— The Jazz Seasons will be held for the ninth time in 2023. How will this year’s festival differ from previous varieties?
– First of all, the artists we will introduce. We have a very interesting line-up this year: All original personalities, brilliant musicians who will be performing in the upcoming Jazz Seasons. For example, Billy’s Band, St. Our colleagues in St. Petersburg. Or Dmitry Noskov – when you listen to him with your eyes closed, you see Frank Sinatra. Or Dmitry Malikov, who will present jazz compositions and, perhaps, sing a few of his songs, is loved not only by fans of jazz, but also by fans of pop music. Or Evgeny Margulis. Also, Nikolai Levinovsky is flying to us from New York, we will play his new works. I also recommend the performance of Igor Butman and Larisa Dolina. (Smiling).
This year, we will have two venues where we will present both very famous musicians and young musicians. The number of guests is increasing, they have different requests about whom they want to hear, so we decided to make an additional stage. The best forces of national culture and some of our foreign friends will gather in one place. It will be an international holiday where you can relax both musically and physically.
— Why was Gorky Leninskie chosen again as the venue for the seasons?
“It’s already a tradition, we really like it there. “Gorky Leninskie” is a museum-reserve with a rich history, where there is a beautiful nature, an unusual atmosphere and many interesting things. For example, there is the estate of Morozova, where Lenin lived his last years. Fortunately, we have excellent relations with the museum and the leadership of the Moscow region, it really helps us a lot and we realize that this is a favorite activity for many.
— There is a feeling that the target audience of jazz in Russia is already quite mature people. How often do you see young people at your events, including the Jazz Seasons?
“Many young people come to us. These are especially music schools and college students who want to see not only adult artists but also idols of the same age. They are interested in music because it offers an opportunity to learn something new, to refresh, to recharge. I am also very pleased that families with young children and young people come to us.
At Seasons we will offer many more activities besides jazz. For example, it will be possible to play hockey with children from the Fetisov school located nearby. Or table tennis – if we only had two tables at the first festival, then last year we set up 15 tables.
– Who do you think is the greatest jazz player in the history of the country? And who did more than others to popularize it?
– It is impossible to name a person here, there will be a complete list of great musicians. Leonid Utesov, Isaac Dunayevsky, Alexei Kozlov, Nikolai Levinovsky, Leonid Chizhik, Georgy Garanyan, Alexei Kuznetsov, Igor Bril, Gennady Golshtein, David Goloshchekin. The amazing arranger Vitaly Dolgov, who wrote a lot of excellent music. Brilliant trumpeter German Lukyanov, composer Yuri Saulsky. Vadim Sakun, Boris Rychkov, Alexander Oseychuk are excellent teachers and musicians. These, and not just people, have done a lot for jazz in our country.
— You continue to actively travel the world. What foreign concerts are you planning in the near future?
– We have tours planned in Thailand, Turkey, India and Oman, where we will play with American star Randy Brekker. There were also plans to perform in the USA, but this is still in question – there is interest on their part, but we still do not find time on the schedule. It’s a very busy season.
What kind of music do you listen to at home? Except for jazz, of course.
— I listen to a little bit of everything except jazz. And classical music and popular artists. And now I even started listening to some opera. I do this to be aware of what’s going on in music. This helps in my professional work – I need to understand what is interesting for the audience. Of course, I won’t rush between styles, I’ll change them every year, but you can still find new artistic tones and colors in other genres that are beautiful when you keep up with the times. I can’t say that I listen to other genres in general. But I listen – including my favorite old rock.
— Looking back on your life and career, can you name one or several people who had the biggest influence on your development as a musician?
– I think it’s my father. And also Gennady Golshtein and David Goloshchekin. I was also lucky in my life to meet someone interesting like the drummer Evgeny Guberman with whom we work and work.
– Unique professions have limitations that are not obvious to ordinary people. For example, it is strictly forbidden for football players to ski, as it badly affects the ligaments. What restrictions do jazzmen have?
– There is such an anecdote. A Jew comes to a rabbi and asks: “Tell me, is it possible to look at a naked woman on Holy Saturday?” The rabbi replies, “Yes, you can.” The Jew continues: “Is it possible to look at this? But for this? The rabbi’s answer remains the same: “Yes, you can.” Finally, tired of the questions, the Jew says: “Then what cannot a righteous man look at?” And the rabbi answers him: “To weld!”
Same thing with a jazz musician (Laughs). We need to know the measure in everything, both in bad habits and in sports. But the most important thing is not to stop improving and constantly looking for new ways of self-expression.
– You have repeatedly spoken to both Russian and foreign politicians. Who do you think knows jazz best?
– It seems to me that our president understands jazz best. Years ago, in June 2000, I spoke to him and then to US President Bill Clinton. Clinton still remembers that concert – he specifically mentioned it in an interview this year. Very impressed with our performance! And this concert was proposed by Vladimir Putin.
I’ve really talked to many world leaders throughout my career – President of the People’s Republic of China Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, the presidents of Austria and South Korea. And among them, I think Putin understands best.
— Is there a young jazzman in Russia whose name is not yet particularly known to the audience, but who will definitely become a world star in the future?
– As for the “definitely will” thing – I don’t know. If we talk about potential, then few musicians have it. This is, for example, Evgeny Pobozhiy, winner of the most prestigious jazz competition in Washington. I see him as one of the potential stars of world jazz. Or Anton Chekurov, an interesting and talented saxophonist and very responsible person, who writes his own music, plays the instrument wonderfully. As soon as they find their intonation, they will become the undisputed leaders of world jazz.
I will also mention the trumpet player Ivan Akatov, who has a chance to become an outstanding musician. With these and some other guys you can hear notes I haven’t seen anywhere else. And that gives me optimism.
– About 15 years ago, you took part in the Ice Age show, where you competed with the unfortunate Roman Kostomarov this year. Did you talk to him after the incident?
– I follow Roman on the news and on the Internet – I admire his courage and strength. He’s an Olympic champion, and you’re not just an Olympic champion. I don’t think he needs a word from me right now, but I’m sure he feels the support of all his friends and colleagues. I wish a speedy recovery to Rome, whom we have known for a long time! Now he’s showing everyone how to live. And of course, thanks to our doctors for not leaving Rome and helping her beat the disease. We will definitely keep in touch with him.
– Last year you had an important event in your private life – you got married. Your wife Anna is representative of another younger generation. Has it changed anything in you?
– Nothing has changed, everything is going according to plan, we live slowly (Laughs). You see, age is just a number to me. My soul, heart and thoughts are young. I’m a jazzman and art keeps us young. I also try to keep myself fit: I go to the gym 3-4 times a week, run, play hockey.
So I only have a loved one next to me – and that’s it. A person who understands, listens and supports me.
Is there anything in your past that you regret? Maybe they didn’t do something they dreamed of?
Everything I haven’t done yet, I can do in the future, and I’m doing it now. The main desire. You can’t lie on the couch and regret it, you have to take it and do it. Nothing ends at 60 or 90.