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- DIALOGS
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DIALOG WITH ANDREA MOTIS
We are honored to present our next interview with Andrea Motis, an internationally renowned trumpeter, saxophonist, and jazz singer. Her talent and passion have resonated on stages around the world, and we are thrilled to count such an artist among our fans. As ardent admirers of her work, we are eager to share her perspective and experiences with all of you. Enjoy this conversation!
Your passion for music began at an early age. What memories do you have of your first encounters with jazz?
I was always very interested in music. From an early age, I used to memorize and sing songs that moved me. Jazz, with its enveloping and mysterious notes, came into my life through my father. He was a great admirer of many jazz musicians, but he had a special affection for double bassist Charles Mingus. Since we were little, my sister and I would always listen to his records or those of Joe Pass or Louis Armstrong. Those moments have stayed with me.
You're 27 years old, and you, even, have an album released on the same label as such legendary artists as John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, and Duke Ellington. That must be a little dizzying! But I guess it must be comforting to know that your music connects with people at the same time, right?
It was amazing to be approached to make a record with the Impulse! Label, a label with such legendary artists in its catalog. Even though it's been several years since that exciting project, I feel that, for better or worse, honestly, my subsequent albums are better. I truly believe that! My passion is to continue to push myself to the max, seeking to better myself with each new album.
ANDREA WITH HER SON WALDI
You recently became a mother again, how do you balance motherhood with your music career, and how does this experience influence your music?
It's hard to explain! This time, with the birth of my second son, Waldi, I didn't have the opportunity to take maternity leave. I was working on the soundtrack of a film by David Trueba. Although it was a wonderful experience, it coincided with the birth, so it was crazy! Fortunately, these months I have a little more breathing space. I'm immersed in the launch of the album 'Febrero', but I don't have concerts or travel, which entails a lot of logistics when you have children. Postpartum is an introspective stage, in which physically you don't feel 100%, and everything becomes a little more difficult. I strive to do my best at every gig, preparing myself mentally and physically, and at these times, if you're not well, it shows. That's why I was relieved to know that I don't have any scheduled performances, which allows me to focus on work and rest.
Motherhood undoubtedly has a profound impact on a person. I know it may sound cliché, and I prefer not to fall into cliché motivational messages because I am aware of the social pressure surrounding motherhood. I respect and support those who choose not to have children; loving and caring for yourself is equally valuable. All of these learnings shape you and are reflected in the artwork.
However, for me, motherhood has transformed me. I am more forward-thinking and more organized, and I value simplicity more. I take advantage of the opportunities it gives me, such as those seemingly empty moments during breastfeeding, which are valuable spaces to reflect and create.
We've read about the importance you place on creating a community. Could you share an experience where you felt that community has supported and encouraged you in your artistic journey?
Family has always surrounded me. My father was my manager until he retired in 2020. Then, my teacher was the person who guided my advancement in my professional life; he formed a group with whom we have played together for more than 10 years. I call these members 'lovely uncles' (a nickname given to us by a fan in Japan) because they have been part of my family.
Today, I have a new manager and a new band, but I am still looking to create a community in which I feel as supported as I have in the past. Despite these changes, my partner, Christoph Mallinger, remains a key player in my career. He is the producer of my last album and will also be involved in the next one. I guess I naturally tend to combine family and friendship with the professional.
Your latest album, Loopholes, is very different, and perhaps I would dare say the most personal. What inspired you to create this album?
The inspiration behind "Loopholes" comes from the influence of my partner, who has been more in tune with contemporary music, while I was focusing on traditional jazz with acoustic formats. We had the collaboration of Stephan Kondert and his Big Band, who specialized in hip-hop, which resulted in a truly innovative project. All this happened just after the birth of my first child. I let them guide me extensively, and together we were shaping this choral project among the three of us, with arrangements and compositions in which we all participated in equal measure. It has been a truly special and endearing experience.
Music often takes us through various emotions and moments in life. Is there a particular song that has a very special meaning for you?
For me, the song 'On The Sunny Side Of The Street' has been a constant companion over the years. It is the tune that marked my beginning with the alto saxophone at the age of 11, representing a great challenge overcome. For me, there is a whole story of overcoming behind this song. It was also the piece that connected Christoph and me, so for me, it is also a love song.
Although there are many songs and moments in life, just this coming month, we are releasing "Febrero", an album full of classics, some of which evoke memories of my grandparents. The songs are memories that transcend musical preferences and connect you to loved ones and childhood moments. The album also includes “La chica de Ipanema” a song that has marked me as I performed it with Quincy Jones at a festival. For me, they are all precious memories.
