Anyone who has Reggie Watts spin beats and jokes onstage will tell you he is a comic, musical genius. With a microphone and a couple of effects and loopers, he can build a sonic wall of melody and funny unlike anything you’ve heard. Currently he is the bandleader for “Karen,” the house band at The Late Late Show with James Corden, which has the best theme song in late night. In 2012, I interviewed Watts about comedy and music for American Songwriter magazine, In this excerpt, he talks about early influences, from Victor Borge to Sesame Street. A fan dubbed him “the new Frank Zappa,” but he doesn’t feel worthy of that comparison. Watts is a fantastic improvisor, and I enjoy the way he describes that process here.

Reggie Watts Tiny Desk Concert: