BY:Azad Karimi
I am indeed very happy to be a musician today. I find that I am very lucky to be able to live from my passion even if it implies a lot of sacrifice.
Interview
French Clarinettist Jazz Swing Denis Girault
By Azad Karimi
I love Jazz... what a wonderful world with Jazz Music...But:
Another misfortune that art has suffered in Iran is the attempt to Islamize Western art. How can the American jazz style, which has its roots in the traditions of ancient Africa, be converted to the Iranian-Islamic Shi’a jazz of the Iranian government? And how pathetic and comical this effort is!
For what? There are all kinds of taziyeh(Tragic), religious, nativity, lyrical, Tarab(joyful), local, and folk music in this multicultural country. Why shouldn't jazz be genuine jazz and it must be presented in accordance with the religious principles of the Iranian government?
This type of censorship is called integrated art. By doing so, they destroy the essence and spirit of the artistic style.
There is a question: Why not have the creativity to create a new and original style? Why spend your energy destroying these styles within your territory? All this madness goes back to the melancholy thoughts of a writer named Jalal al-Ahmad who wrote the book "Plagued by the West" fifty years ago.
This man so polluted the intellectual atmosphere of Iran with his anti-Western thoughts that it would take several more centuries for the effects of this poison to disappear.
Excerpts from this book were in high school literature and we reading.
With the change of regime, his thoughts were theorized in Iran.
Oh God, let's get out of this crazy history and get back to nice American jazz.
In my country Norway and near the city where I live there is a city called Molde. A biennial jazz festival is held in the city called *Molde International Jazz Festival (MIJF) or Moldejazz*.
Wikipedia says:
Molde International Jazz Festival (MIJF) or Moldejazz (established 1961 in Molde) takes place annually in July and is known as one of the oldest jazz festivals in Europe. It was initiated by the local Storyville Jazz Club. Since 1964 it has received government support, and the government Buddy Award was for several years awarded at this festival. To the extent Molde festival operates with records, is probably the bassist Bjørn Kjellemyr holder of "Most festivals in a row" musicians record. In 2015 he visits Moldejazz for the 17th time in a row as a performer. Two club gigs with Dag Arnesen's band is on the program for the versatile bassist. Guttorm Guttormsen (1974), Jon Balke (1975), Karin Krog (1978), Knut Riisnæs (1984), Terje Rypdal (1985, 1986, 1988), and Jon Eberson (1987, 1989) are among the artists he has visited Moldejazz through the years.
Another interesting topic that I thought I would write about is the world's first cinematic talking film called The Jazz Singer.
Wikipedia writes:
The Jazz Singer is a 1927 American musical drama film directed by Alan Crosland. It is the first feature-length motion picture with not only a synchronized recorded music score but also lip-synchronous singing and speech in several isolated sequences. Its release heralded the commercial ascendance of sound films and ended the silent film era, although there were still a few silent films after its release. It was produced by Warner Bros. with its Vitaphone sound-on-disc system. The film features six songs performed by Al Jolson. It is based on the 1925 play of the same name by Samson Raphaelson, which itself was adapted from one of his short stories titled "The Day of Atonement".
The film depicts the fictional story of Jakie Rabinowitz, a young man who defies the traditions of his devout Jewish family. After singing popular tunes in a beer garden, he is punished by his father, a hazzan (cantor), prompting Jakie to run away from home. Some years later, now calling himself Jack Robin, he has become a talented jazz singer. He attempts to build a career as an entertainer, but his professional ambitions ultimately come into conflict with the demands of his home and heritage.
Darryl F. Zanuck won an Honorary Academy Award for producing the film; Alfred A. Cohn was nominated for Best Writing (Adaptation) at the 1st Academy Awards. In 1996, The Jazz Singer was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry of "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" motion pictures. In 1998, the film was chosen in voting conducted by the American Film Institute as one of the best American films of all time, ranking at number ninety.
I would like to pay tribute to the world-famous jazzman Louis Armstrong because I have always loved him, but several times this year I have experienced happy moments with his music. Rest in Peace.
