Interview with an untrained singer Dan Olivo. 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. 

Dan Olivo։ – I am born, raised and still reside in Eagle Rock which is a small suburb in Los Angeles, CA. I began my love of music when I started playing saxophone at Eagle Rock Jr & Sr High School. I eventually became apart of the nationally recognized jazz program there where we competed and performed all over Southern California. At the
About 12 years ago I approached Ian about forming a jazz group that spealizes in jazz standards and The Great American Songbook.

OUR US/EU Jazz and Blues Festivals 2023

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

DO: – I am very commited to The Great American Songbook. But as my musical heroes like Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr., Nat Cole, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin and Michael Buble’ have, I also like to expand into other area of music like pop, rock, country international music.

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

DO: – I do a lot of listening. If I’m learning a new song and or arrangement the key for me is repetition. Practice, practice, practice. Singing it over and over again till the song becomes mine. Being an actor myself I approach music like I’m a character telling a story. What do I want to say?

JBN: – Have you changed through the years? Any charges or overall evolution? And if so why?

DO: – I’ve changed in the simple evolution of simply getting better and learning new techniques and challenging myself to try new things I’d normally wouldn’t think to do. I really love adding great songs to my sets that aren’t very popular or haven’t been discovered for whatever reason. There are so many great songs out there from these great songwriters like Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Jules Styne, Lennon & Mc Cartney etc etc etc. that have not been as popular as some of thier bigger hits but are still great songs.

There could be talk or advertising about your CD

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

DO: – I believe intellect and soul work together in unison. Can’t have one without the other. You can be the greatest technical singer in the world but unless there is some feeling or emotion in what you are singing then it’s something I’m interested in. I want an artist in any genre to be invested in what they are doing but have the ability to make it seem effortless. That’s what impresses me in taking in any art.

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

DO: – Yes. I have to. And hopefully my emotion comes across to them.

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

DO: – We are fortunate to have artist like Harry Connick Jr. and Michael Bublé for bringing this genre to a younger audience. I hope in someway I am doing the same.

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

DO: – Music like no other art form can trigger happy or sad emotions, create new or recall memories. Music is life. Life is happy and it’s sad.

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

DO: – It is very difficult for most artist and musicians to make a living solely on thier art. The music business in particular is designed to make it difficult for independent artist to make money. That needs to change.

OUR US/EU Jazz and Blues Festivals 2023

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

DO: – Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble’, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles and many independent local  artist.

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

DO: – I’d love to take my daughter Ava, my brother and his daughters with me back in time so they could all meet thier grandparents and so me and my brother could all enjoy them all together for at least a few moments.

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/