What does jazz mean to you?
That’s a tough question. It’s also about what jazz truly is and what the essential ingredients are for something to be called jazz. I think everyone has their own perspective and interpretation of this. For me, at this moment, improvisation is the essence of jazz. If we hold onto this core, the way we improvise and what we choose to improvise with gives the music its sense of playfulness.
That’s the approach I take when composing and developing my projects these days. It’s about improvising with whatever materials, forms, or circumstances are at hand—not limiting ourselves to fixed ideas of harmony or melody. It’s like using any clay we have to create something. That’s how I see jazz and how I’m shaping my vision right now.
When I perform, what I play is more improvised than fixed. Before I start, I set some scenarios or materials for myself to work with. What I end up playing depends on how I feel, the space, and the audience. My improvisations are deeply connected to the environment around me, and one of the most important elements is how sound interacts with the venue. Even the presence of the audience can spark inspiration. If someone sneezes in a high pitch, for example, it might inspire me to do something with that sound.
