Posted
on March 20, 2008
Dafnis Prieto takes his soul for a walk
Dafnis Prieto Sextet - Taking the Soul for a Walk
Dafnison Music 001 - 2008
By Tomas Peña
His arrival in the U.S. has been compared to an asteroid hitting New York and rightly so. In my third interview with the electrifying drummer, composer, arranger and leader, Dafnis speaks candidly about his life, his career and his new record label.
TP: The last time we spoke was in February 2005. A lot of good things have happened to you since then …
DP: About the Monks was nominated for a Grammy in 2006. I was also nominated for Best Artist of the Year in 2007. In the Fall I toured the states with the Absolute Quintet then I went into the studio and recorded Taking the Soul for a Walk, which is being released on my new record label, DAFNISON MUSIC. There are many reasons why I decided to start my own record label, but the main reason is, I want to record a lot of music in the future and I don't want to have to rely on a record company to do it.
TP: I am guessing that the title, Taking the Soul for a Walk has a spiritual connotation …
DP: Taking the Soul for a Walk is a journey of emotions, feelings and thoughts that have been with me since I arrived in New York eight years ago. The music is very emotional and every tune directly relates to its title. It is very descriptive music with a lot of textures and colors that are technically expressed via different combinations of instruments. As the title implies, it feels like Taking the Soul for a Walk, sometimes for a very long walk …
TP: The cover depicts a shadowy figure in the background and a window in the foreground …
DP: It's the shape of my body as my soul gazes through a window.
TP: Would you say that the material on Taking the Soul for A Walk are a departure from your previous work or is it simply part of your evolution as an artist?
DP: All of the music is new and none of it is similar to my previous work. For me, a recording is like a book with chapters that tell a story. The idea behind Taking the Soul for a Walk is to tell a story from beginning to end.
TP: What inspires you to compose a tune? Is it a phrase, a conversation, an incident, an event?
DP: Everything inspires me - life, nature, thoughts, beliefs, art – the concepts come from different sources. I don't have to think of music, or a specific style or form in order to write. For me, music is and will always be a way to communicate. The ideas come to me in different ways.
TP: At the Last Minute is a very moving tune. It's dedicated to the memory of percussionist Miguel Angá Diaz, who died in 2006. I get that sense that you and Angá were close.
DP: Angá and I were very good friends. We toured with my first band, Columna B, in and out of Cuba. I loved him as a person and a musician. His death was a big loss for me. When I learned of Angá's death I sat down at the piano and wrote At The Last Minute with tears in my eyes.
TP: I checked in with our mutual friend, Producer, Roberto Occhipinti and I asked him about the making of Taking the Soul For a Walk. Here's what he had to say about the project: “Before we get to the studio, Dafnis has already mapped out exactly what he wants to hear from all his players. He surrounds himself with some of the best musicians of his generation. They are all powerful and unique musical personalities and Dafnis writes his music with them in mind.” Roberto also mentioned that the majority of the material was recorded in two takes. Would you care to comment on Roberto's observations?
DP: Roberto's comments are all true. We have a great personal and professional relationship. We recorded the music in two seven-hour sessions over a period of two days. Fortunately, we performed all of the music at the Jazz Standard two days prior to the recording sessions so the material was fully developed. I really enjoy sharing my music with these wonderful musicians and Roberto did a great job of helping me to organize the sessions.
TP: Tell me about the musicians you chose for this project and why you chose them.
DP: I have performed with Avishai Cohen, Manuel Valera, Yosvany Terry, Yunior Terry and Peter Apfelbaum in the past but this is the first time that we have worked on my compositions. It was a thrill to work with them and they did an amazing job! You can put together the greatest musicians but if they don't understand the meaning behind the music it can sound out of context.
TP: Tell me about the tune, Comandante.
DP: The theme came to me after Mario Rivera's funeral (his friends called him El Comandante). As I began to develop the idea in my head I heard a fanfare, which led to thoughts of a military commander (from any country, including Fidel).
TP: You have come a long way since you arrived in the U.S. To what do you attribute your success?
DP: Hard work and consistency. I try to improve everyday and make the best of each performance. I also spend a lot of time developing my musical ideas.
TP: What's your take on the state of the jazz scene in New York?
DP: I think the scene is changing in a good way. There are always new musicians on the scene and that keeps the music fresh. Today's young musicians do not concern themselves with performing one specific style. I like the fact that they are open to creating and developing new sounds.
TP: I trust that you are planning to celebrate the release of Taking the Soul for a Walk somewhere in New York City? Where and when will you hold the CD release party?
DP: Yes, I booked four nights at the Jazz Standard from June 19th through the 22nd!
TP: On a more personal note, I have been following your career since you first arrived in New York (this is our third interview). It's been a pleasure watching you mature and grow as a musician.
DP: Thank you Tomas, I really appreciate the opportunity to do this interview and I hope that my development never stops!
TP: Given all of your accomplishments at such a young age, I wouldn't be too concerned about that! I wish you much success with Taking the Soul for a Walk.
Suggested Listening:
As a Leader:
- About the Monks (Zoho Music)
- Absolute Quintet (Zoho Music)
As a Sideman:
- Arturo O' Farrill – Live In Brooklyn (Zoho Music)
- Michel Camilo – Spirit of the Moment (Telarc Records)
- La Perfecta II – Eddie Palmieri (Concord Records)
Be sure to visit Dafnis Prieto's Official Web Site: www.dafnisprieto.com
Taking the Soul for a Walk is available at www.cdbaby.com |
