The "Listen to Musicians" section is a section where professionals who usually play music on the stage can go down the stage and speak in words.This time, we will interview the guest of jazz pianist Michika Fukumori, who is active in New York. I would like to ask you about "being active in New York as a musician".
-Profile of Michika Fukumori-
photo by TAKEHIKO TOKIWA
Graduated from Aichi University of the Arts, Music Department, Department of Composition.After moving to Tokyo, he studied under Hiromasa Suzuki and has been active in Tokyo for eight years. He went to the United States in XNUMX. He studied jazz piano under Steve Kuhn and graduated from the Jazz Department of the City University of New York Graduate School of Music. He has appeared in Lenox Lounge, Cleopatra's Needle, University Street, Beekman Tower Hotel and more.He is expanding his Greek tours, album recordings and musical activities.He has also appeared in the jazz live house "Blue Note", and his ability is highly evaluated.He is also the author of "How to Play the Piano on CD / Easy to Enjoy Pops Piano" (Natsumesha) and translates "Hammond Organ / Keyboard He Joey DeFrancesco His Inn" (ATN). increase.
-Can you tell us what made you interested in music in the first place?
Is it a trigger? You were taken to a local music class by her mother when she was three years old.I happened to have a piano at her home ...
-I don't think you were interested in it when you were little, but did you have a moment when you started doing it and decided to become a professional?
Well, since I was 3 years old, I've always been doing it, so I went to the music college without thinking about anything, and now I'm doing jazz, but I dared to enter this path after I left the music college. is not it.
-It seems that you started with classical music in Japan, but why did you end up with jazz?
I can't say that much, but when I went to the music college, I thought I didn't like classical music very much.In the music class, I let them do classical music, and there are also pop music, but when I think about it, I realized that I liked that one.Until then, I liked music time more than regular classes at school, and I liked everything about music, but when I entered the environment of 100% classical music, it was a little different.If you think about it carefully, you prefer the songs you play on TV.
-Is there still a lot of classical music?
I've been desperate for this since I entered the jazz road.I haven't listened to it because I don't have time.
-You seem to like Brazilian music, but why did you go to jazz?
You didn't know that Brazilian music could work with it.After graduating from college, he really wanted to be a commercial musician.He's like a composer who provides music to singers.So, I thought it would be better to know the theory of jazz if I became such a person, so I happened to be doing something like a jazz festival on TV, and this arrangement is amazing! When I wanted to be with this person, I would like to meet and talk with Osamu Uchida sensei, who supported and raised Japanese jazz as Dr. JAZZ, and I will introduce you to Suzuki. I was told to ...Suzuki sensei taught only unmusic.That's why I feel like I've been very deep, enthusiastic, difficult, only jazz, and have no time to do other things since Suzuki sensei.
-From that time on, it was converted to jazz at once, and it was like jazz in Tokyo.
Live at Zinc Bar
It was difficult because I didn't have time to do other things when I thought about conversion.I had it myself, and I really liked it.There was a band that happened to pick me up, so from the moment I went to Tokyo, I felt like I was addicted to jazz.There was a connection.I didn't have time to think about sideways.Under such circumstances, I really liked Brazilian music and listened to it a lot, but when I went to New York, both Brazilian music and jazz existed in great quality, so I wonder if I should live in New York! I wish I could go to the bar I longed for in the future!I thought like that. I wish I could go to a bar called ZINC BAR.At the bar there, at first glance, only Brazilians were playing, so I never thought I would be on stage.I want to be Brazilian for the next life (laughs).I really want to play Brazilian music and jazz together, but Brazilian music is also very difficult, isn't it?Due to rhythm issues.I might have been able to do it if I was a genius, but I know my capacity well (laughs).
-Please tell us what made you think about going to the United States.
Ms. Miyoshi Uemura, a singer who raised me from the beginning of jazz, told me to go to New York from the time I met her.But you don't have the money, of course.How to get to New York?How do you save money and go to New York when you are full every day?It was like that.One day, I finally saved money, so Uemura seems to be able to go this year, but when I said that, he really said.I'm renting a room, so I'll take you with me because it's okay to stay, and when I went there, I got hooked from the first day.I should have lived here already, I thought that I had no choice but to live here.
