Lucky or cursed? Kyle Eastwood says he’s happy being Clint’s son. Rather than stand in the great actor and director’s shadow, he’s been able to shine on his own — as a jazz bassist and band leader.
You may have even heard his film scores for his dad’s “Gran Torino” and “Invictus.” Or perhaps you’ve seen him: He played (uncredited) Josey’s son in the 1976 flick “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” and also appeared in “Honkytonk Man” and “The Bridges of Madison County.”
Now 43, he lives in France, where he recorded his fifth record, “Songs From the Chateau,” out today. He’ll play a homecoming tour in the US, stopping Sept. 19 at venerable Village jazz shrine the Blue Note.
Speaking from Paris, Eastwood told The Post he was looking forward to coming to New York — his old stomping ground.
“I lived in the city for almost seven years, and I love almost everything about it,” he says. “Except I don’t miss having to get onto a crowded subway car with my [double] bass and a small amp.”
Here’s what else he told us.
Post: What were the good New York memories?
Eastwood: I used to live near the old Knitting Factory in TriBeCa. [My roommates and I] were a little closer to the Chinatown side, so everybody called it ChiBeCa — a great place for food, music and fun. That’s why the Blue Note feels so comfortable a fit. After the show I’ll probably take a detour to the East Village for some Two Boots pizza — the “Cleopatra Jones” is one of my favorites.
Do you think your father — who makes no secret of his passion for jazz — envies you?
My dad would have been jealous of my life when he was in his 20s. He really wanted to be a piano player — he loves music, and jazz in particular — but he found himself with acting.
In college, you started as a film student. What happened?
I probably started that because of dad, but I was drawn to music. That’s what I really loved, and eventually I dropped out to pursue it, and he understood.
Has he ever said you made the right decision?
I know he’s happy for me, and it’s been really great that we’ve gotten to work together writing music for his projects.
Do you recall the first song you played together?
Oh, yeah. It was a Fats Waller boogie-woogie thing, and we were at the piano. He taught me the left-hand part — you know, the bass part — and he played the melody with his right hand. I was probably 6 or 7 at the time, and it was a real bonding experience for us.
Do your jazz colleagues ever tease you about having such a famous father?
Sure, here and there, but it’s usually good-natured ribbing — nothing harsh. When I was living in LA, I played with Herbie Hancock a few times, and he never said anything like, “Hey, Kyle, make my day,” or anything like that. But I did think he wanted to get involved in movies.
Don’t you get tired of it?
Listen, when you’re related to someone like Clint Eastwood, people are always going to be curious, and you get used to it. The one question I always get and never know how to answer is, “What’s it like being his son?” I never know what to say — there’s nothing to compare it to, he’s my dad and he’s the only dad I’ve ever known.
The Music Reviews column will return next week.