Interview with Massimo Farao: Jazz has many different colours: Video

Jazz interview with jazz pianist and composer Massimo Faraò. An interview by email in writing.

JazzBluesNews.com: – First let’s start with where you grew up, and what got you interested in music?

Massimo Farao: – I start around 14 with classical training but i wasn’t really into it.then i found in Genova an elevate teacher Flavio Crivelli that showed me the right way.this gentleman had study with arturo benedetti michelangeli!!!

JBN: – How did your sound evolve over time? What did you do to find and develop your sound?

MF: – I worked for a long time specially listening at my heroes like red garland and wynton kelly.also gene harris.of coourse i love all the other greats but these 3 are very special to me.

JBN: – What practice routine or exercise have you developed to maintain and improve your current musical ability especially pertaining to rhythm?

MF: – Practice as much i can when is possible.workin on timing for me is so important i learned        from the great musicins i played with…

JBN: – How to prevent disparate influences from coloring what you’re doing?

MF: – I think jazz has many different colours but he has no swing … is NO JAZZ !!!!!!!

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

MF: – Nothin special, only concentration.i developed this after 30 years of practicing and bein on stage.

JBN: – Ism is culled from a variety of lives dates with various performers over the course of a few years. Did your sound evolve during that time? And how did you select the musicians who play on the album?

MF: – Off course. I learned a lot performing with so many different musicians stealin from all of them! like I said I love these musicians because they listening at music when they playn and the interplay just comes out naturally …

JBN: – What’s the balance in music between intellect and soul?  

MF: – For me is more soul, swing and romance …

JBN: – There’s a two-way relationship between audience and artist; you’re okay with giving the people what they want?

MF: – I think just be on a stage means give some to people and it has the best you have everytime, in any occasion and situation.

JBN: – Please any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

MF: – Many, but very special to me is the relationship I have with Mr Jimmy Cobb form 1990. Also playin and recordin with Archie Shepp is some real special for me.

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

MF: – Young people has to learn jazz from the tradition.some time they believe that just watchin few videos,transcribe some solos make them professional musicians and this is very wrong!!! I learned in the old way practicing,goin at the concerts listening at musicians better than me .and this is takin a long time.

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

MF: – I think that music has to be respected.so any gig eather the small has to be respected and played at your best.

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

MF: – Make understand young people that bein a professional musician is no easy at all. For me is so offensive no respect music. And that’s why today many musicians are in the reality just hobbiest.

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

MF: – As much I can and any kind of music no only jazz … gospel, funk, soul, classic.

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

MF: – Be honest with me, with the musicians I playn with and with audience I am playn for …

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

MF: – IN NEW YORK IN 1956 !!!!!!

JBN: – I have been asking you so far, now may I have a question from yourself…

MF: – How you thik you can keep jazz music alive?

JBN: – Of course. We do this, this is our goal …

JBN: – So putting that all together, how are you able to harness that now?

MF: – Keep playin as best I can as long I can !!!

Interview by Simon Sargsyan