An espresso with…
Ivan Conti and Azymuth
Image Credits: Ivan Conti Azymuth © Leonardo Schiavone
December 12, 2017
For 40 years Azymuth have been carrying around the world their characteristic sound, capable of being a bridge between past and future. We interviewed Ivan Conti shortly before the concert of the Brazilian trio at the Jazz Re Found festival 2017
> Ivano Rossato, Iug Mirti
Azymuth’s sound is heavily jazz-rock oriented but you immediately understand that you are Brazilans; is it unintentional or do you deliberately try to give a South American flavour to your music?
In my first group I played bossa nova with the acoustic guitar. Then I played Brazilian rock & roll, after which I was part of some jazz quartets. We played so much in the nightclubs and we needed to know many different types of songs, jazz, samba, the Italian ballads of the ’60s… but our roots remain in the samba, “samba doido”!
How do you work on composition?
Sometimes I’m at home and I have no inspiration or desire to play. Then suddenly at two o’clock in the morning I get an idea and I go to the studio, then I share the idea with Alex and we start to exchange further ideas and work on them. To date this process still continues to be very interesting.
Sometimes I’m at home and I have no inspiration or desire to play. Then suddenly at two o’clock in the morning I get an idea and I go to the studio, then I share the idea with Alex and we start to exchange further ideas and work on them. To date this process still continues to be very interesting.
Did the new entry of the trio, Kiko Continentino, change your approach to writing?
After Roberto Bertrami died it was clear that he was impossible to replace, he was a genius! But also Kiko is a fantastic guy. He has new ideas that mix with old vibrations. Kiko reassembled the group again, gave us an injection of energy and new ideas.
After Roberto Bertrami died it was clear that he was impossible to replace, he was a genius! But also Kiko is a fantastic guy. He has new ideas that mix with old vibrations. Kiko reassembled the group again, gave us an injection of energy and new ideas.
Which elements have changed and which did not in your more than 40 years long career?
I think that every year represents a new kind of music. I remember one of our friends 20 years ago, he attended one of our concerts and said “you are 20 years ahead man!”. And now with the collaboration of DJs perhaps we continue to be ahead. We always like to make changes to our songs, it’s important. And the constant is the pleasure of playing!
I think that every year represents a new kind of music. I remember one of our friends 20 years ago, he attended one of our concerts and said “you are 20 years ahead man!”. And now with the collaboration of DJs perhaps we continue to be ahead. We always like to make changes to our songs, it’s important. And the constant is the pleasure of playing!
What’s the secret of playing together for so many years?
I think the secret is in the pleasure of playing together, sharing the ideas with Alex, Roberto and today with Kiko. And young people continue to love our music; to remain humble, this is the secret.
I think the secret is in the pleasure of playing together, sharing the ideas with Alex, Roberto and today with Kiko. And young people continue to love our music; to remain humble, this is the secret.
Many DJs have remixed your songs with a contemporary fashion; which modern artists do you find most interesting?
First of all Roni Size, he is able to build unpredictable rhythmic structures without compromising the melodic structure. The music is renewed every year, and it is fantastic to know that producers and DJs from all over the world have, with their remixes, allowed the new generations to listen to old compositions.
First of all Roni Size, he is able to build unpredictable rhythmic structures without compromising the melodic structure. The music is renewed every year, and it is fantastic to know that producers and DJs from all over the world have, with their remixes, allowed the new generations to listen to old compositions.
What would you suggest to a youngster wishing to become a pro?
It is necessary to acquire the technique, but it is very important to respect the other musicians and to continue to play together with commitment and constancy.
It is necessary to acquire the technique, but it is very important to respect the other musicians and to continue to play together with commitment and constancy.
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Reservados todos los derechos – All rights reserved – 版權所有 – 版权所有; An espresso with… Ivan Conti and Azymuth copyright Jazzespresso 2017.
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Jazzespresso es una revista de jazz y también un sitio web, una red, un centro que desea conectar las diferentes almas del mundo del jazz: americano, europeo, asiático, australiano y africano. Un punto de referencia multicultural en lengua inglesa, china y en castellano para los amantes de esta música en todos los países que quieren estar al tanto de lo que está ocurriendo en todo el mundo. Manténganse informados!
Jazzespresso is a jazz magazine, but also a website, a network, a hub wishing to connect the different souls of the jazz world: American, European, Asian, Australian and African. A multicultural reference point in English, Chinese and Spanish language for the lovers of this music in every Country, who want to be updated about what is happening all around the world… Stay tuned.
Jazzespresso 不只是一個爵士樂雜誌，也是一個能將擁有各種不同精髓的世界爵士樂，包括美洲、歐洲、亞洲、澳洲及非洲各地，互相連結起來的網站及交流站。以中文及英文寫成的內容將是一個新的多元文化交流的參考點，為各地的爵士音樂愛好者提供來自全世界最新的消息。請持續關注！
JazzEspresso 不只是一个爵士乐杂誌，也是一个能将拥有各种不同精髓的世界爵士乐，包括美洲、欧洲、亚洲、澳洲及非洲各地，互相连结起来的网站及交流站。以中文及英文写成的内容将是一个新的多元文化交流的参考点，为各地的爵士音乐爱好者提供来自全世界最新的消息。请持续关注！
Info: info@jazzespresso.com; Advertising / 廣告 / 广告 / Publicidad: adv@jazzespresso.com.
ABOUT US / 關於我們 / 关于我们 / NOSOTROS
Jazzespresso es una revista de jazz y también un sitio web, una red, un centro que desea conectar las diferentes almas del mundo del jazz: americano, europeo, asiático, australiano y africano. Un punto de referencia multicultural en lengua inglesa, china y en castellano para los amantes de esta música en todos los países que quieren estar al tanto de lo que está ocurriendo en todo el mundo. Manténganse informados!
Jazzespresso is a jazz magazine, but also a website, a network, a hub wishing to connect the different souls of the jazz world: American, European, Asian, Australian and African. A multicultural reference point in English, Chinese and Spanish language for the lovers of this music in every Country, who want to be updated about what is happening all around the world… Stay tuned.
Jazzespresso 不只是一個爵士樂雜誌，也是一個能將擁有各種不同精髓的世界爵士樂，包括美洲、歐洲、亞洲、澳洲及非洲各地，互相連結起來的網站及交流站。以中文及英文寫成的內容將是一個新的多元文化交流的參考點，為各地的爵士音樂愛好者提供來自全世界最新的消息。請持續關注！
JazzEspresso 不只是一个爵士乐杂誌，也是一个能将拥有各种不同精髓的世界爵士乐，包括美洲、欧洲、亚洲、澳洲及非洲各地，互相连结起来的网站及交流站。以中文及英文写成的内容将是一个新的多元文化交流的参考点，为各地的爵士音乐爱好者提供来自全世界最新的消息。请持续关注！
Info: info@jazzespresso.com; Advertising / 廣告 / 广告 / Publicidad: adv@jazzespresso.com.
