Iman Spaargaren has a positive message in difficult times
January 5, 2021
Iman Spaargaren
Iman Spaargaren is a saxophonist, (bass) clarinetist, composer, arranger, manager and teacher. He plays in groups such as Eyeman All Stars, Undercurrent Trio, StarkLinnemann Quartet and Pelican Three. His 2019 CD "High Tide Low Tide" with the Undercurrent Trio featuring guitarist Guillermo Celano and drummer Marcos Baggiani was enthusiastically received in the national and international press. In a slightly more distant past Iman was a Young VIP.
Iman Spaargaren talks about Sly Fly at the Amsterdam Muiderpoort
YOU JUST RELEASED THE ALBUM SLY FLY. WHAT KIND OF AN ALBUM IS AND WHAT WAS THE REASON?
With Sly Fly I wanted to make an attempt to write downright positive music. A sound that radiates lust for life. Music at times danceable and now and then a more serious undertone.
Although the album was actually already recorded and mixed and the artwork of Carolina Altavilla already went to the printer, it still took almost a year before I released it. The outbreak of the Corona virus took away the momentum for release and the possibilities for a series of concerts with this new record. The reason I'm releasing it now is that I like to make a positive statement in these difficult times. And yes, if to say too: “I still exist, people!”
As with many other creatives, the Corona crisis has not limited me in my creative process and I am excited to speak up. Even though I probably won't be able to give concerts in the coming times, or only on a limited scale.
“… hip jazz music with solid grooves”
TELL SOME ABOUT SLY FLY'S BAND AND MUSIC
With Eyeman All Stars I have gathered a nice group of Amsterdam musicians around me: Dirk Balthaus plays the piano and fender rhodes. You probably know him from his collaboration with the fantastic singer Sietske Roscam Abbing. Dirk knows better than anyone how to make an intense improvisation in any musical context. A true improviser!
Hendrik Müller plays the double bass and thus gives the groove something undeniably organic, a nice "oumphf". Efraim Schulz-Wackerbarth puts down a strong beat in which I always notice how well he listens to the bigger picture and plays to serve the collective.
Eyeman All Stars combines hip jazz improvisation with solid grooves. Inspiration for the songs comes from all kinds of corners of this world: danceable jazz and related grooves from artists such as the unsurpassed saxophonist Eddie Harris, 70s funk, Miles Davis, New Orleans style (think: The Meters), Sly & the Family Stone, John Scofield, etc. You will hear Motown influences, samba and lush soundscapes.
Iman Spaargaren: ”… I like to change my sound according to the current situation”
BY WHO WERE YOU MAINLY INFLUENCED?
Sound wise I'm a big fan of Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, Eddie Harris, Chris Speed, Branford Marsalis and new people like Jason Rigby. I've listened to Coltrane a lot.
For this album I naturally pull it towards a somewhat funkier sound but in general I like to to change my sound according to the current situation. I've been playing on a fantastic mouthpiece for ages: a Selmer soloist from the 60s. That gives me everything I want to hear now: soft, strong, abrasive, whispering, "classic", bluesy, funky and pliable sounds.
Furthermore, I can say that I am an open minded person, I listen to everything that comes along: Prince, Shostakovich, Chopin, Duke Ellington, Schubert, Jimi Hendrix, Ravel, Nina Simone, Keith Jarrett, Miles Davis, etc etc. And all that music always brings me something. There is so much beautiful music that you can enjoy and get inspired by!
HOW DO YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR OWN STYLE?
I love to mix jazz phrases with funk / blues and outside stuff and even avant garde into a coherent picture. I like chafing against the chords. I am more of an emotional person than a very technical player. I find very 'brainy' music with a lot of time changes, etc. and very abstract lines like Steve Liebman's interesting, but I don't necessarily have to play like that myself. At most, I will use ideas from it for my own things. Such brainy stuff is therefore not included on this album. Groove and positive vibes are central!
LIVE OR ONLINE?
If the Corona measures allow it, we will play at De Roode Bioscoop in Amsterdam and City of Wesopa in Weesp at the end of January. Can't wait until then? Check out the links to buy Sly Fly!
Photography: Ranjani Nirosha
Iman Spaargaren will play in De Roode Bioscoop and City of Wesopa at the end of January
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SLY FLY
