Interview with Giuseppe Vasapolli: I would like jazz to be studied in junior high schools: Video

Jazz interview with a bad musicians, as if pianist Giuseppe Vasapolli and as if saxophonist Michele Mazzola. An interview by email in writing. Of these idiots, only the pianist answered the questions, but asked to write the name of the other idiot, we did not deny it either, but the meaning is unclear․

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

Giuseppe Vasapolli: – I grew up in a family of musicians. My grandmother was a classical pianist and she gave me my first music lessons. Then I attended the Conservatory of Palermo and there I began my studies in classical saxophone first and then jazz.

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

GV: – My sound has evolved based on the musicians I have listened to and studied. I’ve always tried to research a personal sound on the saxophone, but I honestly don’t know if I’ve succeeded yet. I think the search never ends.

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

GV: – Most of my practice is based on transcribing the musicians’ solos of the present and past. By analyzing the solos of the greatest, you find everything you need, harmonic, melodic and rhythmic ideas

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

GV: – You have to stay true to your musical ideas and seek your own style. It is essential in jazz music to take inspiration from other musicians, but it is equally important not to become copies.

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

GV: – Before every performance I always try to do a good warm-up. I try to connect with my instrument and with the music through long notes, scales and harmonics. This allows me to arrive well prepared for the concert.

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

GV: – In my music the soul counts more than the intellect. The intellect is important, but the soul is still more important.

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

GV: – It’s all a question of balance. I always try to find a compromise between what I want and what the public can like

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

GV: – The most important concert of my life was with the great Italian saxophonist Gianni Basso in 2005. There I realized that I would dedicate my life to jazz.

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

GV: – We need to involve young people to jazz concerts and make them feel the energy that is released. Only in this way will they begin to appreciate the beauty and all the potential of this music.

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

GV: – For me the meaning of life is love. You have to love what you do and transfer your passion and positive energy to people. Music helps me connect with people and that is very important for me.

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

GV: – If I could change anything, I would like jazz to be studied in junior high schools. The most influential music of our century should be studied in all schools. It is a priceless heritage.

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

GV: – As sax players i listen to a lot of Seamus Blake, Chris Potter and Kenny Garrett. But my reference is the pianist Brad Mehldau. An absolute genius.

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

GV: – I would like to bring a message of peace. I would like my music to give serenity to the people who listen to it.

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

GV: – I would like to go back to the 50s and relive that period of social and musical rebirth.

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

GV: – I would like to know how you felt while listening to our music?

JBN: – Very bad!!

Interview by Simon Sargsyan