Kombo – The Interview
ITW by Thierry De Clemensat
Member at Jazz Journalists Association
USA correspondent for Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief – Bayou Blue Radio
With the release of their album Pretty Solid, reviewed in detail on Paris-Move, the spotlight naturally turns to Kombo, a project built around two seasoned musicians: keyboardist Ron Pedley and guitarist John Pondel. Both are studio veterans, and you can hear it immediately: the album’s production leaves nothing to chance.
Pedley’s career has taken him from Maynard Ferguson to Barry Manilow, a wide artistic span that reveals, above all, his enduring love for melody. Pondel has enjoyed an equally impressive path, both on stage and in the studio, lending his guitar to artists ranging from Al Jarreau to Rick Braun to Art Pepper.
Thierry De Clemensat: Listening to the album, one immediately hears echoes of your past musical experiences, in the way you structure introductions, shape the voicings, and handle transitions. Which of your artistic influences still weigh most heavily on you today?
John Pondel: The bridge between R&B and jazz, where rhythm and sophisticated harmony meet, most powerfully informs my musical perspective, especially for Kombo. Soul jazz kings like Horace Silver, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers teach the power of groove and melodic storytelling. In the 70’s, Stevie Wonder, Weather Report and Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters pushed technical virtuosity with infectious funk and fearless experimentation. In the 80’s Metheny and Mays were so original that their sound can’t help live somewhere in my bones!
Thierry De Clemensat: Although Pretty Solid is released on Shanachie, a label often associated with smooth jazz, I’m not sure we can call this simply a “smooth jazz” record. The sound blends elements of jazz, funk, soul, and more. Was that a deliberate choice from the start?
Ron Pedley: That’s a great question. From the very beginning, Kombo has always come from a soul-jazz-funk place, that’s really at the core of what John and I do with the Hammond organ and guitar. If you go back to our very first record The Big Blast, more than 15 years ago, you can hear that same energy and foundation.
With Pretty Solid, we just followed that thread naturally. We love grooves, we love melodies, and we love blending in the colors of jazz, funk, and soul. Some people might call that smooth jazz, but for us, the term contemporary jazz feels closer to what we’re about. It’s not so much a deliberate choice to avoid categories as it is staying true to our sound, which is all about feel, fun, and connection.
Thierry De Clemensat: The album includes original compositions from both of you, but also one from Bud Harner. How did you go about selecting the repertoire, and what drew you specifically to include a piece by Bud Harner?
Ron Pedley: Every song on Pretty Solid was written by John and me, and Bud was deeply involved as a co-writer throughout the entire process. Bud has produced all four of our Kombo albums, and over the years he’s become more than just a producer, he’s a true creative partner.
What makes Bud unique is the way he shapes the music as it’s being born. He has an incredible ear, and he’s constantly refining ideas with us in real time, from structure, to feel, to dynamics. So his name is on every track because his fingerprints are on every track. It’s less about one specific song, and more about his presence being woven into the whole fabric of the record. We feel lucky to have him in the room, because he’s got that rare balance of producer’s objectivity and musician’s soul.
Thierry De Clemensat: Jazz critics seem to be receiving the project very warmly. Do you sense that, thanks to albums like yours, the way jazz publications approach projects that aren’t strictly “straight-ahead jazz” is beginning to shift?
Ron Pedley: We’ve been really grateful for the warm reception Pretty Solid has gotten so far, it means a lot. I’ll be honest, I don’t spend a ton of time reading every jazz publication out there (maybe I should!), but what I do notice is that the audience for jazz today feels a lot broader and more open than ever.
As for straight-ahead jazz, John and I both came up through that tradition, and you really have to have that foundation if you want to play contemporary jazz with any depth. But our heart as Kombo has always leaned more toward the soulful, funky, melodic side of things. That’s our lane.
Do I sense a shift in how projects like ours are received? Maybe. It does feel like people are more willing to celebrate music that connects and grooves, even if it doesn’t fit neatly into one category. And if Pretty Solid plays even a small role in that, we’re honored.
Thierry De Clemensat: Let’s turn to the album title. Pretty Solid, is that meant as a reflection of your friendship and collaboration, or is there a hidden meaning behind the phrase?
John Pondel: You’ll hear players say things like, “That drummer is solid” or “That groove is solid” or tight. We seem to have found a good groove on this one so Pretty Solid seemed like a fitting title for Kombo’s fourth album. Of course, Ron, Bud and I have been playing and writing music for 40 years, but what I most value is the long friendship: people you can count on, whom you respect. I think it’s fair to say we’re Pretty Solid!
Thierry De Clemensat: Another key part of the album is the presence of guest artists. What guided your choices in inviting them, and how did you come to know these musicians?
Ron Pedley: The guest artists on this album aren’t really “guests” to us, they’re family. Gregg and Matt Bissonette have been with us on all three previous Kombo CDs, and honestly, why change a formula that feels so right? I go way back with them, we were in college together, and later we all played in Maynard Ferguson’s band. Those bonds run deep. When we get in the studio, it’s not just about laying down tracks; it’s about reconnecting as brothers in music.
This time around we also brought in David Rozenblatt on percussion. David and I tour together with Barry Manilow, and he brings such energy, color, and groove. Having him alongside Matt and Gregg added another layer of spark to the rhythm section.
When John was living on the West Coast, we were playing a lot more live gigs with Matt and Gregg, and that energy of four musicians in a room, feeding off each other, has always been at the heart of Kombo. Whether it’s on stage or in the studio, we chase that same feeling. And I think on Pretty Solid, that live vibe really comes across.
Thierry De Clemensat: Of course, a new release always brings with it the focus on concerts and promotion. But inevitably, musicians begin to look forward. Without giving away too many secrets, can you share whether another Kombo project might be on the horizon?
Ron Pedley & John Pondel: The new Kombo record is our 10th project, including six Uncle Festive albums. Somehow it never feels like the end – another record always seems inevitable. It’s just the way we make music together.
Thierry De Clemensat: Thank you both for taking the time to answer these questions.
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Musicians – Kombo:
Ron Pedley : Hammond B3, MiniMoog
John Pondel : Electric & acoustic guitar