-What did you think was the most like that?
After all it is music.You were really shocked, didn't you?You've only heard records, haven't you?It seems that he listens to CDs even if it's so-called studying or Brazilian music (laughs).Listening to live music is about 1 times more powerful than a CD. Of course, I used to go to Blue Note in Tokyo, but there is a life where I can listen to it for about 10/XNUMX of the price or for free.I never dreamed that I would be there, so I felt like I could just listen to it.I don't think that I'm mixed with such people at all.Thank you for just listening to it.
-What do you think of Fukumori's musical style at the moment?Also, how do you make your own music?
When I was in Japan, I was really thinking about what changed about music since I came to the United States.About music.Anyway, I was thinking with a great head.In the country where jazz was born after coming here, in the land where jazz has developed, isn't it listening in this way?What's more, if you listen to the amazing big names up close and listen to their music, you have to convey it from the bottom of your heart, not thinking with your head.That's where I think I've changed a lot in Japan and New York.So I think I'm happy to feel that. It's also attached to Steve Kuhn, and here it's all about that kind of thinking. From Steve Kuhn, what are you doing music for?What?It would be meaningless if there was nothing to convey.Steve Kuhn played a song that I practiced a million times, what is this ~!That said, I haven't played for about 100 years like this, but his one shot, which I played for the first time in 30 years, is 30 million times better than my 100 million practice sessions. I mean, it's much better.
-What kind of things do you think about when you play on the stage?Or are you playing naturally?
Japanese pianist active in Zinc Bar
When I was in Japan, I was thinking and playing.Right now, it means that nature will come out naturally.And practice so much that you don't have to think about it.Train yourself so that you can immediately understand what you are feeling.In Japan, even though I thought I was doing that, it didn't get through.I'm not saying that the circuit was wrong, or that it was wrong, but that was good.I started to feel that it's not like this with my body, even if I'm swinging now, what it means to actually swing comfortably. Hey.That is to keep thinking for the rest of your life.I didn't grow up here (laughs).That kind of thing is often said, we listen to this music, speak English and swing like this, but it's mostly your thought circuit Japanese (laughs).
-I think jazz has a TU-KA part, but do you feel different when you play with Japanese people and when you play with foreigners?
The way of communication is the same.How to Jazz learned in Japan is OK at all.But I'm still looking for the answer, how to swing beyond that, and how to get closer to the performance I was listening to on the record I longed for, but sensei says it's difficult, isn't it? ..It means that you can feel it in your heart.
-Is it like it's soaked in your body?
After all, listening to that music as if you were bathing all year round.
-Is it like you can't tell unless you live all the time?
I think there are people in the world who understand.It's been five years since I lived, and I've finally begun to understand it, but I don't think I understand it.Even if I say this, Steve Kuhn would say Never ever swing.After all, you study with books, don't you?There is slavery, and I feel familiar with things like the fusion of African music and Western music.For example, if you look at gospel, this is the basis.
-When you live in New York, you feel like taking a bath.
If you live in New York, it's English even if the TV commercials are played in English.The music that plays between the lines also plays in English, doesn't it?When I return to Japan, it's all Japanese music, and first of all, I feel the difference.So, for example, it would be different depending on whether you grew up listening to this on TV for 30 years or not.
-Do you mean that there will be a fundamental difference in that part?Then, if you continue to live there for another 30 years, do you mean that you can get closer to the music you are aiming for?
I hope you get closer.However, I think it is important to maintain that kind of awareness forever.
-What kind of commitment do you have in your music activities?
Yes.No (laughs).Now I am accepting anything if I get a call.
-Isn't it on the performance?
