Josep Pedro, All About Jazz NY: New York, August 18, 2010.- Musician, producer and director of his own music school, Ximo Tebar stands out as the main jazz figure in Valencia, Spain. His music and talent, however, have also given him an international stature as an excellent guitarist and composer. His frequent collaborations with some of the finest musicians in the jazz scene, the stylistic variety of his recording and his admirable work capacity make Tebar an artist worth following.
His recordings can be divided in two categories: those focused on fusion jazz, played with fairly of large ensembles where Tebar works hard on arrangements and textures; and others, where he concentrates on more orthodox jazz, normally playing in a trio, where fascinating interaction between musicians as well as impressive lead abilities can be heard.
Celebrating Erik Satie (Omix Records, 2010), is devoted to classical music composer Erik Satie. In Victor L.Shermer’s words for AllAboutJazz.com: «The watchword of this album is ‘plays,’ with the implications of irony and humor, tinged with Chaplin-esque sadness that characterizes what Tebar and his ensemble, taking a cue from Satie, offer.»
All About Jazz: You started to play music when you were seven. What made you go for the guitar?
Ximo Tebar: It happened by chance. My parents bought me a guitar in an attempt to stop me biting my nails.
AAJ: Undoubtedly, the guitar has been the main instrument in the development of styles such as rock ‘n’ roll. However, in jazz, even after becoming a lead instrument, it seems that it has a secondary position compared to wind instruments.
XT: Well, originally the guitar used to be part of the accompaniment; it was part of the rhythm section. Currently, it’s a lead instrument, with the special characteristic that it can also be used as part of the rhythmic base, just like piano.
AAJ: In your latest record, you adapt classical compositions to a jazz language. How did the idea come up and how did you face the challenge?
XT: I love listening to classical music and also to study and analyze it. I’m not an expert, but I don’t forget that classical music is the mother of all things in terms of composition, harmony and orchestration.
Erik Satie’s music has always captivated me. Then, it all started with a proposition of the Valencian Music Institute (Instituto Valenciano de la Música) to make a record and a concert in the Jazz Festival in Xàbia. I decided to develop the idea of recording Satie’s music in a jazz style. One of the things I most like is to play around with the music of other composers, make my own versions, reharmonize, put a twist on them, make arrangements, producing…
AAJ: We tend to get repeated the same information about Erik Satie: the difficulty of classifying his music and his peculiar character. What makes him different to other composers?
XT: Well, it seems that he was a very peculiar guy. His personality went beyond his own music and he became an intellectual figure of his time. Both his person and his music were eccentric, transgressive and daring.
The challenge and aim I’ve looked for with this project is to communicate, through music, one particular vision of Satie’s work, based on the aspects of his personality: risk, dare, boldness, avant-garde, fusion, freedom; in other words, based on his vision of the world.
AAJ: History places the birth of jazz in the south of the United States, in cities like New Orleans. In your last record you’ve adapted classical music of a 19th century composer. How can we understand this duality between black music and European classical music ?
XT: In my opinion, nowadays music is not classified in genres, styles or geographical places anymore. Any creative idea comes from global and historic knowledge and influence from all the music that has existed on the planet, from Bach to Herbie Hancock, to Bob Marley, The Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Arnold Schoenberg, John Coltrane, Mozart, Camarón, Paco de Lucía… It is challenging to try to merge all those musical influences together from your own point of view and creativity. It’s fascinating.
AAJ: So where does current jazz get its inspiration from?
XT: From different kinds of music and cultures.
AAJ: As a musician and producer, what are the possibilities of creating a strong local jazz scene in Valencia? Which way should we follow?
XT: Education at schools, not only for jazz but for music in general. Music should be a compulsory subject in primary schools because it implies many important things that help with development and values of the individual: discipline, study, group work, overcoming, concentration, improvisation, creativity.
AAJ: You have gone through different music styles in records like Ximo Tebar Goes Blue (Omix Records, 2001) or Son Mediterráneo (WEA,1995) and now Celebrating Erik Satie. There are many artists that choose a particular style and focus on it. In your case, why do we get such a stylistic variety?
Ximo Tebar Jazz & Crossover Guitar Player, Composer and Producer 