Jazz Interview with a diminutive musician, saxophonist Magnus Dolerud․ An interview by email in writing.
JazzBluesNews.com: – First, let’s start out with where you grew up, and what got you interested in music.
Magnus Dolerud: – I grew up in a rural area in western Sweden. I was interested in music at an early age and started to play saxophone at 10. From first note I loved the instrument and the sound of it and when I started to play jazz and improvised music I knew this was what I wanted to do!
JBN: – How has your sound evolved over time? What have you been doing to find and develop your own sound?
I think my sound evolves all the time! When you start to play, maybe you want to sound like some of your idols. For me, trying to sound like Dexter Gordon was a great exercise! 🙂 Nowadays I just want to connect with the vision of my own sound and I try to develop that everytime I play.
JBN: – What routine practices or exercises have you developed to maintain and improve your current musical proficiency, in terms of both rhythm and harmony?
I’ve kept some really basic chord and rhythm studies in my practice routines that I do at least every week. I listen a lot to new music and try to figure out how other musicians approach the music. And of course I listen carefully and learn from all the great musicians I have the pleasure to play with! I try to combine this and find new ways in my music and in my playing!
JBN: – How do you keep stray, or random, musical influences from diverting you from what you’re doing?
I don’t think there is any risk. I have been very focused on what I want to do!
JBN: – How do you prepare for your recordings and performances to help you maintain both spiritual and musical stamina?
Practice and learn the music!! If I know the music, and I’m in contact with my own sound, then I can relax and listen to and be inspired by the moment, the music and of course the great musicians around me!
There could be talk or advertising about your CD
JBN: – In your opinion, what’s the balance in music between intellect and soul?
I strive to be as free as possible in the music, so 100% soul and 100% into the music is my goal!
JBN: – There’s a two-way relationship between audience and artist; are you okay with delivering people the emotion they long for?
We do our best and hope we can deliver good music!
JBN: – How can we get young people interested in jazz when most of standard tunes are half a century old?
There are so many different ingredients in this music. There will always be new generations of jazz players and listeners!
JBN: – John Coltrane once said that music was his spirit. How do you perceive the spirit and the meaning of life?
I try to live in the music and communicate with other people through the music.
JBN: – If you could change one single thing in the musical world and that would become reality, what would that be?
I don’t know … In some way make it easier for freelance musicians!
JBN: – Whom do you find yourself listening to these days?
Joe Lovano and Brian Dickinson Big Band!
JBN: – What is the message you choose to bring through your music?
Emotions, colors, structures…, communication. Or just sound and music!
JBN: – Let’s take a trip with a time machine: where and why would you really want to go?
If I could hear just one live concert with John Coltrane, maybe I would step into the time machine… If your question is about music? And if it’s possible to go back?! I like it here!
JBN: – So far, it’s been me asking you questions, now may I have a question from yourself…
What inspired you most to start JazzBluesNews? To spread the word about the music or the urge to write and express yourself that way?
JBN: – Jazz is my life!!! You will not understand that, you are so far away from all that.
JBN: – At the bottom line, what are your expectations from our interview?
I’m just happy to get the chance to get in touch with you and JazzBluesNews!
Interview by Simon Sargsyan