Not.I will do whatever I am told (laughs).I'm not sure, but apparently I know a lot of songs.The first band I got in Japan was Dixieland Jazz, from old songs that ordinary people don't know to songs that singers like because I played a lot of singing companions.In that sense, it is often used.So I am grateful to the Japanese bandleaders for hiring me! ..It's often said that you're probably Japanese and pretty young, why do you know the songs that grandma knows?(Laughs)
-What is the most exciting thing about music activities?
It's time to feel like you're really in touch with the people you're playing with.The moment is very vague, but it's a groove.It's when you're swinging in your own way.
-Is it something that will be conveyed to the customers at that time?
I think it will be transmitted.Customers don't listen when it's not on. Even with Zinc Bar, it's a hassle.So, after all, when the band is playing, the customers are listening.I'm honest (laughs).
-When we say that we aren't on board today, do we have no customers?
Well, even if we were doing it 100%, there are times when things don't go well for some reason.I don't know.I'm always aiming for a good condition.Sometimes it doesn't work depending on whether you feel the energy from the music or not.Even if you don't want to play sloppyly, as a result, if the energy isn't enough for the music, it will be transmitted to the customers.
-Isn't it that musicians sometimes can't get enough of it even if they try to get excited?
I agree.Ideally, it would always come with a burn at the moment of making a sound.
-Are there any differences in the audience between Japan and the United States?
A relieved breath after the live
I don't think there is a big difference, but for example, when playing at a restaurant, it doesn't really matter whether the audience listens or not.However, Americans have an atmosphere of having more fun.Are Japanese people ready for a while?It feels like.But when Japanese people get used to it, they listen to it with a good feeling.
-Do the jazz club customers feel different in Japan and the United States?
I know jazz is playing in jazz clubs, so I don't feel that much difference.
-What kind of music is jazz for Fukumori?
I wonder if it's a life companion because I've been doing it for so long.While saying that, I have various hobbies (laughs).
-What was the most influential influence in New York?
Musically in New York, hmm, I was attached to Steve Kuhn, but after all it was the most influenced.Is it an attitude toward music?I don't really understand the posture.Such a great person has an aura that is amazing even if he takes a lesson for about an hour and a half.Is it a genius aura?Even if you play it sideways, it will be affected.
-It's not about technology or poor skill, isn't it?
It's not like that.Perhaps Steve Kuhn's life is full of that sound, and it feels like he's influenced by that sound.
-It feels like it will appear in your own performance.
Yes, I'm a maniac.I think I'm a nerd.I collect his records and I go to listen to almost XNUMX% of my live concerts in New York.
-Can you tell us your dreams for the future?
I want to get better (laughs). I want to be a musician who can convey myself more (not technically).As a result, I wish I could convey myself and share my happiness.
-Does the musician know what the customer thinks is good?
It's transmitted, it's the same as saying that it's noisy earlier, and when it's on, it's like exchanging ale.Then musicians will come.It feels good to each other.
-Do you think there are any secrets or conditions for success as a musician overseas?
I'm not sure if I'm successful, but I'm sure it's desperate.In the case of jazz, New York is the hometown, so there are hundreds of people who yearn for it every day.So, aren't there tens of thousands of people in front of me?So if you don't do it desperately, you can't keep up.
-Conversely, do you feel that you have a chance if you do it desperately?
I agree.
-Please give a message to readers who want to study abroad.
I think the dream of studying abroad will definitely come true.It will come true if you make an effort and save money.I think anyone can do it until they study and graduate.But do you say that the future starts from there?Do you try to make the most of it? I'm also enthusiastic.Make sure that you do not mistake the direction of your efforts.For those who study abroad, it may be ahead of the game.Even if you want to be a performer, only a handful of people can be a performer, so if you want to be a performer, be prepared.Do not mistake the direction for desperation.After all it is difficult, so it may run idle.You have to make an effort to reward your desperation.In addition to practicing, I also have to put up an antenna.It means taking a job.After all, if you don't interact with various people, you won't get any information.I think that is also important.Of course, when a chance comes, you have to be able to accompany it.In order to study abroad with a dream and make that dream come true, you must always be accompanied by your own abilities, so it is necessary to be in that state.
Fukumori's official homepageBut live information is open to the public.
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