Interview in English on JAZZESPRESSO Network:
- what made you desire to be a jazz drummer?
What keeps alive my desire to be a jazz drummer is to feel the impact that the drums have in the music. I feel that my instrument is the band. By playing the drums I can define the character of the music just like an orchestra conductor but in a much more direct and powerful way.
Once the drummer assumes this responsibility everything you chose to play or not play, how you play it and the reasons for the choice you make give meaning to your music. Music can be very meaningful and it changes the world everyday
- what is jazz today in your opinion?
Jazz is many things. For me is a way of living. A network of musicians, music lovers, promotors, and professionals related to the performance art world who today live in a world where national, racial and religious identities are completely obsolete. this spirit of freedom and humanity united in music has been part of the essence of this music from the very beginnings.
Every day I discover an amazing performer from one of the great masters that I have listened all my life, or buy some great old master I wasn’t aware of, or by some new talented musician in the scene.
Besides the infinite wealth of inspiring beautiful music that this tradition has given to humanity and now thanks to internet is available to millions of people, the Jazz community can be great source of inspiration in order to create the post capitalist culture that humanity needs in order to survive.
It’s very hard to be a good Jazz musician and be a retrograde… it happens but it is very very exceptional.
Great jazz musicians have great social skills and a developed humanity. This values if shared will save us.
- How did you choose, arrange and write songs; and how do you choose the musicians you play with ?
This is a very important question. I don’t like being on stage playing something that I don’t believe in. Sometimes you fall in love with a piece of music, sometimes you are intrigued by a tune and you are compelled to explore it, I write without the instrument most of the time and without thinking to much ahead, nearly like an improvisation, put some sounds and ideas on the page, (I write with pencil) then I try to understand what is on the page and learn how to play it. I arrange it according to the band I need to play the music with. Try to be aware of the capabilities and limitations of the instruments and the instrumentalist that will play the music. Choosing who to play with is probably the moist important thing in anyones music development. Choosing who to spend time with is the most important choice for any human being. Time is really all we have, and it’s limited. There is so many great people, so well meaning, intelligent and generous that I can have the privilege of their presence in my life if I try to be fully awake and helpful to them. I treasure this relationships over everything else in life. Also I’ve learned to stay away from narcissist and immature characters, I have no time for that. I try to help them if they ask for help but if I feel they just want to use me as they use everyone I disappear quite fast…
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