro-world of interpretation and expression.
CS: What are your thoughts on the CNY music scene?
JEC: I’m still learning the scene. I’ve only been among the CNY music scene since about 2016 when I started to go to open mics at bars or other venues. The live and recording music scene seem to be at the core of CNY. It’s valued and seems to survive the ebb and flow of economic changes, personality challenges, and modern technology. Overall, I experience and see support among musicians in the community. True to most artists, the musicians will be out and play whether there are gigs or not. I’m amazed at how many venues have live music, it’s a real engine. We need to be a team. Also, there seems to be a healthy appreciation for most genres in our community but I’m unclear whether there are opportunities for cross-over, experiential connections and platforms. We’re all musicians and should embrace, intermix, and support musicians of every type, style, and level across the board. In the end we all want the same things, I think.
CS: What are some of the highlights in your music path?
JEC: Chuck, a simple way to put it is that unless there is support and opportunity, I would not be anywhere near what I have experienced – and I’m just starting. Every door, every sincere feedback, every patience, and every performance stage leads an artist on. A few teachers and mentors really have made my musical journey possible. It started after eight months of taking private piano lessons at 20 years old, the young woman encouraged me to apply to OCC for the music program. I had no intentions of attending college. We prepared four classical pieces from memory and I got accepted the following fall semester of 1990.
My OCC piano professor Dr. Kevin Moore was incredibly nurturing, and confidently challenged my potential. I was a co-winner of the piano competition my second year, and was nominated to be the commencement speaker because of the milestones that I made while at OCC (having come from essentially no structured musical direction in my life). Furthermore, I was accepted to the music programs at Ithaca, Fredonia, Nazareth, and Potsdam.
Another highlight was when I started to sing at open mics while playing guitar. See, I never sang in my younger years. My speaking voice was a bit rash and I was picked on for it sometimes.
A man who I barely knew heard me singing live on Facebook during COVID and critiqued and guided me within his limits, assuring me that I had raw talent. He has since passed on.
Over the course of the past eight years I have taught myself a handful of instruments at the beginner-intermediate levels. Someone recommended me to join a Celtic group, so I auditioned on accordion and became the first member to play something other than the Scottish Bagpipe in the group. I played other instruments with them as well for one year. When I volunteered for CNY Jazz for five years, it warmed my heart to be around music that my Dad always loved! I met many people in our community and enjoyed supporting Jazz venues.
Also, I was a volunteer musician for eight years at a church with a contemporary music band. Initially, this was as gruelling as it was thrilling for me. It built confidence and was my first experience in a band. The Worship Leader, Kelsey Kotash, was an incredible role model to me and was a humble, patient, sincere person who held the reins perfectly and allowed me to express my ear on keys, and to perform other unique instruments in the band that I taught myself.
For nearly three years I have been a part-time Worship Director, playing a 1929 numatic organ and piano and selecting the songs for the choir and services. What a true honor to be entrusted by such wonderful and talented people as I continue on that journey.
Finally, two and a half years ago I met Frank Stepanek. I knew nothing of him, nor appreciated all that he’s accomplished in the industry. What I did immediately appreciate was the dynamics of his passion and unique style. Frank noticed my innate musical ability; but also was brutally honest with areas in my music performing that I had to face and work on if I expected more for myself. I was unfocused, and determined to play many instruments and many genres weekly. I was not gaining much ground. He has encouraged me to sing and guides that development, and has taught me about performance on stage (something no one has ever mentioned to me). He fully supports my role as a music director and had me retrieve my base that was stored for a few years and taught me the music he performs. His persistent, and patient mentoring has made a big difference in my quality and confidence – though there’s endless work learning more. Other people have noticed the improvements too, which is nice to know when I need to hear that.
CS: What would you tell a kid who became interested in music…your best advice?
JEC: I would tell a kid or adult interested in playing or singing music to take themself seriously in that they should definitely pursue it with focus and regular intention, but also to be patient with the process. That they should not be an island but part of the community however they can, to get direction and encouragement, and give the same. Trust their instincts but also sift through advice and challenge themselves beyond their comfort level.
CS: What is in the near future for your music?
JEC: I would love to utilize other instruments that I’ve set aside somehow. Frank and I have started to make DUB tracks which can have me on keys, rhythm guitar, and bass. He is typically on drums, percussion, and guitar, or most any instrument. We’re having fun when we can focus there. The idea of putting a duo album together has come up – perhaps a different style than what we perform out. Also, we are contemplating small tours.
CS: How can we stay in touch with you, the group and the music?
JEC: I can be reached at julie.e.clement@gmail.com, and by messaging me on Facebook where you can also find our pinned schedules and live recordings:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1339197404
or look for: Julie Elizabeth Clement (Diello). The Jimi Marley Trio has a Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557366783330&sk=about
CS: Thank you for talking with us here at Sounds of Syracuse, Julie. It’s been a pleasure.
JEC: Chuck, I’m very thankful that you approached me to share my scarse but intense musical journey. I hope any heart of a musician who is encouraged to continue on with their musical passion, will.
