Way back in the '50s, writer Whitney Balliet described jazz as “the sound of surprise,” but in the jazz world today, “surprise” is sometimes the missing element. Linda Oh, a relative newcomer on the bass scene, personifies Balliet’s description with her clever improvisation, solid technique, rhythmic adventurousness, and compelling group concept— musical surprises abound. In 2009, her self-produced debut album, Entry [Linda Oh Music] caught the ears of the jazz cognoscenti.

Oh is of Chinese descent, born in Malaysia, raised in Australia, and now makes her home in New York City. She is a double threat—comfortable on electric as well as acoustic bass. She maintains a rigorous touring schedule as both bandleader and side musician, and I caught up with Linda in the middle of her current European tour. She graces us with her thoughts about the Dalai Lama, Tina Fey, and her innovative ideas for the next recording project. You can catch up with Linda Oh on her website at www.lindaohmusic.com

What is your idea of a perfect gig?
A gig where everyone is happy—musicians, audience, club owners, the sound is great, and the audience is having fun or being moved in some way.

Which of your instruments would you refuse to sell, and why?
My Pfretzschner upright bass—it’s the perfect fit for me.

If you could transform yourself into any other musician for just one day, who would it be?
Probably Donny Hathaway because to be the musician he was you’d have to feel some deep emotions. Runners up would be Hermeto Pascoal, Björk, the Shaggs, Pino Palladino, or Squarepusher.

What is your third all-time favorite record, and why?
I don’t think I have an all-time favorite record, so essentially I think I have a bunch of third favorite records—stuff that I always go back to like Blood Sugar Sex Magik (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Rosa (Rosa Passos), Plantation Lullabies (Meshell Ndegeocello), and The Soothsayer (Wayne Shorter), plus the string quartets from Ravel and Debussy.

If you had never picked up a bass in your life, what would your day job be?
A doctor, or a linguist. I always joke about being a sherpa, but you know, I saw a documentary about female sherpas—incredible.

When was the music business nasty to you?
I set up a trio tour in Australia and the night before one of the gigs, I found out that the promoter had mixed up the dates and had double booked several rock bands. I never heard from that guy again, and never got reimbursed, but the wonderful people at the Australian National University set up an impromptu concert that was actually one of the best gigs we played. The music business is tough and I feel like I’m always learning more about issues like illegal downloading, the power of jazz journalists, and of people within the business who we give CDs to—some journalists, venue owners—who then sell our promo CDs on Amazon as “used.”

Who are your heroes?
Everyone from the Dalai Lama, Wes Anderson (the filmmaker), and Tina Fey, to Uri Caine, Ray Brown and my two older sisters. So many of my peers are my heroes for being just amazing people: my mentor in life Greg Cohen, my teachers John Riley and Paul Pooley, the musicians from Perth, and everyone I’ve ever met who has inspired me to work hard, be a better person and who strives to change things for the better.

What was your most recent big mistake?
Being too hard on myself for making a mistake.

What is your goal for the coming year?
To stay zen throughout the manic life of a musician—a life-long goal—and to be able to speak fluent Mandarin! I want to get my next project recorded and performed—a string quartet with jazz quartet designed for the audience to hear the sound from all angles through the use of 5.1 surround mixing.