Jazzing up the music scene

Jazz artiste Matteo Fraboni talks about growing up learning jazz by himself, teaching jazz in India, and keeping its original charm alive

Jazz artiste Matteo Fraboni is a traditionalist who likes to keep his music original in the pop music scene of today. A man of few words, Matteo is a professor of percussion and fundamental compositions at the KM Music Conservatory, Chennai. From studying at the Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics in the city of Perugia, Italy, to practicing with giants of Italian jazz such as Ramberto Ciammarughi, Frabizio Sferra and Massimo Manzi, Matteo has many accolades to his credit, including a nomination for Best International Jazz Album 2012 for his quintet This Is My Music; and the title of Best New Jazz Talent by Tokyo Jazz Notes.

In a candid chat, the musician elaborates on keeping the original charm of jazz alive and his experiences in the country. Edited excerpts:

Tell us about your tryst with music

I’m the first musician in my family. As a child, I used to spend lot of time playing with toy instruments and listening to the radio. And that’s how I started getting involved in music.

How did jazz interest you?

During my first experience at Berklee summer camp, when I was only 16, I discovered three albums, Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, Somethin’ Else by C. Adderley and A Love Supreme by John Coltrane. With these albums, I started to understand the language and the poetry of jazz, and that’s how the journey began.

How has your experience in India been so far?

I first visited India in December 2014 when collaborating with the Italian Cultural Embassy. Having made some contacts here, I kept coming back to the country because people had started liking my music. I think people here are mesmerised by jazz music. The space is growing in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Goa, where international artistes are ready to come and share their culture and knowledge with local musicians.

Tell us about your experience at the KM Music Conservatory.

After my concert at the Madras Jazz Festival in June last year, I got an invitation to join the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai. Ever since, I have been teaching music and I love sharing my passion with these students. Also, the gratification that I get by spending time with students, who are working on and creating original music, who have the same point of view and the same philosophy in life, is great!

What do you think about the music scene in India?

I feel there is an exciting scenario going on in India, where people are getting increasingly passionate about music. It’s beautiful, especially because of the number of music festivals which are taking place. However, we miss the reality of clubs that have live music, and the scope of music’s evolution. In India, young musicians should study and practice music, but not just from YouTube. Along with learning to be a self-taught musician, people should also try learning music from teachers, because one alone cannot know how they are learning and growing without professional assessment.

People in India are mesmerised by jazz —MATTEO FRABONI