Vibrophonist Miķelas Dzenuška and his group “Uzvaras bulvāris” album “Satiksmes nozods” has just been released, where you can immerse yourself in passionate “fusion jazz” melodies and harmonies. It will be presented in concert at the “Rīgas Ritmi” festival on July 6 at the “Noass” art center on the AB dam, where the “Jersika Stage” will operate.
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We asked Miķeli to fill in something similar to a book of memories, which this time could be called a “Jazz book”. We will ask other representatives of the new jazz generation to do the same.
The interview was published in cooperation with the “Rīgas Ritmi” festival.
What is jazz to you?
For me, jazz is freedom and spontaneity. No other music genre offers such a wide range of improvisational opportunities, and each concert is completely different and no performance is identical.
What inspired you to become a jazz musician?
I studied academic music in high school and although I really enjoy it, I wanted more freedom, not being tied to sheet music. Jazz provides that opportunity and I really like to be spontaneous on stage.
And where is jazz going?
In my opinion, jazz is constantly evolving and in the future we can expect an even greater mix of genres than at present. It is already very difficult to define what jazz is, and it will be an even more difficult task for future musicologists.
What’s the best thing to expect from a jazz concert?
Emotions! A jazz concert should be listened to with an open mind and it can best be enjoyed by observing and feeling the mutual communication of the musicians on stage.
How to achieve the feeling of free flight on stage?
Listen to other musicians and create a dialogue. In my opinion, interplay is the most important thing in jazz and just listening to what others have to say makes for a really interesting conversation.
Is it always easy for you to throw yourself into the vortex of jazz playing and is it always easy to get out of it and back into the real world?
The performer’s feelings and emotional experiences greatly influence the feel of the concert, but from the very first note these emotions must be transformed into music. Sometimes at a concert it feels like time has stopped and you are in a kind of interreality space – it’s a moment when the musician’s ego goes aside and, speaking the words of Michael Jackson, you let God enter the space.
What is the strangest thing that has happened to you while performing?
It has happened several times at concerts that we play the same phrase with a member of the ensemble at the same time. Such moments are not often, but when they happen, ants run over. Such moments are truly magical.
Who would you like to record an album with or at least jam with?
With Louis Cole, Bill Wurtz. From the Latvians – with Arti Oruba, Latvian Radio big band.
Where do you get inspiration for creating new music?
From human relationships, as well as from nature.
Is there a lot of jazz in Latvia?
I think very much! We release several new jazz music albums every month, and that is a lot for the small population of Latvia.
Is there such a Latvian jazz sound?
Yes! We have borrowed a lot from the traditions of choral music, it seems to me that Latvian jazz musicians work very skillfully with melody and harmony.
What would you wish and recommend for the “Rīgas Ritmi” festival?
To grow and develop, as well as to invite more young Latvian jazz musicians to perform. The new generation is very strong and they have something to say.
2023-05-22 21:07:50
#Miķelis #Dzenuška #jazz #generation
