The Alliance Francaise has invited the Jazz pianist and compositor Eric Ildefonse for the Jazz and Arts Festival of Saint Lucia. In addition to his performance on the 5th May at Balenbouche, Eric Ildefonse animated a music workshop at the Castries School of Music. There, he agreed to be interviewed about the Jazz and Arts Festival and his workshops.
Jazz and Arts Festival, a new concept
Eric Ildefonse laments that in this new concept there is not enough Jazz, as he says « I feel the great atmosphere and the warnth of the people but I would loved to hear more jazz music being played. » however « there were Jazz in the south & Jazz on the square where there were some amazing jazzy performances ». According to Eric, the patrons were really welcoming; the Lucians are musically curious, they recognized in his music reaching their own « they recognize in this music which swings, despite the fact that they are English; my music is from a neighboring island and they are also Creoles so we manage to understand each other and I find it fantastic ».
The Caribbean Jazz, a choice, a recognition
Eric has chosen the Caribbean Jazz because he found that there was missing a certain « Africanness » in Jazz. As an African descendant, he wanted to work on the drum rhythm which was a little forgotten; he wanted to deepen his African knowledge where he really recognizes himself. His album « Reconnaissance » is, according to the artist, very close to Saint Lucian music. In fact, it contains Calypso, Ska, Chachacha, Samba … This album is focused on Caribbean music, the saxophonist Luther Francois from Saint Lucia, is also present on it: « it was the opportunity for Saint Lucians to discover Luther playing another type of music and therefore a great reason to buy the album » he adds smilingly.
« It was my dream, and with the help of the Alliance Francaise we realised it »
Since 2008, Eric Ildefonse has been animating several music workshops. He explains that he directed the « Africanness » towards music and this year, with the Castries School of Music workshop, it was the opportunity to share this evolution with those students: « « It was my dream, and with the help of the Alliance Francaise we realised it » stated the artist. Eric appears to have grown from this experience because he has learnt a lot from these young people having to find his inner child, in order to communicate better with them. He found this exchanges wonderful and to his amazement, this audience was very receptive: » The young people were highly receptive, they even participated, they were involved and wanted more. I found this extraordinary, the future lies there, very young, very innocent. I am glad that i was able to plant a little seed in their curiosity and make them want to focus on several instruments and have a look at their « Africanness. »
Eric has a message….
» The unification between Martinique and St. Lucia artists is possible, you can also merge your music to our own, listen to this music. Do not miss out on a good and enjoyable time »
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