Borja Gonzalez, hotelier and master of musical ceremonies; Mariano Steimberg on drums and percussion; and Ales Cesarini, double bass and electric bass, are responsible for ensuring that an entire estimable and faithful group of pilgrims eager for good jazz come, every monday, to this great little temple of live music in Valencia: La Vitti. The formula is perfect: they open gig in the first part with a guest musician, whether local, resident or foreigner. In a second part, the jam session offers the many musicians – professional or in the process of becoming so – the possibility of playing in front of a regular audience, that never ceases to amaze, whether it's new or classic songs, versions with a thousand and one aromas. In the pause, You can see how important this silence and respect for the musicians is., essential for them to make the most of their work.
Why Monica Vitti for a bar like this? How has the intersection of your training in film with your vocation for music developed??
B.G. Michelangelo Antonioni's trilogy with Monica Vitti influenced us a lot when we were studying; I always showed curiosity about that cultural and intellectual revolution of the years 60, and La Vitti works as a club name and appeals to the female universe, which interests me very much. Besides, omit “Monica” and naming it as a folklore fits with our Mediterranean character.
The Lunezz de la Vitti has become a reference for many musicians and regular audiences. How did the idea come about between the three of you??
A.C. We talk to each other about the third… Borja sought to establish the jam in its programming and that it worked according to, basically, has been doing it until now. Mariano, already here as a professor at Berklee, came from directing jams during his time in Barcelona and I was the link at first because he was already doing other jams… Then everything came smoothly and spontaneously so that Mariano finally came in charge of the direction and proposal for the guest artist.. already during the week, We look for spaces in our agenda to prepare the session, deciding what songs to play and rehearsing what we can.
Coming every Monday, the public learns and enjoys the mix of genres, of influences, of collaborations for greater expressiveness and creative possibilities… As musicians, To what extent are you aware of your pedagogical work??
M.S. I always found that special connection and closeness with the public very beautiful., based on silence and that is why, Not only the public wants to come to La Vitti, musicians also want to play here. But this close treatment can be fatal if the matter is not handled properly.. That is why Borja's work informing first and then Ales', entertaining and involving the public, It is essential to achieve those moments of magic.
B.G. This spontaneous prior liturgy also takes place in which the public takes its place half an hour before, introduce the musicians—something that doesn't just happen—, legitimizing that musician-public partnership that is so needed and thus creating that appropriate framework so that the performance offers all the possible value.
It seems obvious that cultural bars like La Vitti and a school like Berklee College of Music are contributing a lot to this city.
B.G. The ABC premises (Association of Cultural Bars) contribute with another type of less formal but quality cultural proposal that, in the background, It is very rooted in Valencia, the closeness, he “tardeo” and that must inevitably point towards neighborhood coexistence.
M.S. Yeah, the truth is that the color, the novelty, The movement of people who pass through Berklee also helps to create that richness and multicultural modernity typical of people who come from outside with different backgrounds., is transmitted and materialized in new influences in a society, The Valencian, with deep musical roots, but maybe more classic.
What projects, planes, or guests can you tell us in advance for the summer? Have you thought about recording a Monday live show??
B.G. I have a project to start: a mini-stamp of what happens here at La Vitti, thinking as a first recording in one of the jams con Baptiste Bailly, a great musician, keyboardist, who is saying very interesting things in the field of improvisation, of the jazz avant-garde and other music. SERGIO BELLO
