Mosaic Music Festival 2011, Singapore: Raul Midon, Angelique Kidjo, Christian Prommer, P’ez and many more!
by Madanmohan Rao
Editor & DJ; World music & Jazz
http://twitter.com/MadanRao
March is a great time to be in Singapore for music fans, especially at the annual Mosaic Music Festival (www.MosaicMusicFestival.com).
The eclectic lineup this year includes musicians from each continent, and I was able to interview a diverse group of artistes ranging from Raul Midon (US) and Angelique Kidjo (Benin) to Christian Prommer (Germany) and P’ez (Japan).
Other featured artistes at Mosaic 2011 include Gotan Project, Manhattan Transfer and New York Voices, along with bands from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia (Adhitia Sofyan) and Malaysia (Tokyo Blue).
Tokyo Blue trio is headed by bassist Hiroaki Maekawa, and includes Indonesian pianist Ywenna Carollin. Hiroaki explored new frontiers by playing the six string bass guitar both as a rhythm and lead instrument, and drew loud applause for dedicating a song to the victims of the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan (which would also cause a couple of acts to cancel their appearance at Mosaic).
The festival this year showcases over 400 artistes from 17 countries, up from 380 artistes from 16 countries last year (and over 100,000 music fans in attendance). I had the honour this year of interviewing Angelique Kidjo, Raul Midon and Christian Prommer. (See the full article at http://jazzuality.com/jazz-event-report/mosaic-music-festival-2011-singapore/)
Interview snippets
Country: Benin
Languages: French, Yoruba, English
Albums: Logozo, Ayé, Fifa, Trilogy, Oremi, Black Ivory Soul, Oyaya!, Djin Djin, Oyo
On her gift of music:
“If you have a gift, share it! You get more by sharing it than keeping it.”
Her message for the audience:
“I want my audience to feel happy, and feel empowered. They must stop living in fear. Fear keeps you in the gutter, joy brings you into light.”
Her message to the leaders and people of Africa:
“True leaders don’t act like cowards and hide behind their military.”
On musical collaboration:
“I like to collaborate with musicians from other countries, but it must be based on understanding, and not just a jam.”
On what songs she plays at performances:
“I have so many songs that it is heartbreaking to do just a few during a live performance!”
Her travel schedule:
“I do on average 250 concerts per year. I did 300 concerts in 2007 to promote my Djin Djin album.”
Her political stance:
“I left Benin when the government threatened freedom of speech. Musicians and citizens should not be living in fear. Music of courage gives people confidence and strength. No bomb can stop the people if we get over our fear.”
On spirituality:
“Organised religion should not become brainwashing. Let people experience spirituality for themselves. God is not a product to sell. Those who preach violence and take other people’s lives forget that in every human being there is God.”
Christian Prommer, drummer/DJ www.ChristianPrommer.com
Country: Germany
Albums: Alex and the Grizzly; Drumlesson; Liquid Angel; A Closer Look; Teufelswerk; Jet Set Jazz; Minx; Confusion; DJ Kicks; Aquarius
On the music scene in Germany:
“Berlin is the capital of European electro-music; Munich is also a good place for DJs.”
About the club scene:
“US clubs are more segmented, European clubs more open; Asia has a great vibe!”
About emerging jazz spots in Europe:
“Italy has a good jazz scene, with festivals like Umbria. Barcelona is also good for jazz. Vienna is the base for labels and electro-artistes like Kruder&Dorfmeister.”
On Indian percussion:
“I would like to get into Indian percussion; when I first heard it, I thought it was hippie music! Later I saw Trilok Gurtu playing with John MacLaughlin.”
On the power of the Internet as a music resource:
“Thanks to the Internet, students can pick up in days what I took 20 years to learn! Music fans and students can just soak it in online.”
On his new trio:
“Our combination of a trio – drums with bass and piano – is unusual.”
What he likes about Singapore:
“The good club scene, food and lovely women!”
His message to the audience:
“Everybody is equal! Jazz is the spirit.”
Raul Midon, singer/songwriter/guitarist, New York www.RaulMidon.com
Albums: “A World Within A World,” “Synthesis.”
On music genres:
“I like fusion music. Music does not have borders. There is good and bad in the electronic music scene.
On the Asian music scene:
“Asia has vitality, thee is an openness and appreciation for all kinds of music. Asia is perhaps less jaded than the West. I like Indian percussion; I played at the Blue Frog in Mumbai with guitarist Dhruv.
On composing music:
“I do my heavy composition at home, but also compose while travelling, especially since I am on the road almost half the time.”
On blindness:
“Being blind makes me focus wholly on my music. I have the blessing of being blind – it is easier for me to get over jet lag – I can’t tell the difference between day and night!”
