Interview with pianist Ivo Neame. An interview by email in writing. This is one of our rejected interviews, which we publish with a lot of cuts, just for fun, so that, as you know, every next day there will be something in the series of publications for 11 years.

Dear readers, get to know more about our US/EU Jazz – Blues Festivals and the activities of our US/EU Jazz – Blues Association in the capitals of Europe, we will soon publish this program for 2024, enjoy the summer. Ivo Neame is an interesting musician, but unfortunately he is arrogant and puffy ․․․

JazzBluesNews.com: – Please explain your creative process …

Ivo Neame: – My creative process is to evolve as a human being and reflect who I am as a person through my art.

OUR US/EU Jazz and Blues Festivals 2023

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

IN: – It’s what gets me out of bed in the morning. When I was kid it was always been my dream to play music all over the world. I’ve been fortunate to realise that dream in my life.
What do you personally consider to be the incisive moments and pieces in your work and/or career?

JBN: – Before we jump into anything historical, can you tell us about what we can expect musically this evening?

IN: – Improvisation.

JBN: – Are there sub-genres within the jazz field that you tend to stay away from or focus on?

IN: – Not really – I’m more drawn to acoustic music these days but I don’t rule anything out.

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

IN: – I was 4 or 5 years old and was making drum kits out of biscuit tins in my Mum’s kitchen. I learn the need to be more patient from music – this is the amazing thing about it. It teaches you to evolve as a human being.

JBN: – How would you describe and rate the music scene you are currently living?

IN: – The players in the UK are great – there’s loads going on. It would be good to play in Europe more with my quartet. Hopefully there will be opportunities.

There could be talk or advertising about your CD

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

IN: – Yes – although if it takes unexpected twists it’s always satisfying. I sometimes look for those things – to try to keep things fresh.

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?

IN: – Ha – that’s a contentious issue! The scene is different from in the past. Perhaps there are more people who drink mineral water and do weights in the gym now than there were in the bad old days! It’s hard to find your own voice but that’s always been true. I don’t think it’s fair to say that current jazz musicians are not really able to express themselves though.

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

IN: – I love large ensemble projects. It feels like a brilliant culmination of a huge amount of effort and time – it’s always special to involve so many great different musicians.

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

IN: – Older people play less notes perhaps!? That’s probably not true. The energy is different – that doesn’t necessarily make one or the other any better.

OUR US/EU Jazz and Blues Association 2023

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

IN: – I would advise people to get their lives together as much as possible and to be patient. It’s also important to manage expectations – the live music scene is a very complicated ecosystem.

JBN: – Do You like our questions?

IN: – They’re OK!

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Interview by Emmanuel Bolton