- Reviews

Roberto Fonseca is the thirty-three year old hot new jazz pianist from Cuba wowing audiences with his virtuosity. I say new, but actually he’s been playing with the best of them for a while, Herbie Hancock and the Buena Vista maestros. His music is infused with and informed by his Afro-Cuban roots and spiritual beliefs, grounded on a musical foundation that includes a stint in drumming and training in classical music. Tender, lyrical, passionate, sunny and just sheer brilliance sum up his sound.

Can’t wait to catch him in concert at the Barbican on May 27^th. In the meantime though, curious to know what makes him tick...

You are very passionate about music, having described it somewhere as ‘an eternal bride for a musician’ But how do you switch off and recharge your batteries?

I never stop! I’m always recharging my batteries by listening to a lot of music, it’s impossible for me to leave music alone, not even for a second in my life.

How does it feel to have accomplished so much musically at really quite a young age, working alongside such illustrious artists as Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo?

It’s a blessing, a gift from God or incredible good luck or the result of such sacrifice and undertaking what one loves and believes in. I’ve always said it’s a dream come true, I feel very lucky.

People have described your music as ‘modern’ What do you think they mean by that, when you have been influenced by a traditional music ‘that does not age’?

I’m hugely influenced by the facts of my life and each musician is a fact of life. Bach is product of this life. He inspires me a lot. Glenn Gould is a product of this life. I’m also greatly inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Mahatma Ghandi, Mohammed Ali, Lili Martínez*, Ibrahim Ferrer, their worlds interest me and I try to incorporate them into my music. But my family is my greatest influence. It doesn’t bother me one jot if they call my modern music, because it is born out of modern times.

*Lili Martínez was a master pianist and one of the ‘godfathers’ of Cuban son – a blend of African and Spanish musical styles which has developed into what we now call salsa and Afro-Cuban music

You studied classical music at music school in Havana – do you still keep up with this genre?

There are many musicians who don’t want to accept that classical music is the base of all styles and will never go out of fashion. I’ll always be in touch with it, and would love to one day create a melody as passionate as Albinoni’s Adagio or Swan Lake, for in these pieces you find everything: rhythm, harmony, melody. Crucial things for me in music.

You’ve said that the first cassette you ever bought was by Keith Jarrett, and that at 14 you were fusing American jazz and Afro Cuban music. Which American artists have influenced you most – eg did Oscar Peterson ever figure in there? What about non-pianists such as Coltrane or Miles Davis? Also, is there an era of jazz music that has particular resonance for you?

Oscar Peterson was one of the best pianists who ever was, or ever will be, in the history of music and the history of the piano, and he’s influenced me a lot Coltrane for his incredible expressiveness, Miles Davis his melody, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Brecker.. there are many and the list is endless.

Have you been able to catch any of the music of other rising musical stars coming out of Cuba and Africa, like Mayra Andrade?

I haven’t had the luck to meet her yet, but I am sure I will in the future. I like her music a lot.

Society puts a lot of emphasis on talent and good looks (!) – How will you keep yourself grounded in the midst of all the accolades?

I don’t worry about appearances or being good-looking. I just try to be elegant, fresh and comfortable in how I dress in and feel good for me myself. I’m lucky to know Agnes B, a great artist who brings a lot to my music, with her clothes I feel good on the stage and this transmits itself.

Have you managed to see much of London yet? Any favourite hotspots? Do you know much about what’s happening on the British music front?

I haven’t had the chance to see many places in London because I’ve always been on tour and the next day we have to get on to the next city for the next show. I hope to get some time though to see London. One day...I love all styles, such as jungle, drum and bass, breakbeat etc and what most catches my attention is the final result of the sound of the recording.

I know that you’ve composed music for films – can you talk a little about that and will you be doing anymore of this in the future? Any particular favourite movies?

I adore film music, my music is the tales and the landscape of my life, I always see it in images and from these springs my music. It’s the product of what I want to express, not with words, but through music. And I like the connection between sound and vision. I hope that in the future to make more products to do with cinema.

Musical plans for the near future – after the Barbican concert, when will you be back over here?

I’ve always liked playing in London and in UK in general. I hope there’s always a place there for my music, because I always play with my heart and get the best out of myself. Although it’s a long journey, the contact with my audience fills me with energy.

Thank you!

Thanks for your interest and hope to see you at the Barbican!

Check out Roberto’s cool website here: http://www.robertofonseca.com/

To catch him in concert on May 27th, you’ll find more details on the Barbican website. Joining him will be the great Omara Portuondo and the fresh American bassist, vocalist and composer, Esperanza Spalding

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=6932

POSTSCRIPT

- a good evening was had by all - see below for the London Standard's review of this wonderful concert. Well done Omara, Esperanza and, of course, Roberto Fonseca

Omara Portuondo with Roberto Fonseca at the Barbican

Esperanza Spalding @ The Barbican

Read the Standard's review here...