Last interview in Canada

Two moments with Sol da Capital. Ottawa Jazz fest 2011 and Buckingham JAzz Fest 2011

http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2011/11/30/five-questions-for-evandro-gracelli-by-justin-duhaime/

Five questions for Evandro Gracelli (by Justin Duhaime)

Very soon, Ottawa will be one very distinctive guitarist/vocalist short. In a few days, Evandro Gracelli will be returning to his native Brazil after spending two years in Ottawa (he moved here in 2009 with his daughter to follow his wife who was studying criminology at the doctoral at the University of Ottawa).

Gracelli’s last Ottawa gig will be a final show Thursday (Dec. 1) at the Mercury Lounge with his quartet (reed player Jasmin Lalande, bassist/pianist Silvio Modolo, percussionist Angel Araos) — and, I expect, more than a few musical friends wanting to bid him adeus.

1) What are some of the things you did here while you wife was in school?
This time here I could go for my acoustic guitar, the nylon thing, playing with [guitarist] Rene Gely… I got a weekly gig in a Portuguese restaurant that helped me practice chord/melody [thing] and also singing/comping…

Being here made realize a lot of things that you lose when you’re unfocused. That sometimes your life [gets] stuck.

2) How did you find Ottawa?
Here there’s another vibe in the air, the time is different and Ottawa , it’s a cool city with cool people so I have time to be more creative to practice and study. I had this time, and enjoyed it lots.

The years here made me have another view of life — [like] a different human being. Your country is amazing.

I had a chance to live in a small city, being part of a community and could learn more about GIVING YOURSELF. Canada is a special place. Obrigado. I don’t know if I’m too philosophical.

3) What do you think about the music scene in the Ottawa/Gatineau region?
Man, there’s a lots of great musicians that need to be connected. I played last Friday in Buckingham (the Buckingham Jazz Festival). Man, there’s a guitar man there, Jean, I think, a great man. So there’s a lots of good players around, and that’s good.

4) How did you connect with the musicians you know and play with?
Man, move yourself. Naturally I met great people. We have to keep the vibe and listen, talk, exchange. Be open — jazz, blues, Latin, folk, free, gypsy — all can talk and be mixed. I do it like this, so I had luck meeting Rene Gely, Roddy Elias, Florquesta Brasil, Sol da Capital, Roda de Samba…. Lots of good music that help and give space to put my voice.

5) Do you have plans for when you’re back in Brazil?
Next week I’ll be back in Brazil and return in my home town, Vitória. I have a solo concert on Dec. 10.

Guitarist Evandro Gracelli plays Thursady, Dec. 1 from 9 to 11 p.m. at the Mercury Lounge. Admission: $10.





enjoy it.