At 63, Flea finally becomes the jazz musician he always dreamed of being

by

As a total film buff, I recently learned something fascinating about Flea – you know, the bassist from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Apparently, when he was a kid, he was absolutely obsessed with the trumpet. It wasn’t just a hobby, it was a full-on love affair! He was completely captivated by it.

He recalled setting the instrument down on his bed and briefly leaving the room, only to return and admire it. It seemed to glow with potential, a tool for both freedom and creativity that he was eager to discover.

Flea looks back on his childhood as chaotic and lacking self-control. He says despite being ‘wild’ and unfocused, he enjoyed his freedom. This early period eventually led him to jazz music and his first solo album, ‘Honora,’ which prominently features the trumpet and comes out this Friday. He describes the journey as challenging at times, but ultimately worthwhile.

It’s striking to see him back in a place designed to support children like he once was. The Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which he helped start in 2001, was filled with its usual cheerful sounds on this pleasant spring day. After walking through the school, seeing playful toddlers and their mothers enjoying a music class, we found a classroom filled with guitars, drums, and music-themed whiteboards to talk about his current project.

Before the interview began, Flea took a moment to center himself with deep breaths and closed eyes, and I joined him in this brief meditation. He explained that when he first started playing the trumpet, he hadn’t practiced enough to become truly skilled, but he was captivated by the instrument’s beauty. This created a constant desire to improve his sound, and it became a defining part of who he was – ‘Mikey, the trumpet player.’ He added that as a shy and unusual child, playing the trumpet gave him some recognition before he switched to bass.

Flea, the bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is now celebrated as a world-class musician. He formed the band with friends from high school in Los Angeles in the 1980s. However, after more than 40 years of recording, touring, and promoting the hugely successful group, he’s had little opportunity to pursue a long-held childhood dream.

He never truly let it go, always feeling a pull to revisit it. He’d occasionally indulge – usually alone in a hotel room while on tour with the Peppers, seeking a way to cope with heartbreak or simply enjoy some rare downtime.

Even though he was a famous rock star, playing the trumpet made him feel inadequate, and he doubted he could ever master it.

He admits he’d struggle with the trumpet, finding it much more challenging than the bass. The bass is forgiving – you can put it down and pick it up again without losing your ability. The trumpet, however, requires weeks of practice just to get a good sound, and then there’s the complex music theory to learn, like diminished scales and how they fit into chord progressions and key changes. He’s currently focusing on the intellectual side of music and the necessary practice, but realizes it also demands a strong sound and physical skill.

Around three years ago, as he approached his 60th birthday, he felt inspired by the innovative energy of Los Angeles jazz artists like Kamasi Washington and Thundercat. This led him to return to his original passion for music with a fresh perspective.

He describes the music as capturing the energy of the streets – you can almost feel, taste, and hear it. For a while, he felt jazz had become too focused on technical skill. It sounded like musicians were just showing off what they’d learned in school, but it lacked emotion. He wanted music that would truly move him – something that would make him feel alive and express a full range of emotions, like joy, sadness, or excitement.

This time felt different. Inspired by the energy of younger jazz musicians, he made a firm decision to truly master the trumpet. He explains, “I’ve always dreamed of being a skilled musician and creating complete, meaningful music with it.” He committed to practicing every day for two years, with the goal of recording an album showcasing his progress.

Flea’s new release is a bold mix of original songs and covers, showcasing his incredible skill on both trumpet and bass, as well as his diverse musical interests. The album also features impressive collaborations, including contributions and vocals from Thom Yorke of Radiohead (a former collaborator in Atoms for Peace) and Nick Cave.

Talented musicians Josh Johnson on saxophone, Jeff Parker on guitar, Anna Butterss on bass, and Deantoni Parks on drums add their skills to the project, creating a range of feelings while still keeping a consistently energetic and lively sound.

×

His first single, “A Plea,” released in December, immediately showcased the direction of his new music. It blends experimental rhythms with energetic, upbeat sounds and chants, creating a hopeful and celebratory feel—a welcome contrast to the negativity often found in current news cycles.

What really strikes me about this song is how much Flea cares – about fairness for everyone, about protecting our planet, and about standing up for those who are hurting. He’s really trying to make sense of everything happening in the world, and it feels so genuine. What bothers him, and honestly me too, is all the pointless arguing online – it’s just people trying to one-up each other and make each other feel bad. He believes, and I completely agree, that if we want to move forward and actually help people, we need to find a way to connect with love. It’s the only thing that will truly make a difference, and it’s a beautiful message, especially with his daughter Clara’s incredible work bringing it to life through dance and visuals.

