Interview with Magnus Lindgren։ The chorus pedal on the guitar։ Video

Jazz interview with jazz music director, but bum, a bad musician, as if tenor saxophonist Magnus Lindgren․ He is earned himself some pitiful titles, but the poor man has two dead youtube pages and no proper video․ An interview by email in writing.

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

Magnus Lindgren։ – I grew up In Västerås, Sweden. 1 hours outside Stockholm. A city with a strong music culture.

JBN։ – How has your sound evolved over time? What have you been doing to find and develop your own sound?

ML: – I try to have a relaxed and honest approach to music. The fact that it’s not only about me,  we create music together. That makes me cool and can enjoy much more. I enjoy the moment on stage much more for every year. Something to never take for granted, very clear these covid years. I also been more mature in that sence that I believe more on my ideas and the sound I wanna reach.

JBN։ – What routine practices or exercises have you developed to maintain and improve your current musical proficiency, in terms of both rhythm and harmony?

ML: – For me the timing, or I could call it the flow, is essential. So to play free but in time with a drummer or a groove is something I always come back to. But I practice regularly how to play on chord and changes. Maybe I record some progression on the piano and then I play along.

JBN։ – How do you keep stray, or random, musical influences from diverting you from what you’re doing?

ML: – Well, I actually like random or unexpected influences. So I welcome that.

JBN։ – How do you prepare for your recordings and performances to help you maintain both spiritual and musical stamina?

ML: – Good question. If I’m in a big concert hall, I love to have a moment before the show when it’s totally empty, breathing and really take in the whole atmosphere. That’s so cool. To be musical prepared is a very good thing. That makes you safe, but not to that degree so you have to be stuck with what was meant to be. It should always be space for the unexpected. That’s jazz for me.

There could be talk or advertising about your CD

JBN։ – In your opinion, what’s the balance in music between intellect and soul?

ML: – Good question. I like when music can deliver a feeling without knowing why. Sometimes when I listen to my favourite arrangers for Big Band, I can analyse why I actually like  it. I know mostly what kind of voicings I love. The balance maybe has to do with taste.

JBN։ – Can you share any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions over the years?

ML: – A lot of enthusiastic people in the audience on each concert. This is a big memory.

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

ML: – How can young people get interested in Mozart and Bach that are a couple of hundred years old. Jazz is still young compared to that. But to be proud of the tradition of jazz but also have a foot in the future. Which I think is often the case. So I think many young people do get interested in jazz. To welcome the balance to use your words, intellectual and soul. Thats good.

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

ML: – The fact that we don’t live forever. To have the opportunity to perform jazz on stage in front of people is strong. And to not be able that feel the spiritual moments would be a waste of time having in mind that life is short.

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

ML: – The chorus pedal on the guitar.

JBN։ – Whom do you find yourself listening to these days?

ML: – I was listening to traditional Colombian Christmas songs with my soon 2 year old daughter.

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

ML: – Inspiration, presence, open mind, peace and just joy.

JBN։ – Let’s take a trip with a time machine: where and why would you really want to go?

ML: – To the 50:s, to meet Bird, Charli Parker.

JBN։ – So far, it’s been me asking you questions, now may I have a question from yourself…

ML: – I really think you had great questions. Are you a musician yourself? And how do you think jazz could attract youg people?

JBN։ – I am a musicologist, jazz expert, jazz critic. Jazz appeals to the youth, maybe not to you. At all the jazz festivals I have organized in Eastern European countries, there is no shortage of spectators and among them young people. That’s why you should invest in the work you love so much, cooperate with the media, not invent titles and declare yourself a talented director.

JBN։ – At the bottom line, what are your expectations from our interview?

ML: – In general I don’t like expectations, but I’m honored to reach out more with the music we love. So thank you for that and for what you do.