Interview with jazz drummer Ben Freidkin. 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.  How exactly did your adventure take off? 

Ben Freidkin: – Big question! I grew up in Herzliya, Israel. Ever since I was born music has been around me. My parents are classical music fans and have made sure to take me to concerts from a young age. I also used to have a Russian babysitter who exposed me to Russian music. I remember riding buses and taking taxis and hearing Mizrahi music, which was becoming really popular at the time. When I was 6 years old I started playing classical piano. When I was 10 years old I started listening to hip hop. When I was 14 years old I started drumming and got into funk and fusion. When I was 18 years old I had a friend who got me into rock, I later joined a rock band. When I was 21 I went to music school and started getting deep into bebop and modern jazz and then later into Brazilian and Cuban music.

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At first music was a hobby for me. At ages 18 and 21 I had to make some choices and I just couldn’t let it go. Without noticing it became the most important thing in my life that I’m most passionate about and brings me the most joy.

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

BF: – I started playing on electronic drums and have been playing them for the first 4 years as a drummer. Those were made of plastic so obviously when I got a real drum set I had a lot of adapting to do. Also, I used to play rock and funk which are relatively louder genres and when I started studying jazz I had to learn to play in an acoustic environment, that is, softer. With each new drummer or artist that inspire me I feel like my sound changes and evolves. I feel like as much as I try to sound like others I still sound like myself so I don’t put too much effort into trying to sound like myself.

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

BF: – When I comes to composition the piano is my main instrument. I find it most helpful to learn and study pieces of music that I like. In the past 2 years I’ve transcribed more than 30 pieces that I like and tried to learn from each one and incorporate elements from it in my own writing.

When it comes to rhythm and drums that’s a very long answer to give and a very long and deep journey that I’m on. I might publish some material on it in the near future so stay tuned.

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

BF: – That’s a hard one. I think there is no 1 right answer. Different people have their own balance and there is enough room in the world for all types of music. It also depends on the mood; sometimes I’m drawn more towards the intellectual side of music and sometimes more towards the soulful one.

JBN: – There’s a two-way relationship between audience and artist; are you okay with delivering people the emotion they long for?

BF: – I don’t feel like I’m good at delivering an emotion on demand. I’m trying to get better at expressing myself which might mean a different emotion depending on how I’m feeling at the moment. People who care about expression will hopefully enjoy my show.

OUR US/EU Jazz and Blues Festivals 2023

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

BF: – In the past week or two I’ve been going back and listening to Chick Corea and Kenny Garrett records that I love. Both artists are a huge source of inspiration for me.

Interview by Simon Sarg

Note: https://jazzbluesnews.com/2023/03/19/useu-jazz-blues-association-festivals/ You can express your consent and join our association, which will give you the opportunity to perform at our Jazz and Blues festivals, naturally receiving an appropriate royalty. We cover all expenses. The objectives of the interview are: How to introduce yourself, your activities, thoughts and intellect, and make new discoveries for our US/EU Jazz & Blues Association, which organizes festivals, concerts and meetings in Boston and various European countries, why not for you too!! You can read more about the association here. https://jazzbluesnews.com/2022/11/19/useujba/