INTERVIEW: Papo Vázquez will bring jazz, Afro-Caribbean music to NJ
Papo Vázquez, the accomplished jazz trombonist from Philadelphia, plans to bring his stellar band, the Mighty Pirates Troubadours, to Princeton, New Jersey, for the Blue Curtain concert series Saturday, July 16. He will share a bill with Argentinian singer Sofia Rei.
Vázquez has an interesting background, one that uniquely prepared him for a life of music. He was born in Philadelphia but spent many of his early years in Puerto Rico. These two settings instilled in him an appreciation for salsa and Latin jazz, and led him to develop bomba jazz, a mixture of jazz and traditional Puerto Rican bomba.
Throughout the years, the trombonist played with many legendary performers, including Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Willie Colón and Eddie Palmieri.
Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Vázquez about his background, upcoming New Jersey concert and many collaborators over the decades. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What can your fans expect at your concert in Princeton, New Jersey?
We have a vast repertoire of jazz and Afro-Caribbean music but mostly songs from our latest CD, Spirit Warrior.
How did you first start playing the trombone? Does it go back to when you were a child?
At the age of 13, I bought a trombone from a friend for $5. Began taking trombone lessons at that time in Philadelphia.
Did the area where you grew up influence your music career? Did the musical history of Puerto Rico influence your music?
I am multicultural. I was born in Philadelphia, then moved at an early age to Puerto Rico. By 9 years of age our family was back in Philly. Music was a staple in my house. My father’s side of the family were Puerto Rican Troubadours, e.g., played Jibaro music [music from the mountains of Puerto Rico] as well as popular music of their era. I was influenced by their music as well as the current music of that era, James Brown, The Delfonics …
You have collaborated with some of the best musicians in the world. What was it like to work with performers like Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri and Willie Colón?
I grew up listening to all of their music, so being able to perform in their bands was part of my dream.
You count John Coltrane and J.J. Johnson as musical influences. What is it about their music that inspires you?
My first two jazz records were J.J. Johnson’s Blue Trombone and John Coltrane’s Live at the Village Vanguard. These two records changed me. I realized there was a whole world of music that I didn’t know about.
What was the goal with your latest release, Spirit Warrior?
The basic goal of all my recordings have been to create something that will last years into the future and hopefully be source material for future generations. Selecting the grooves and the different styles for this particular recording was not easy. It’s based on human struggle that we sometimes face in our lives. We are all Spirit Warriors at different levels.
When you begin composing a piece, what’s the first step you take? Do you first write for the trombone and then consider the other instruments?
I will listen to what was previously recorded and see in what direction we should go. Then once I decide a style and concept for a song [melodic, harmonic and rhythmical] I might sit at the piano, play stuff on my trombone, or even write on paper then compose using the software Sibelius. Sibelius allows one to listen back to what you are composing.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Papo Vázquez and the Mighty Pirates Troubadours will play on a double bill with Sofia Rei Saturday, July 16 at the Blue Concert concert series at the Pettoranello Gardens in Princeton, New Jersey. Click here for more information.
