JAZZ PODIUM UP CLOSE

Jazz podium is an project of Jazz lent, that allows Slovene musicians to introduce their work. This year, Igor Bezget will perform three times. The first podium was about his music from the beginning of his career. Next two podiums will be about music from India and Africa.

You worked with artists from all over the world. What is the meaning of the second podium?

The aim remains the same - to present my work, which also includes that kind of music. I chose good musicians and replaced the elements I couldn’t discover here with people from abroad. I want to emphasise the African and Indian dimension of creativity. I am glad I can show people something different, starting with the second podium. Performers will include that Sharat Chandra Srivastava (ciolin), Gyan Singh (tabla), Sekou Kouyate, Mikhail Parushev (percussion). We called this part the Global Community, where different people will perform together and present music of different traditions. We will all contribute a music idea and develop it differently.

You named the third Pangaea - Free the world. What we can expect?

The idea of a ​​great-continent represents a base of Big Band, whose work has already been presented. The podium will include musicians from abroad and from Slovenia. I think we have about thirty performers. It is a large jazz band that includes vocalists (six singers), hip hop singer and a beat boxer. Add five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, two drummers and the rhythm section. Contrast to that are the instrumental part, improvisation and different traditions that will take us around the world.

How do you succeed in connecting with different musicians in such short amount of time?

I don’t like defining people according to where they are from. It is easier to cross the borders in music. Today, artists create music according to their interest not their origin. It is also true that people from the country with strong culture always have that tradition and culture with them. An African musician can bring that tradition with him but is also flexible and can connect with others. The result is a specific and unique sound.

What is our tradition?

Lately, the jazz scene experienced an immense project and I feel some elements of it are unique. We have a sound that is unique comparing to the rest of the world. Musicians should see that potential and use it. That way, we can add something of our own to music, no matter where we are from.

Can Lent be a place for that kind or music creativity?

Lent has been that place for a long time. Jam sessions are phenomenal, since they bring different musicians together. That is how good things begin. In the past, Lent offered me a chance to perform with people I couldn’t imagine performing with. It is a great experience and it gives you energy for the future. We won’t give up and will keep creating!