"Questions, Questions..."

A series of interviews with the members of The Latin Jazz Discussion List. All the questions were submitted by other members of the group, their peers. Each artist was given a number of questions with the option of answering as many as they wished. Further discussion with the artist in this forum is invited...

Today's Subject:

Andrea Brachfield
Flutist, composer, and educator.
South Brunswick, NJ

I have been playing music since I was 6 years old.

Website: www.phoenixrisingmusic.com

CD: "Remembered Dreams" (Spirit Nectar label)

Q: "Tell us a little about your childhood - where were you born and raised?"

I was born in Utica, NY but remember nothing, as we moved shortly thereafter. I grew up in Spring Valley, NY. From there we moved to France for a year then moved to NYC. The story and moves are endless. I'll stop here.

Q: "Who was the most influential person in your life that affected you,and your decision to become an artist?

I went to the High School of Music and Art, and I was greatly influenced by Linda ?? ( forgot her last name) a flute/ saxophone player and Dave Valentin, who also went to M&A at the time. The experience of going to Music and Art was the turning point in my life as far as becoming a musician.

Q: "When did you first fall in love with Latin music - or - when did you first choose latin music as a career path? Can you remember which band or artist turned you on?"

Actually Latin music chose me. I was sitting in with a friend, Lloyd McNeil, at the Tin Palace, a club in the city, and Mauricio Smith was in the audience. He asked me if I was working with anyone to which I responded I wasn't. So he put me in touch with Mike Perez who at the time had a Charanga group called Tipica New York. Felix Wilkins, the Panamanian flutist, took me under his wing, so to speak, and taught me a lot about Charanga music.

Q: "What piece or pieces of music made the most impact on you and why?"

I guess I was first most impressed with Eric Dolphy when I was first turned on to jazz. Debussy's "Afternoon of a Faun" also had a strong affect on me. I am currently super turned on to Tony Martinez's Maferefun and I recently heard a cut from Don Braden's Contemporary Standards Ensemble which
blew me away. I am constantly hearing incredible music which impacts me greatly.

Q: "Who's an artist you think more people should be aware of..."

That's a hard question. There are so many incredible artists out there. I guess if the public could take more chances by going to lesser-known venues they would benefit from hearing new and fresh music.

Q: "At what hour of the day are you most productive and why?"

I tend to be productive all day. I try to maintain a steady flow of intense energy doing tons of things all day then I sleep really well at night.

Q: "Are you a song writer?"

Yes, I actually write songs with lyrics which you could call commercial love songs. I also compose jazz, Afro-Cuban music, and Brazilian music.

Q: "What kinds of things do you do to inspire your writing?"

People inspire me, emotions inspire me, and concepts inspire me.

Q: "What things do you practice day to day?"

I meditate, pray, practice and do physical exercises.

Q: "What are your priorities when you go to the stage?"

I concentrate on playing as best as I can at the moment and try to have a really good time. I also like to communicate with the audience.

 

Q: "How do you see yourself in relation to the 'tradition'?"

I have had the luck to have had Bobby Sanabria as a friend and mentor. He has helped me develop the current clinic I am working on which has enabled me to reach deep into the tradition of Charanga music and Afro-Cuban music. I see myself as a vehicle through which I can impart the knowledge of the tradition to the public.

Q: "What music do you listen to when you are relaxing?"

My life is so busy my philosophy is that I try to relax as I am busy so I can honestly say I listen to all kinds of music all the time.

Q: "Give us a mental image of your favorite view in the world".

Peace, many bright colors, peace.

Q; "If you have children what kind of musical education have you given them or do you intend to give them?"

My daughter started playing the piano at a very early age. Then she played the violin for a short time. Next was the flute , then the trumpet. Now she plays the French horn. She is very educated in many types of music as I play many types of music constantly.

Q; "What does the music you play do for you, emotionally, spiritually, socially, whichever-other-ly?

Music keeps my soul fed, my emotions intact, my spirit full, and physically keeps me healthy.

Q:"What changes or landmarks in your life can you attribute to the music you play?"

The birth of my daughter changed my life and my music. The support I receive from my husband sustains and nurtures me constantly so I can continue to play .

Q: "When the music is at it's best in your opinion, what is it that's happening (to make it the best) and what do you feel?

The music is at it's best when I feel like what I play is totally connected to how I feel and what I'm thinking is also connected to what actually comes out.

Q: "What one CD of those you have recorded would you keep if the others were forever lost??!!"

"Remembered Dreams"

Q: "What one CD of someone else's would you keep if all others were lost??!!"

Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, among hundreds of others.

Q: "Name an all-star band of your favorite musicians (and arrangers) or one band for each genre (charanga, conjunto, big band, etc.)"

Kenwood Dennard, Giovanni Hidalgo, John DiMartino, Lincoln Goines, Michael Brecker, Hubert Laws

Q: "What musicians would you most like to play with, now living on earth or elsewhere?"

Same answer as above

Q; "What band or musicians would you have wanted to play with from the past and why?"

Duke Ellington, Mario Bauza, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy because they were incredible , each in their own right.

Q: "Are critics important? Or do you rather see your music reviewed in the vanity press?Are you susceptible to bad reviews?".

Critics are important in the scheme of things like media and publicity. We are all susceptible to bad reviews, but they can be helpful if you respect the person who are writing them.

Q: "Do you believe in music as art, as opposed to a product for merchandising?"

A smart musician knows that music is art and the best of both worlds is that your music, non-compromised, becomes a product for merchandising.

Q: "Would you still be a musician even if that means you´ll die of hunger?"

No. If I die of hunger I would be dead and not be able to play!!! LOL!!

Q: "If you had to choose a short segment (a few bars) from your work to represent you, which would it be?"

Strong, clear, consistent lines.

Q: "What food would you most liken your music to?"

A fresh, healthy salad in which you find all kinds of surprises each time you take a bite.

Q: "One piece of advice for musicians"

Always believe in your music and pray a lot when you start to lose hope.

Q: "One piece of advice for listeners (or dancers)"

Enjoy what you hear and dance to.

Q: "One piece of advice for life"

Live life as if it were the last day of your life, because you never know...it could be!!!

Credits:
Allan Johnston - format questions
Eliseo Cardona - translations

Lea esta entrevista en Español visite www.anapapaya.com