Podcast Summary: Tony Mantor’s Almost Live… Nashville

Episode: Patrice Rushen shares her artistic philosophy: Music comes first
Host: Tony Mantor
Guest: Patrice Rushen
Date: July 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this rich, introspective episode, Grammy-nominated artist Patrice Rushen joins Tony Mantor for a lively and philosophical conversation about her multifaceted musical career. Patrice delves into her journey as a jazz pianist, R&B singer, composer, producer, teacher, and music director. Throughout the episode, she shares her guiding belief that music and honest artistry must always come first, ahead of fame or commercial success. The two reflect on changes in the music industry, the value of mentorship and apprenticeship, the importance of broad musical vocabulary, and the wisdom artists need to sustain long, authentic careers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Current Projects & Ongoing Engagements

[02:44]

• Patrice is composing an orchestral piece commissioned by Juilliard Prep School and Interlochen, indicating her ongoing connection to both classical and contemporary music education.
• She is also actively performing her well-known songs, teaching, and embracing a diverse professional life:

  “Kind of a mixed bag of things, but that's really the way I like.” —Patrice [02:44]

2. Live Performance: Audience & Generational Impact

[03:41] – [05:43]

• Patrice reflects on the joy of returning to the stage after a hiatus and describes her cross-generational audience, pointing out the enduring impact of her music, especially "Forget Me Nots":

  “To be out and tour now is...maybe being in front of people who are 10 years old, right next to somebody who's 70 years old and them singing the same song, which is amazing and glorious.” —Patrice [04:14]

• Tony echoes how seeing families of all ages united by one song is “pretty cool.” [05:12]

3. Connection to Berklee and Music Education

[05:44]

• Patrice details her longstanding relationship with Berklee College of Music, her role as an ambassador for artistry in music education, and notes the evolving nature of the institution.

  "My relationship with them goes back quite a way.” —Patrice [05:50]

4. Early Musical Formation & Influences

[07:02] – [09:42]

• Patrice talks about early exposure to diverse musical environments—piano lessons, flute in school ensembles, and absorbing the music around her in Los Angeles.
• Huge array of influences: Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Brahms, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, Latin, reggae, gospel, and jazz.

  “It was more about the way it made me feel...I appreciated the artistry that went into the performance.” —Patrice [08:23]

5. The Composing Journey: From Stage to Studio

[09:57] – [10:58]

• Patrice clarifies that her professional composing and TV/film work emerged because she was visible as a performer.

  “The professional writing and composing came because of being out there...it was one kind of organic piece for me.” —Patrice [10:28/10:58]

6. The Role of Mentors & Critical Advice

[11:34] – [14:31]

• Describes a formative high school with access to innovative music educators and musicians from the LA scene.

• Notably, Quincy Jones once told her:

  “Oh, you’re going to have to be really, really, really good.” —Quincy Jones (quoted by Patrice), commenting on her aspiration to write for film/TV [13:24]

• Patrice later realized Jones was foreshadowing the obstacles she’d face and advising her to rely on her music’s quality and her commitment to her craft in the face of those challenges.

7. Transition to Producing

[14:56] – [16:02]

• Patrice’s move from composer and performer to producer was an organic evolution, informed by observation and experience as a session player.

  “It wasn’t like I was here and then I’m over there…I had my own albums in which I could be involved as co-producer.” —Patrice [15:26]

8. Ambitions & The Creative Bucket List

[16:13] – [16:58]

• Patrice aspires to compose long-form pieces, traverse different musical styles authentically, and continue collaborating with artists.

  “My bucket list is pretty long...there’s a lot more that I’d like to do. So I’ll just leave it at that. There’s more to come.” —Patrice [16:20]

9. Philosophy on Music, Artistry, and Success

[17:18] – [25:09]

• The pair discuss the reality of the hard work behind music, the ongoing learning required, and the temptation for new artists to focus on fame over substance.

• Patrice stresses the primacy of music:

  “You do what you need to do so you can do what you want to do...build a great musical foundation on which you can have as a platform.” —Patrice [17:18] “It’s not a competition. It’s community...It’s more important to be able to do the thing [music] than to have these many friends or followers.” —Patrice [19:40] “If you want to do something that has the capacity...for people to want to keep revisiting the feeling you set, then the music comes first.” —Patrice [24:42]

• On apprenticeship and growth:

  “You have to put yourself in situations where you’re not the best one in the room.” —Patrice [21:27]

10. Touring, Fan Connections, and the Changing Industry

[25:31] – [27:10]

• Patrice discusses her strong, loyal UK and European fanbase, recent tours, and the challenges of international touring due to rising costs and less record company support.

  “There's a lot of interest, that's for sure…I think one of the things that people forget is how expensive touring can be.” —Patrice [26:30]

Notable Quotes

• On Universal Appeal & Longevity:
  “Music that is done properly, recorded correctly, has a lot of heart, never ends.” —Tony [05:34]

• On Mentorship & Evolution:
  “If you're very good, you can do anything.” —Patrice, reflecting community message at her high school [13:23]

• On Artistic Responsibility in the Digital Age:
  “The responsibility of what it is [music] is still part of what makes us human.” —Patrice [20:19]

• On Authenticity:
  “If you have feel, you’ve got everything. If you’ve got technique but no feel, you’ve got nothing.” —Tony, quoting his Berklee improv teacher [20:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:44] – Patrice’s current commissions and performing activity
• [04:14] – Returning to touring and the multigenerational audience
• [05:44] – Connection to Berklee, educational impact
• [07:02] – Musical upbringing and inspirations
• [09:57] – Path from performer to professional composer
• [13:24] – Advice from Quincy Jones
• [14:56] – Becoming a producer: observations and transition
• [16:13] – Patrice’s ongoing goals and bucket list
• [19:40] – Community over competition; substance over followers
• [21:27] – Value of growth and apprenticeship experiences
• [24:42] – “The music comes first”: teaching the next generation
• [25:31] – Touring, fans, and the challenges of today’s industry

Conclusion

Patrice Rushen’s episode is an essential listen for anyone interested in music’s sustaining power, the importance of prioritizing artistry, and the long-term journey of authentic success. Her experiences and insights—delivered in her grounded, thoughtful style—offer both practical advice and inspiration to artists and fans alike:

“Then the music comes first. And when we come from that place, they start to get it.” —Patrice Rushen [24:42]