"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:

Mark Alban Lotz - flutist, composer, band leader
The Netherlands

Performs within Jazz, Latin Jazz and World Music settings. His
interpretations of Afro Cuban religious folklore music gained world wide
attention. Played and recorded with a.o. Amelia Pedroso, Miguel Anga Diaz,
José Pilar Suarez, Nikky Marrero, Sandip Battacharya, Dave Tronzo, Michael
Moore, etc. Performances at the Percuba Festival, Havana, The North Sea Jazz
Festival and others. Located in the Netherlands, 37 years young.
Website at http://www.xs4all.nl/~lotz/

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

I was born in Tübingen (Germany) and raised in Bangkok (Thailand),
Kampala (Uganda) and Berlin (Germany).

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

Musically speaking it was Michael Heupel - flutist living in Bonn
(Germany) and after the years still the best flutist I ever met.

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?"

In Cuba I attended a concert which featured besides rumba other
traditional folklore music. I was hooked.

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

Speaking with the words of Duke Ellington: All good music ..... :-) To
be more specific: honest music - if it has enough quality to catch my
attention.

In Examples (to name a few):
Lazaro Ros
Charlie Parker
Hari Prasad Chaurrassia
Johann Sebastian Bach

Q: "Are you a song writer?"

Yes. As a leader of an ensemble and as a recording artist I believe that
besides we have to perform excellent we ought to present new/personal music
to be able to participate on a professional level (musically speaking, not
business wise :-( )

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

Besides my own creativity and life in general : tradition, folklore,
knowledge, my need to expose myself, and money.

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

To transport music, its strength and emotions, and share them with the
audience. I believe in general we musicians have the responsibility to let
people understand and experience how beautiful this art it is. In particular
to let them know about the specific music we love.

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

Very small and unimportant ..... a little insect between giants.
Everything I understand and do is related to the various traditions of music
I know.

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

More respect and caring for nature: vegetation, living beings as well as
their culture. And of course: Lotz Of People loving Jazz music, attending
concerts and buying CD's :-)

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

First singing and dancing later to learn to play the piano.

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

Socially it helps me to gain attention and to make a living. Emotionally
I have fulfillment as I do perform the music after my taste and I experience
pleasure! Playing is fun!

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

- Travelling
- Communicating with different people
- Develop and share music

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?

Mostly I recognize something I really appreciate - thus I am struck by
something I know, able to feel or to understand .

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

There are so many .... much to much to mention. Also I bet Lotz of
musicians I never have heard of who can teach me much.

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

The whole industry and press is very important for us musicians. We
depend very much on the attention we get in the media concerning selling
CD's, producing CD's and performing live.

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

No. But I still would play .... .

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

This is a big problem: there is not such a short segment as my music is
as many faceted as my life. I guess the solo performance I have not recorded
yet would come closest ;-).

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

Do not allow the industry influence you too to easy. Have respect.
Attend live concerts. Listen. Learn to listen(speak with musicians).

Credits:
Allan Johnston - format questions
Eliseo Cardona - translations

Lea esta entrevista en Español visite www.anapapaya.com