JGT: First, please tell us about your most recent projects.
Bireli Lagrene: I just recorded an album with a big band – a tribute on Jaco Pastorius and it was really fun recording it. I really love to play bass too. Next, I’m thinking about recording a new album – but I’m still thinking about it.
JGT: We have seen you over the years play many styles from swing, jazz fusion, post-bop to Django “influenced” style. Many artist seem to specialize in one style yet you have not only mastered a variety of styles, you have performed with the best of each as a peer.
Bireli: I always loved all kind of music and of course I’ve liked to play them all, I’m trying to always find new directions and new inspirations. I listened to so many musicians throughout my life – it had a huge influence on the way I play.
JGT: Can you tell us about Babik Reinhardt? Any interesting stories about his dad you would care to share?
Bireli: Babik started to play guitar very late actually around 14/15 years old; Django at first wanted him to be a pianist in order to be more different from the father and he thought he could make a better living with it. When Django died Babik was just 9 years old and he didn’t have the chance to learn from him. Be the son of a legend was not easy for him, so he decided to play and listen to different music from Django; he loved Jim Hall, Tal Farlow, Jimmy Raney, Wes and he choose to play more modern jazz and we did many concerts together, he was a wonderful person.
JGT: When did you first fall in love with Frank Sinatra‘s music? Can you tell us what it is about his music that appeals to you so much? I know Django was a big fan, he called him a ‘total original’.
Bireli: My father has records of him and I just loved Sinatra from the first time I heard him sing! I dedicate an album to him called “ Blue Eyes” where I sing too in his style, I tried 🙂 Frank was the voice and a one of a kind singer!