Written interview with Jazz and Blues guitarist Gaetano Letizia
Jazz Blues EU: – Thank you for taking the time to have this interview with Jazz Blues EU. Tell us about your music. When did you start performing?
Gaetano Letizia: – I began performing at 16 years, playing small gigs doing Jimi Hendrix and Clapton tunes. The James Gang called me up to play with them in Kent, Ohio at 18. Soon I began playing with jazz groups at Kent State and joined the Kent State Lab Band.
JBEU: – What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music?
GL: – Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Cleveland is the birthplace of rock n roll and home to many jazz and blues artists. In blues, Robert Jr. Lockwood was always playing somewhere in town and all the great jazz players came here regularly. George Benson spent time with me after playing gigs here. Great guy, taught me some great stuff.
JBEU: – What performers have been your inspiration?
GL: – In the blues, BB King was my idol. In rock it was Hendrix and Clapton. In jazz, always Wes Montgomery. And many, many other great artists.
JBEU: – What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
GL: – Penetrating the modern scene in places like Spotify is very difficult, where the big stars dominate sales and get the attention.
Also trying to get people to listen to new material that’s not familiar to them. So many people have trouble even paying attention to a new song they haven’t heard yet.
JBEU: – What do you base your success on?
GL: – Creativity. I specialize in taking new directions in my work that you haven’t heard before. Both my Jazz and blues tunes stretch the boundaries.
JBEU: – Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
GL: – I write jazz and blues tunes in a way that frees players to express themselves and cross-fertilize the group. I run all my groups like a bebop combo where everyone listens and communicates so we can take the tune to a new level, even in simple blues tunes.
JBEU: – What was your latest musical release?
GL: – Black Sheep of the Family is a blues and funk-based bunch of fun originals. Each one has a moral but they are not preachy.
JBEU: – Do you have any news to share? Could you share the story behind your latest new CD Gaetano Letizia –Black Sheep of the Family and what inspired its creation?
GL: – I just got tired of all the political correctness and cancel culture trying to stop us all from freely communicating. I’m outspoken, so I’m the Black Sheep of the Family. All the tunes on the album, encourage us to be ourselves and live fun, healthy lives while dealing with today’s blues and our modern problems.
JBEU: – How does your latest album fit into your creative path? Is this a goal you wanted to achieve?
GL: – I love what I do. I place no limits on my creativity, no fear of rejection by critics, only wide-open creativity. Based on that, Black Sheep is the recent installment of my artistic growth. It works. Give it a real listening and tell me if I’m right.
JBEU: – How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?
GL: – I always deal with modern problems. Our problems are different than those the old blues men had or even the bebop artists of the 40s. I just take a feeling and a memory and paint a picture. Fear is a big emotion for me. I like to face it in my music.
JBEU: – As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?
GL: – I’m very careful not to think of commercial appeal because it really waters down everything. If I spend time trying to think ofwhat everyone else likes, I’m not telling my story, I’m guessing and most likely missing the point. So hard to please others when you’re not being your true self.
JBEU: – What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
GL: – Social media allows me to connect with global audiences that were previously too far for an indie artist to reach. It’s a delight to give music to someone around the world and make them happy.
JBEU: – Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting impact on you and your music?
GL: – I organized a big benefit for opioid awareness and was able to expand my band to eight pieces. It was great to help that urgent cause with so many dying of fentanyl overdoses from Chinese fentanyl. It was a blast to have horns and back up singers on my tunes like the big boys ala Joe Bonamassa. (he’s great)
JBEU: – In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
GL: – I don’t understand why the royalties from platforms like Spotify are so microscopic. It’s almost not worth messing with them for small indie artists. Something needs to be done to protect small artists’royalties.
JBEU: – Musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage with your fans and build a dedicated community around your music?
GL: – I use all the SM platforms and have a large mailing list. I try to do benefits for worthy causes.
JBEU: – How can fans find you? Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.
GL: – Please communicate with me at https://gaetanoletizia.com You can talk directly to me there. I’d love to hear from music afficionados worldwide
You can hear my latest releases at https://gaetanoletizia.hearnow.com
Interview by Olivia Peevas
