Interview with Nils Wogram: My compositions help me to express that: Video, New CD cover

Jazz interview with jazz trombonist Nils Wogram. An interview by email in writing. 

JazzBluesNews.com: – When you improvise, you know where you’re going. It’s a matter of taking certain paths and certain directions?

Nils Wogram: – It depends on the context. With free improvisation I never have any plan where things are going.

On my solo album Bright Lights I am playing tunes and each section has certain musical material, harmonics or rhythms which I improvise with. So these things are kind of pr-planed but still improvised.

JBN: – How do you prepare before your performances to help you maintain both spiritual and musical stamina?

NW: – I have routine exercises to keep my body and playing in good condition. That is almost the same as a sports man. When I feel in good shape playing my instrument ins easy and ideas can come out in a natural and relaxed way. To be inspired I simply try to be in the moment of the music and spantaneous. I also try to be concentrated on the music and not on any other detail around me that could distract me. To be mentaly prepared also means to prepare the music well so I don`t struggle with any technical or any other musical detail. The rest is the moment itself.

JBN: – What do you love most about your new album 2020: <Bright Lights>, how it was formed and what you are working on today.

NW: – What I was trying to achieve was music that feels freah and organic. Music that is fun to listen to and inspires my fans. I also wanted to have references to other solo trombone recordings but still make it my own. Things that I like about that album: the pure sound of the trombone, the harmonics you can hear with the multiphonics (voice and trombone simultaneously), the call and respose vibe and the groove moments.

JBN: – Ism is culled from a variety of lives dates with various performers over the course of a few years. Did your sound evolve during that time? And how did you select the musicians who play on the album?

NW: – It is a solo album so I did only practice alone. When I did that it was like a meditation and really helped me developing my music and solo playing.

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

NW: – I think music should be inspiring. That can be achieved through many things. I want the listener to enjoy my music but that does not mean it can never be dissonant or somehwo demanding. I am looking for a nice balance. In the end I play that music not just for myself but for my audience. Nevertheless my music can only be original and true when I concentrate on the music itself and not how I think my audience will like it.

JBN: – How important is it to you to have an original approach? Can you comment on the bridge between being a musician and being a composer?

NW: – I think it is more important to be personal. I play stuff that I like and let it go through my individual filter. I try not to copy but if things happen to sound close to something else I don`t mind. It is my taste afterall and as long as it is not just an imitation it is fine. One can not try to be original. One can only be oneself. I am trying to get closer to what I am as a human beeing and an artist. My compositions help me to express that. By composing a song I find a space to express my musical vision. It also helps me to not think to much about my instrument. Most of the time I compose away from the trombone. In the case of Bright Lights that was only partly the case because it is very much about the instrument itself.

JBN: – Do you have an idea of what it is you’re trying to say or get across? Is it an idea or is it just something that we feel?

NW: – I think an artist produces stuff in order to find out what his/her own voice and own beeing is. And also to be heared by others and comunicate with them. I personally want to bring joy to my audience. A joy that is deeper than simply beeing accessible and easy to consume. A joy that takes you further.

Interview by Simon Sargsyan