The XVII International Festival Jazz_Bishkek_Spring will open today at the National Philharmonic named after Toktogul Satylganov in Bishkek.
One of its participants, Yogev Shetrit from Israel, gave an interview to 24.kg news agency before his arrival in Kyrgyzstan.
— You are going to participate in Bishkek Jazz Festival not for the first time. What attracts you so much to our country?
— I am looking forward to playing in Kyrgyzstan for the third time. I am sure that this performance will not be the last (laughs). I really like this country, people, culture, nature. I plan to travel about the country, to see beautiful lakes and mountains.
I really like the festival itself, its organizers are very hospitable. In general, everyone I met in Bishkek was very friendly. My parents are from Morocco and I grew up in the same welcoming environment.
I fell in love with your republic and people. I also really like the Kyrgyz folk music.
-You will hold several master classes in Bishkek. What are your expectations from communication with the young generation of musicians from Kyrgyzstan?
— I look forward to the opportunity to tell about my culture, which influenced me, Moroccan music. I am glad to be able to share my knowledge with the students. I am open to any questions and ready to answer them.
I’m learning Kyrgyz traditional music a little and it’s so great that we can share our culture.
— Why did you choose jazz and drums?
— I saw the drum for the first time when I was ten years old. My parents bought it for my brother. It was wow! We played together — my brother and me. To be honest, I practiced a little then. It is not easy to play the drum when neighbors live behind the wall.
But I didn’t give up because I really liked it.
The first jazz work I heard was Dave Brubeck’s «Take Five». My mother loved it very much.
I fell in love with jazz. I became seriously interested in it at the age of 19-20, after I started playing the drums.
— What can you say about working with Kyrgyz musicians?
— It is very easy to work with these amazing musicians from Kyrgyzstan. The best played with us.
I like working with them. Vikram (Ruzakhunov. — Note of 24.kg news agency) is a very talented musician, an amazing pianist. I am looking forward to playing with him again.
I got to know a lot of amazing musicians from Kyrgyzstan. I discovered a lot for myself in the process of work with them and they learned about my culture, Moroccan, Mediterranean music.
Everyone has their own manner of performance, their own style, which are mixed into one. It’s so wonderful.
I love that we can make great music together.
— Do you agree with the statement that jazz is the music for the select few?
— Of course not. Jazz is music for everyone. I had a friend — a fan of the mainstream. I invited him to my concert. He replied that he was not a fan of jazz. I still gave him two invitation tickets. «What is jazz? This is something really awesome,» he said after the concert.
If you love music, then there are no limits.
Yogev Shetrit is a professional drummer, performer, composer and music teacher for the past 18 years.
He took part in the last three Bishkek festivals, captivating the audience by his bright and unusual jazz compositions with notes of Moroccan and Israeli rhythms.
24.kg news agency is the media partner of the festival.
