Improvising

“Improvising” is the title we gave to a round table with musicians in which they’ll teach us about improvisation when performing jazz. It is both our kick-off and a unique opportunity to meet and talk with the musicians who will join us in this new edition of the Madrid Lindy Exchange.

Enric Peidro. This tenor saxophonist and bandleader will moderate the round table. On the one hand, he picks up the influence of the great tenors of the swing era and, on the other, he interprets jazz in its most mainstream aspect. A musician of basically self-taught training, he has broadened his knowledge with internationally-known musicians such as Larry McKenna, Scott Hamilton, Red Holloway and Barry Harris, among others. His band, Enric Peidro Swingtet (which will be in our Madrid Lindy Exchange), has recorded three albums. The last one is “Keep that swing in your soul” (2018) and they’re planning on releasing a new one in June 2019.

Carlos “Sir Charles” González. Most musicians agree that Sir Charles is “a big one”, for his sober and elegant interpretations, his total lack of airs and graces, and his generous predisposition to collaborate in jazz projects. But he is not a friend of the media, so don’t google him :).

Fernando Berruezo. Saxophonist who cultivates different styles. He studied at the Taller de Músicos de Madrid and the Escuela de Música Creativa, among others. In the field of swing, he’s part of the Spirits Jazz Band, The Missing Stompers, several Big Bands, and collaborates with different groups in Madrid.

Jorge Estévez. Self-taught musician who cultivates different styles, from flamenco to jazz. He began his career in the swing scene with The Matsukis and Swing 33. He is a guitarist in Manouche au Lait and in the swing street band La Banda del Ángel Caído. He’s also a member of the Orquesta en Tránsito, a multidisciplinary orchestra that explores free improvisation.

Pau Sanmartín. Saxophonist who studied with Javier Iturralde and other great teachers, and who also has self-taught experiences. He has played in pop, rock, blues and jazz musical formations, and is currently a member of both Amaniel’s Big Band and La Banda del Ángel Caído. In 1998 he won the first prize at the Rock Villa de Madrid with the group Seres Imaginarios. He has also given many lectures on the history of jazz.

Lamberto Del Álamo. Musicologist, clarinetist and saxophonist, author of several books related to music.

Improvisation is an essential part of jazz music and of jazz dance too.
We want to know how musicians build their improvisations on a swing tune; what elements they consider; what personal contributions they add to the original piece.
We wonder what lessons dancers can draw from the way swing musicians improvise; how dancers stay connected to musicians as they improvise and sol-fa.
How do you improvise while playing music?
What are the key elements of a “danceable” improvisation?
What peculiarities do musicians see in the dancers when they perform music? How do dancers contribute to the way jazz is performed?

“In 1968 I ran into Steve Lacy on the street in Rome. I took out my pocket tape recorder and asked him to describe in fifteen seconds the difference between composition and improvisation. He answered: ‘In fifteen seconds the difference between composition and improvisation is that in composition you have all the time you want to decide what to say in fifteen seconds, while in improvisation you have fifteen seconds.’ His answer lasted exactly fifteen seconds and is still the best formulation of the question I know.”
Frederic Rzewski

Location and time:
Rehearsals room, South Patio: Centro Cultural Conde Duque – c/ Conde Duque, 11. Madrid
Thursday, May 23rd – 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Capacity and price:
This activity takes place in the assembly room of the Centro Cultural Conde Duque, it’s open until the capacity is completed (230 people).

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