Interview with Strat Andriotis: Exits – Happiness and love! Video, new CD cover

Interview with guitarist Strat Andriotis. An interview by email in writing.

Jazz Blues News: – First, let’s start out with where you grew up, and what got you interested in music. How exactly did your adventure take off? When did you realize that this was a passion you could make a living out of?

Strat Andriotis: – I was born in Greece originally and moved to Hamilton Ontario Canada when I was 4 years old.I started to get interested in music at 10 when my parents enrolled me in Classical piano lessons. At 13 I switched to guitar and at 17 got interested in Jazz.

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

SA: – I usually practice 2 to 3 hours a day. I work on things that I’m not good at and try to master them in time which I find developed my style.

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

SA: – I am always changing and evolving. I don’t like to make the same album twice.

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

SA: – Basically by practicing physically and mentally.

JBN: – What do you love most about your new album 2025: STRAT ANDRIOTIS – Exits, how it was formed and what you are working on today.

SA: – I loved the exploration, improvising and interplay between the band members. Trio setting with lots of freedom. Just how I like it.

Buy from here – New CD 2025

JBN: – How did you select the musicians who play on the album?

SA: – Musicians that I have worked with previously and some referrals as well.

JBN: – What sort of feedback did you receive after it was released from musicians or your friends and family?

SA: – For the most part people really seemed to enjoy it .They had a hard time trying to find what it sounded like to them. Fresh sounding .

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

SA: – My favorite memories have always been from playing live and playing something you haven’t played before and it works in the content of the song on the spot.

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

SA: – You should be able to blend structure and melody without sounding contrived or obvious.

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

SA: – Always. That’s what you should be striving for all the time.

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

SA: – Get them to listen to these standards being played by a variety of artists and see how you can make them unique in your own way.

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

SA: – I think by trying to be a better person like being humane to people and kind, that it should carry over to your playing in some way.

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

SA: – I would like to see more musicians open to new concepts rather than playing it safe.

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

SA: – Joel Frahm.

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

SA: – It would be nice to play for audiences that appreciate what you are doing .

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

SA: – Happiness and love!

 

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

SA: – How do you like writing articles on musicians?

JBN: – Yes, of course․ Because Jazz and Blues are my life and are very much in my life.

JBN: – Have you ever given a free concert during your entire concert career? At the bottom line, what are your expectations from our interview?

SA: – I did do a charity concert for someone that was sick a few years ago. As far as expectations go I am happy that you were interested in my story and you can share that with your readers.

JBN: – Is there anything that we didn’t talk about that you’d like to discuss?

SA: – I think I covered it all.

Interview by Elléa Beauchêne

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