What I love about this album is how it brings everyone together through music. Flea really celebrates all sorts of genres! He pays tribute to so many artists – there’s this amazing, psychedelic take on George Clinton and Eddie Hazel’s “Maggot Brain,” and then a gorgeous version of Jimmy Webb’s “Witchita Lineman” sung by Nick Cave that honestly makes me wish I could see that performed live. He even does an instrumental cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You” from Channel Orange that’s just beautiful and really gets to you.

Even though music enthusiasts will appreciate the complex mix of sounds and the many artists involved – especially considering it’s a jazz album – it’s clear Flea created this record in a natural and authentic way. Titled “Honora,” after his great-great-grandmother and featuring a beautiful old photo of his mother-in-law on the cover, the album is deeply personal and expressive. However, it’s also enjoyable for anyone who appreciates strong rhythms, playful tunes, and a sense of musical exploration.

It’s amazing to hear how this project evolved! It began as something Flea was doing on his own, but it quickly turned into a really beautiful group effort. He actually didn’t plan on having any singers at all! But he says while he was working in the studio, he just kept thinking about certain artists and friends, and it felt right to include them. It’s cool how he trusted his instincts!

When he wrote “Traffic Lights,” his first thought was Thom Yorke. He felt Yorke would appreciate the song, as it fit his style. While working on it with Josh, they wondered if Yorke might be interested in singing on the track. He immediately agreed, and, as the artist notes, Yorke always delivers beautifully.

Flea always seems enthusiastic and playful, but his latest work, “Honora,” also shows a thoughtful side that will resonate with fans who have followed his career. At 63, he’s pursuing personal goals – like finally becoming proficient at an instrument he started as a child – and experimenting with new, more complex sounds, moving beyond the energetic funk-punk of Red Hot Chili Peppers. It’s something many of us would likely do with similar dedication, opportunity, and experience gained over a lifetime, often through hard work.

His popular 2019 memoir, “Acid for the Children,” helps explain his current outlook on life. The book vividly and honestly recalls his childhood in Australia, New York, and Los Angeles, detailing a difficult home life that led him to music and drug use. His stepfather, jazz bassist Walter Urban Jr., was emotionally abusive, yet he also introduced young Nick Cave to jazz, even hosting lively jam sessions at home.

He describes his childhood home as frightening. He recently realized that his anxiety about playing jazz trumpet stemmed from a fear of being judged by jazz musicians. This fear came from growing up with his stepfather and his friends, who often dismissed rock music and musicians as inferior. As a rebellious teenager, this led him to reject the trumpet and instead choose the bass.

He now understands he was dealing with deep-rooted emotions from his childhood, and that much of his past wild behavior stemmed from a search for belonging and connection. He’s found that sense of community as a father to his three children: Clara, 37, and Sunny Bebop, 20, from previous relationships, and his 3-year-old son, Darius, with his wife, Melody Ehsani, who was pregnant when he rediscovered his passion for the trumpet. He gives Melody credit for bringing much-needed stability to his life, allowing him to focus on his work.

Flea’s new autobiography, “Honora,” reflects a mature perspective, but fans will always remember his wild stage presence and the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ energetic early performances in Los Angeles – often featuring outlandish costumes or barely-there outfits. A new Netflix documentary, “The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel,” recently premiered, detailing the band’s often-turbulent history. However, the band has publicly stated they weren’t involved in the film’s creative process, despite contributing interviews. The documentary focuses on founding member Hillel Slovak, who tragically passed away from a drug overdose before the band achieved widespread fame.

Flea says the Red Hot Chili Peppers – including himself, Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante, and Chad Smith – have discussed making a documentary about their history, but they aren’t planning one right now. He explains that they’ve always been focused on making music and moving forward, so looking back feels odd to them. It’s a topic that occasionally comes up in conversation, though.

He shared that the band has been creating new music even while he’s been focused on his solo work. He says his bandmates are understanding and supportive, happy for him to pursue his own projects. After years of intense work with the Chili Peppers, everyone appreciates having time for other interests and aspects of their lives.

He’s currently thriving at music school, enjoying time with family and collaborating with gifted friends. Despite his success, he continues to challenge himself with the trumpet, practicing and writing music every day. He hints at a follow-up to his album, “Honora,” as he didn’t include all his material on it. Even with personal difficulties, his debut album is a lively and engaging listen, showcasing his remarkable musical talent and passion. It’s both natural and motivating, and he’ll be performing it live starting in May.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Flea emphasized the importance of trusting your gut. He believes everyone has strong instincts, but often people look to others for approval instead of relying on their own intuition. Now, he trusts his instincts completely and is committed to being authentic, refusing to let anything hold him back from being himself.

Read More

2026-03-26 00:02