Terry Gross

So I want to play some more music from your new album, Honora.

And this is called Morning Cry.

And it's the track that's like most obviously jazz.

You know, it's not like influenced by jazz.

It's not jazz and funk or jazz and something.

It's just jazz.

And it sounds to me, tell me if I'm wrong, very influenced by Ornette Coleman.

Do you want to say anything by way of introduction of the song and how you wrote it?

Okay, so let's hear Morning Cry from Flea's new album, Honora.

That was Morning Cry from Flea's new album, Honora.

We need to take a short break here.

So my guest is Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but after recording, I don't know, around 14 albums with the Chili Peppers, this is his first solo album.

We'll be right back.

This is Fresh Air.

You started playing trumpet as a child, and then you kind of gave up trumpet more or less for the bass after the Red Hot Chili Peppers formed.

Your stepfather was a jazz musician, and he played bass.

Tell us about the music that he played.

I know it was jazz, but what kind of jazz?

What's some of the music that your father and his friends introduced you to?

You describe it like it was punk rock.