Interview with an ungrateful, impolite, dull, unhuman, drawn creature, as if singer Sofia Hoffmann. An interview by email in writing. 

JazzBluesNews.com: – Please explain your creative process …

Sofia Hoffmann: – My creative process may start with a melody I hear I mentally hear and sing… which then develops into a song, or also with a specific topic about which I write as lyrics, and later, as music. It is really not straightforward and varies based on the kind of inspiration I experience. Normally when there is mental silence the inspiration arrives, and I just go with the flow!

OUR US/EU Jazz and Blues Festivals 2023

JBN: – What are your main impulses to write music?

SH: – Mostly spontaneous creative moments lead me to writing lyrics or composing music on my guitar or sitar. I also do It when I feel the need of exteriorizing feelings and processes I’m going through, as my own emotional process, and of sharing these emotions or messages with the others as an attempt connected through them, and that sharing them may be healing.

JBN: – When your first desire to become involved in the music was & what do you learn about yourself from music?

SH: – I have been involved in music as a semi-professional all my life, while performing and having a daytime job for years. I decided to quit my full-time job in 2018. I understood that I can’t simply live without music, and that singing and playing it for me and for an audience who wishes to receive it with an open heart, is what really makes me happy. I learnt a lot with the whole process.

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

SH: – When I improvise, I normally don’t know where I’m going! (laughing) Of course I do know it consciously before I hit the note, but I normally go with the flow and with the current inspiration. I obviously like to respect specific improvisation paths and structures, but musical freedom (within the music structure and basic rules) is the one developing into those directions you asked about, and these are decisions many times taken within microseconds.

There could be talk or advertising about your CD

JBN: – Do you ever get the feeling that music majors, and particularly people who are going into jazz, are being cranked out much like business majors? That they are not really able to express themselves as jazz musicians?

SH: – I know and deal with great artists and jazz musicians which experience both situations. And it also happened already to me – to have to perform according to a specific audience / show concept. It really depends on the kind of recorded or live performance you’re offering and if the respective industry is accepting it. E.g. radios are normally quite selective in regards the music type and piece structure / duration, etc. On the other hand, I do believe that there is room for everyone in the industry, but it is sometimes challenging to find the right match between the artist and the exposure platform.

JBN: – What about somebody who is really gifted and puts together a band and just gets upset to the point of quitting because of the business aspects-the agents and the clubs?

SH: – It’s a fine line, the one between total artistic freedom, and being able to make a living out of it in such a competitive and business / marketing oriented environment, especially after a pandemic period in which there was a major “shut down” in terms of live performances, which are the main source of income for most of the artist on a worldwide level.

JBN: – What has given you the most satisfaction musically?

SH: – Whenever someone who listens to my music and voice thanks me for having delivered comfort, peace, some emotional healing, and happiness, I feel immensely grateful and (re)boosted to continue my artistic work.

JBN: – From the musical and feeling point of view is there any difference between an old and great jazzmans and young?

SH: – I believe that the social context in which jazz musicians (or any kind of musician or artist) create is highly important and is reflected in the music quality and delivered messages. The other day I watched a great documentary about the Blue Note Records, and it was remarkable to see and listen to the evolution of jazz sub-gernes, based on the society’s geographical and economical conditionings. The rhythm, the melodic arrangements, the vibes… the emotions which are being translated into the music, that all changes according to the moment we experience while writing it. The great jazz musicians who started it were basically the source and “designed” the base, with all the authenticity. As decades passed, new outstanding artists also developed their own music personalities but at the end of the day, they all heard the great masters and learnt from them. Got inspired by them.

JBN: – What advice would you give to aspiring musicians thinking of pursuing a career?

SH: – Work hard, believe in the power of music and in yourself. Create your differentiation and uniqueness and most of all, be authentic as an artist while sharing your message through music and words with the audience.

OUR US/EU Jazz and Blues Association 2023

JBN: – Do You like our questions? So far, it’s been me asking you questions, now may I have a question from yourself…

SH: – Sure, great questions! My question to you: how would you define, or which characteristics, should a great artist have?

JBN: – A good musician must first of all be a good and good-willed person, whether a woman or a man, there is no difference. And it is very important that he knows how to work with the media, appreciates the work, especially when that media is the organizer of many festivals and concert series in Europe and the United States.

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/