Carte Blanche
Elmar Frey
Root Area Special Edition
JazzSoul / Blues / FunkSoul JazzBluesStraight Ahead Jazz
Carte Blanche: Elmar Frey
Elmar Frey has been given carte blanche by Moods for the 26/27 season. In this interview, he reveals who he is, how he describes his work, and what you can expect from his evenings.
I am a jazz drummer and am primarily active in the Swiss jazz scene, though I also regularly perform internationally. My musical journey began in my parents’ home, where we listened to a lot of music and played music ourselves. My grandfather was the director of a church choir, which is another reason why music held such a high place and was so important in our family.How would you describe your artistic work? What themes, questions, or soundscapes are you particularly interested in right now?
Stylistically, I specialize in what is known in the jargon as “straight-ahead jazz” or “contemporary hard bop.” More than 90 percent of my concerts are as a sideman (rather than as a bandleader). Throughout my long career as a musician, I’ve delved deeper and deeper into this style of jazz, and the diversity and expressiveness of this music continue to fascinate me. Every day, I discover something new and continue to refine my playing. It’s like a wonderful journey that never ends. What fascinates you about your instrument? What makes it unique to you?
This archaic way of producing sound—striking a drumhead with sticks—captivated me from an early age. Before I played jazz, I was a “tambour,” which is the Swiss term for someone who plays the marching drum. We have a wonderful drumming tradition in Switzerland.The drums are a very “physical” instrument—which, of course, can be said of all other instruments as well—but perhaps this aspect is even more central when it comes to the drums.What also fascinates me is the role of the drums in the style of jazz I play. They are the center of the groove, the center of energy. I clearly see the drums as an accompanying instrument with a supporting role. At the same time, they generate a great many impulses that have an enormous influence on the musical action.Have there been any defining turning points or major changes in your career so far?
Not really. My career path has been fairly straightforward. In the ’90s, I was in New York a lot; it was always very inspiring and gave me a fresh boost each time.One thing worth mentioning: I’ve often been lucky enough to play with people from whom I could learn something. When you have fellow musicians who are ahead of you, you grow as a musician yourself. That continues to this day: I’m constantly playing in bands where I learn something new—for example, from the many great musicians I play with at the Carte Blanche gigs.You're curating a "Carte Blanche" series: What can the audience expect on these evenings? What was the thinking behind the program?
I’ve decided to showcase the musical style I love most—and one that likely best highlights my core strengths—at all three concerts: These will be three energetic, swinging, groovy evenings filled with a rich variety of colorful melodies. I’ve composed a large number of new pieces, drawing inspiration from music that has particularly moved me lately.You invited guest musicians: Why did you choose them?
Jazz is improvised music. If you want to create something meaningful together while playing, it’s important that you complement each other well—in other words, that your ensemble playing works well. Only then will the result—as the saying goes—be greater than the sum of its parts. With this in mind, I’ve selected three ensembles that I’m confident will “take off” just as I’ve always dreamed. They’re all musicians I absolutely love playing with—people who inspire me and who “bring my compositions to life” in a very special way.What message would you like to share with the audience for these evenings?
For me, a jazz concert is a shared experience for both the band and the audience. The music is improvised, so there’s no exact blueprint for how the pieces will be interpreted, and we embark on this adventure together. This creates a kind of “complicity” between the audience and the musicians. We’re experiencing the same thing in real time and letting ourselves be captivated by it. That all sounds a bit over-the-top and lofty right now. To put it simply, you could also say: We’re going to have a good time together.
Elmar Frey's Carte Blanche
Carte Blanche
Elmar Frey
Sarah Hanahan International Quintet
JazzJazz Modern CreativeSpiritual JazzModern Creative Jazz
