Interview with Luigi Blasioli: At a certain point nothing is just a soul: Photos, Video

Jazz interview with jazz contrabassist Luigi Blasioli. An interview by email in writing. 

JazzBluesNews.Space: – First let’s start with where you grew up, and what got you interested in music?

Luigi Blasioli: – I grew up in the center of Italy in a small town. I am interested in music since childhood. I was very attracted to it.

JBN.S: – What got you interested in picking up the contrabass? What teacher or teachers helped you progress to the level of playing you have today? What made you choose the contrabass?

LB: – I chose the electric bass as the first instrument. Then I approached the double bass. I had many good teachers. In reality it was the double bass that chose me.

JBN.S: – How did your sound evolve over time? What did you do to find and develop your sound?

LB: – I have done a lot of research using continuous modifications and studying a lot.

JBN.S: – What practice routine or exercise have you developed to maintain and improve your current musical ability especially pertaining to rhythm?

LB: – I read a lot at first sight and transcribe the scores of great big music. This helps me a lot.

JBN.S: – Which harmonies and harmonic patterns do you prefer now? You’re playing is very sensitive, deft, it’s smooth, and I’d say you drift more toward harmony than dissonance. There is some dissonance there, but you use it judiciously. Is that a conscious decision or again, is it just an output of what goes in?

LB: – I love linear but modern harmonies. I use them decisively. I study and try them

JBN.S: – How to prevent disparate influences from coloring what you’re doing?

LB: – I believe that one must follow one’s own way by feeling the heart.

JBN.S: – What do you love most about your new album 2019: <Mestieri D’oltremare E Favole Di Jazz>, how it was formed and what you are working on today.

LB: – I really like the song “Giulia tra i cumoli in Accumoli”. I’m already working on a disk that I hope will be ready in 4 years.

JBN.S: – What’s the balance in music between intellect and soul?

LB: – In reality it mixes so much that it is difficult to answer. I believe that at a certain point nothing is just a soul.

JBN.S: – There’s a two-way relationship between audience and artist; you’re okay with giving the people what they want?

LB: – I think there is a relationship but, we must always give what we feel inside. People will understand it and will love it only if it is true.

JBN.S: – Please any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

LB: – In reality I have many. The most beautiful were in Rome Alexanderplatz Jazz club, Moscow Jam club, Paris Cave Du 38Riv ‘Jazz Club, B-Flat Jazz Club Berlin (DE).

JBN.S: – How can we get young people interested in jazz when most of the standard tunes are half a century old?

LB: – I think we have to convince artistic directors to involve more emerging and not just big musicians. Only in this way will the young get closer because they will also see opportunities to propose and listen to their peers.

JBN.S: – John Coltrane said that music was his spirit. How do you understand the spirit and the meaning of life?

LB: – I have traveled many roads despite my young age. The important thing for an artist is to read a lot, to learn about a bit of everything, to be curious, to raise the spiritual level.

JBN.S: – If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

LB: – People’s ears and I would attack them to their soul.

JBN.S: – Who do you find yourself listening to these days?

LB: – I’m listening to Charlie Haden now.

JBN.S: – What is the message you choose to bring through your music?

LB: – The stories, the stories that can open everyone’s eyes to make people understand that there are many realities and many important meetings in life. Life is a collection of material.

JBN.S: – Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go?

LB: – 1930/1940 in Harlem to see how jazz lived in that neighborhood.

JBN.S: – I have been asking you so far, now may I have a question from yourself…

LB: – Why did you choose me for these questions? What hit you on my record to address you?

JBN.S: – Thank you for answers …

JBN.S: – So putting that all together, how are you able to harness that now?

LB: – Anything. I recommend everyone to listen to my record with my heart. That’s all. Good day.

Interview by Simon Sargsyan