Language of jazz
May 2012
Jazz is an international language, and if ever there was proof of that, it’s in Albare’s latest album Long Way.
Featuring the crème-de-la-crème of jazz musicians from all over the globe – and produced by one of international music’s most influential figures, Mathias Winkelmann – the new album also sees Albare making his debut on renowned jazz label Enja. Currently preparing for an international tour which will follow the collective’s appearance at the Melbourne Jazz Festival next month, Melbourne-based Albare recalls the “magic” that was in the air during the group’s recording session in New York earlier this year.
“There is definitely a kind of magic when you’re working at such a high level with that calibre of people,” says Albare. “It’s amazing to be able to turn up in a studio, look at each other, just smile and start instantly playing. That’s exactly what happened when we met each other – we just knew what to do. If you listen to the album it just sounds so relaxed and it sounds like we’ve been playing together for many decades. I really feel we’ve done a fantastic job on the record and we gelled so well. We’ve actually all become great friends out of that experience and we’ve kept in touch.”
Needing no introduction to jazz lovers in both France and Australia, Albare’s guitar career spans a whopping 45 years, while his contribution to jazz began at the very young age of 12. He began actively touring at just 14 and moved to Australia at 27 where he went on to become the artistic director of the Melbourne Jazz Festival for three years, as well as the chairman of the Australian Jazz Awards. These days he is enjoying concentrating purely on his craft.
“I would absolutely love to make another album,” Albare says of a possible follow-up to Long Way. “It’s been such a great experience to work on music again. What I love most about this album and this group is that we’re reinventing jazz all over again. It’s about always trying to take it to the edge, whatever that edge is, we don’t know, but we are certainly trying to find it! The sound is still very much jazz, but it’s got something much deeper about it, there is real deep groove and the melodies really speak to your heart. I don’t think it’s just for people who love jazz, I think it’s much wider than that because the album itself is beyond categorisation in a traditional way. When you’ve had this kind of experience, you look forward to recreating it again.”
It’s little wonder why, considering the calibre of musicians collaborating with Albare on Long Way, and who will also be reuniting for the upcoming tour.
“We will be playing in France in July then we’ll be going to Germany and other countries,” he says of the dates. “Music is such a personal language, jazz is an international language. This album especially is very international because of the musicians behind it. We have our drummer Antonio Sanchez from Mexico who has won three Grammys in the past, we have George Garzone who is on the sax, we have Leo Genovese on piano and he is Argentinean, Hendrick Meurkens on harmonica, he is German, and Evripedes Evripidou who is the bassist and composer.”
To add to the already international vibe of both the album and the collective itself, the group agreed to record in a whole new place altogether – New York City.
“New York is a very special place,” Albare says. “What we managed to achieve in that city was spiritually very enriching. People can actually see that for themselves, we have included a bit of an insight into the whole recording session and our experience in New York through some mini documentaries which people can find on my website [albara.info]. There are some videos on there which explain what we are trying to do on the album and you get a feel for the whole atmosphere and vibe of the experience.”
According to Albare, what served as another major highlight of the year was his recent signing to German jazz label Enja – the owner of the imprint, Mathias Winkelmann, insisting on producing the album too.
“That was a great honour,” says Albare of Winkelmann’s interest in Long Way. “He was the one who brought together such a stellar line-up of musicians, knowing that every one of us has been a mature musician and very well known in our field. He signed me to the label worldwide but he also asked to produce the album. It has been a landmark occasion. It has helped in terms of my reputation progressing into other European countries.”
Albare iTD will perform in concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Tuesday, June 3rd at 7.30pm. Tickets through www.melbournerecital.com.au
Other Articles You May Like
NEON Extra
Regarded as one of Melbourne Theatre Company’s most significant initiatives so far, the NEON independent theatre festival has been celebrating…
Galleries
Weather
20°Latest Edition
