Additional Information
Andrés Vial is a well established pianist, multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Montréal. A staple of the creative scene here, Andrés is a regular performer at the L’OFF Festival de Jazz. This year finds him returning with what will no doubt be two remarkable shows, one with his own quintet and one as part of a special collaboration with drummer Joe Chambers.
PAN M 360 : Andrés, many thanks for taking the time. It seems you have quite an exciting L’OFF this year. It must be nice to return to the festival circuit. Would you say there is something special about L’OFF this year in light of all that has happened since 2019 or not really?
ANDRÉS VIAL : Thanks for asking me! The last few editions of l’OFF Festival were hybrid and/or virtual, so I think this year is special for everyone involved. It definitely is for me, because I haven’t played the festival since October 2019, and this year I get to perform with my mentor, Joe Chambers.
PAN M 360 : The music you are presenting with your quintet this year explores folkloric and rhythmic idioms from West Africa and South America. Is this a new direction for you or something that has always been a part of your musical voice?
ANDRÉS VIAL : It’s not entirely a new direction for me. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with renowned musicians from West Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America for decades now – people like Bassekou Kouyate from Mali, Malika Tirolien from Guadeloupe, and Janet Valdés and Obsesión from Cuba. And my family is from Argentina and Chile, so I heard a lot of South American music growing up. Since about 2015, I’ve been consistently incorporating elements of South American folklore into my original compositions, as well as adding pieces by South American composers to my jazz piano (solo and trio) repertoire.
The original music I’m presenting at l’OFF Fest this year was definitely written and arranged with specific musicians in mind, who come from West and Central Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the US and Canada: Mamadou Koita, Elli Miller Maboungou, Vovo Saramanda, Michael Davidson, Tommy Crane, Ira Coleman, Martin Heslop, Caoilainn Power and Joe Chambers.
PAN M 360 : Do you find that the ‘jazz’ idiom is easily assimilated with music from other cultures?
ANDRÉS VIAL : Jazz is essentially hybrid music to begin with. Like many other New World musical traditions originating in the African diaspora, jazz has always incorporated elements of African, European, and Indigenous music. Of course, depending on the era, geographic location, and specific circumstances, the extent of these different influences can vary greatly.
PAN M 360 : Did you come to any new epiphanies or discoveries in working on this project, perhaps about the unity of all sound and things?
ANDRÉS VIAL : Definitely. I felt a unified sense of purpose being expressed by the group immediately. They’re all such sensitive musicians that I could really hear how much everyone was listening and adapting to each other and the flow of the music. I think it always comes down to how musicians relate to each other, personally and musically. Because we’re all operating within the greater sphere of Black music, it’s been pretty easy to get on the ‘same page’ quickly. There are alot of commonalities in terms of how we approach ensemble playing, improvisation, polyrhythms, etc., but there are also some noticeable differences that have required us all to adapt to best serve the music. Each of us has been pulled out of our comfort zone at times, and each of us has also been able to share aspects of our own culture and musical knowledge with the others. It’s really been a gift.
PAN M 360 : I would love to know more about your work with Joe Chambers. How did it come to be and what exactly is the nature of your ensemble ?
ANDRÉS VIAL : I saw Joe perform at Upstairs and give a masterclass at McGill around 1999 or 2000. It was such a heavy experience that I decided to audition for the New School in NYC, so I could study with him. ( I was playing a lot of drums at the time.) I played vibraphone in his Jazz Percussion Ensemble there for a year, which was great, and we played a lot of the compositions that Joe contributed to Max Roach’s M’BOOM percussion ensemble, of which he was a core member.
Fast forward about 20 years to 2022. This past May, I was preparing to record an album of my own original percussion ensemble music, and I emailed him to ask if he’d like to play on it. He said yes! He came up to Montreal for 3 days and we cut the record – it was an amazing experience. About a month later, he called me and asked if I’d like to work with him on his new Blue Note album! I ended up playing piano on 3 tracks, contributing two of my originals (Dance Kobina and City of Saints), and co-producing.
Our co-led ensemble features musicians who appear on both of our upcoming records. For our OFF Jazz Fest show we’ll be playing mostly originals, as well as a few standards.
PAN M 360 : How has it been working with someone directly connected to the jazz lineage?
ANDRÉS VIAL : It’s been a dream come true, on so many levels. I’ve learned so much from playing with him. He is absolutely one of the finest ensemble players of all time. His level of groove and swing, his dynamic range, his touch, his telepathic ability to connect with everyone in the band…and he’s such a great composer. Joe turned 80 this year – what a profound contribution he has made to this music over the last 7 decades! It has felt surreal at times, especially for me and the other jazz cats in the band. Personally, there is nothing more rewarding than having a mentor say they dig your piano playing and your compositions, and they want you to join their band. It’s truly been an honor to work with him.
PAN M 360 : Can we expect an album release any time soon? Anything exciting on the horizon we ought to be on the lookout for?
ANDRÉS VIAL : Joe’s album Dance Kobina will be out on Blue Note Records on February 3rd. My album Spirit Takes Form, featuring Joe and many of the aforementioned musicians, will likely be out by Fall 2023.
PAN M 360 : Thanks again for your time, wishing you all the best Andrés.
ANDRÉS VIAL : Thank you, Varun!
The Joe Chambers/Andrés Vial ensemble plays on the 15th of October, at 8PM at Théâtre Plaza.
