Interview by Dessislava Berndt with the boogie woogie and blues piano player Silvan Zingg
The International Jazz Festival in Bansko is one of the biggest summer musical events in Bulgaria and one of the foremost international cultural happenings in the Balkans.
Since its foundation in 1998 the festival has been held annually from August 8th to 13th in the small town of Bansko. Tickets for the concerts are free of charge for the public. Traditionally, the programme features styles and groups representing almost all jazz styles. During the festival week, jazz is also played on various smaller stages in the large resort complexes and restaurants.
Today we would like to present you the boogie woogie and blues piano player Silvan Zingg from Switzerland.
Silvan Zingg Trio (Silvan Zingg/grand piano, Valerio Felice/drums and Nuno Alexandre/doublebass) will perform in a concert at the 2015 edition of the Jazz festival held in the Bularian mountains among Monty Alexander Trio and many more world famous performers.
Mr. Zingg, what does music mean to you?
MUSIC IS SOUL, LOVE, ENERGY, LIFE, COMMUNICATION, PEACE, JOY and EMOTION.
Photo: Silvan Zingg
Photo: Silvan Zingg
Is this the first time you have been in Bansko/Bulgaria? How did you come by an invitation for Bansko Jazz Festival?
NO, IN 2004 DURING THE SUMMER I PLAYED A PIANO SOLO CONCERT AT JAZZ FEST IN BANSKO.
What do you know about Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people?
I REMEMBER I RECEIVED A VERY WARM WELCOME AND I, PERSONALLY, LOVE THE FOOD AND THE TRADITIONAL MUSIC FROM BULGARIA.
Silvan Zingg, Photo: Massimo Pedrazzini
What is the biggest challenge for you as an artist?
CATCHING THE PLANE TO MY NEXT CONCERT AND GETTING BACK HOME IN TIME ARE SOME OF MY USUAL CHALLENGES. SOMETIMES THE GRAND PIANOS ON STAGE ARE ALSO A LITTLE CHALLENGE.
What is your ultimate dream?
MY DREAM IS TO OWN MY OWN PLANE AND PILOT, AND BRING MY OWN GRAND PIANO AROUND THE WORLD.
Silvan Zingg, Photo: Massimo Pedrazzini
For you, what was the most surprising experience when working with other musicians?
I HAD THE CHANCE TO PERFORM WITH THE GREAT BB KING AND HIS BAND AT THE MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL. THAT WAS AWESOME!
Would you please tell us something about your current and future projects?
IN BANSKO I WILL PRESENT MY LATEST TRIO WORK. WE will PERFORM BOOGIE WOOGIE STANDARDS IN SWING AND SWING STANDARDS IN BOOGIE WOOGIE.
Foto: Silvan Zingg
www.silvanzingg.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/silvan.zingg
http://www.facebook.com/boogiewoogiepiano
The international press calls him: “the Boogie Woogie ambassador from Switzerland”. “Silvan plays as if he were from St. Louis ����� he could be my blues brother!��������������������� said Rock ‘n’ Roll legend Chuck Berry enthusiastically about his pianist.
Influenced by vintage recordings of black pianists, he started to play the piano in his early childhood. After graduating from university, he began his professional music career. Silvan has played in over 30 countries up to now (Europe, America, Asia, Middle East). His style is a mixture of fat grooves, a heavy portion of swing and incredible virtuosity performed with a lot of fantasy. He plays lively boogie-woogie, sensitive blues and classic jazz.
Silvan Zingg appeared and performed on stage with legends like Chuck Berry, Katie Webster, Sammy Price, Memphis Slim, Champion Jack Dupree, Tito Jackson, Pinetop Perkins and many more.
In the summer of 2011, Silvan Zingg performed at the world famous Montreux Jazz Festival in B.B. King’s concert with Carlos Santana, John McLauglin and others.