But my dear friend Denis, I must say he is a genius, young and talented an authentic Frenchman and a jazzman. I saw the Sheikh Arab clip of him and his group which is very interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_eAmU8uZUc&feature=youtu.be
The French and the Europeans and the Westerners are different people, they are wonderful. I congratulate them for their perception of the world around them. In my opinion, it is very beautiful and admirable.
I wish my dear friend Denis the best in work, activities, art, music, and life.
Thank you!
Vestland- Norway
1- Please present yourself: (Name, education, Civil status, and...)
.My name is Denis Girault, I'm 32 years old and I live in Bordeaux (France). I've been a musician since the age of 6 years old and I've been a professional musician since August 2013.
2-What is your artistic specialization?
.I am a jazz clarinetist specialized in Old Jazz: New-Orleans, Swing & Gypsy
3- When and how did you become interested in this field of art?
https://denisgiraultjazz.wixsite.com/denisgirault/biographie
.At the age of 7, I became passionate about the clarinet. After a classical cursus at La Teste de Buch’s conservatory school, I discovered during adolescence all the aesthetics that this instrument could offer.
Then, it was while attending the local JazzMen that I literally fell in love with New Orleans jazz.
After several trips to Louisiana and a few tours in France and Europe, I decided to devote myself entirely to music.
4- Who was your motivator?
https://denisgiraultjazz.wixsite.com/denisgirault/biographie
.Like I mentioned answering the previous question, I was motivated by all the local Jazzmen I had the chance to meet, play with and who shared their passion for New Orleans jazz.
5- What was your parent’s reaction?
.Before becoming a professional musician, I was an accountant. When I told my parents that I wanted to turn my passion into a profession, they were not surprised because they saw that this was what made me happy. At the same time, they were a little worried but they supported me because they had confidence in me (I thank them a lot).
6- When started you such as a professional artist-musician?
.For about 10 years now, I've always had contracts as a musician. Even when I was still an accountant, I would play on my spare time. But I've only been a professional musician for the last 4 years.
7- Are you thankful and happy because of your activities as a musician and Jazz clarinetist?
.I am indeed very happy to be a musician today. I find that I am very lucky to be able to live from my passion even if it implies a lot of sacrifice.
8- How you see the view: Music, Orchestration, Jazz, art and culture?
. In France, there exists a system for the world of entertainment managed by the state, called "intermittence", which allows us to be financially compensated when we are not working, like between two concerts. This system allows us to work in more comfortable conditions than many other countries.
I hope that in the future, people will realize that they are also lucky to be in a country where culture is within everyone's reach. I personally think, that we cannot live without culture including music, theater, etc...
9- Can you become one part of the cultural movement for motivation in youth or the new generation in your country and so then?
.« Dans la vie nous ne sommes que des passeurs » is a saying I keep in mind, which roughly translate to “We live to pass on our knowledge”.
The transmission of music is something that is close to my heart because if I hadn't been lucky enough to have relatives (family, teachers...) who taught me to appreciate music, I wouldn't be where I am today. That's why I like to give clarinet lessons from time to time. I find it very important.
10- How can you help our world become a better place to live?
.At my level, I try to offer the audience musical moments, allow the spectators to escape and give them joy at the moment of a concert.
11- Have you more word to say or suggest for our readers?
* My Website: https://denisgiraultjazz.wixsite.com/denisgirault
* My musical background:
- Claribol Stompers -> https://youtu.be/B9ZAi_PjBwI
- Denis Girault New-Orleans Project -> https://youtu.be/G_eAmU8uZUc
- Memories Jazz Trio -> https://youtu.be/sgUyfXkf85s
- Louisiana Jazz Duo -> https://youtu.be/k-WiOqe_WCo
* Groups, I play in as Sideman:
- Jazz Chamber Orchestra -> https://youtu.be/X4g1PaDWZcA
- Sir Cat’s Quartet -> https://youtu.be/UBjMwGGY4Ac
- Perry Gordon &His Rhythm Club -> https://youtu.be/adq5MbLtWuA
