Andy Emler kindly agreed to continue this series of the famous Proust Questionnaires, slightly revisited in the Couleurs Jazz spirit…
A unique way to take the first steps into the world of these remarkable jazz musicians—artists of our time.
—–=====—–
-For you, what is the height of musical misery?
Calling the “Victoires de la Musique” victories of French chanson, when a large majority remains mediocre in composition (a “minor art,” as Serge Gainsbourg used to say?).
-Where would you most like to live?
Where I live today—where the struggles to exist and to pass on the “good word” are many and constant.
-Your ideal of happiness on earth?
Seeing human beings who are altruistic and full of compassion for life in all its forms.
-For which wrong notes do you have the most indulgence?
Those that can be harmonized—and therefore justified.
-Who are the fictional heroes you prefer?
The Aéropostale pilots, from Mermoz to Saint-Exupéry, from Guillaumet to Emler.
-Who is your favorite classical musician?
Ravel, Bach, Stravinsky, Schumann.
-Your favorite heroines or divas in real life?
Simone Veil, Marie Curie, my mother.
-Your heroines in fiction?
All women: Arab, Black, and all those who have fought and are still fighting for their freedom and their rights.
-Your favorite painter?
Kandinsky.
-Your favorite jazz musician?
Chick Corea.
©Photo Marion Duhamel
-Your favorite quality in a man?
Altruism, kindness, generosity.
-Your favorite quality in a woman?
Altruism, kindness, generosity.
-Your favorite virtue?
Altruism.
-Your favorite occupation?
Music—and watching sports on TV.
-Who would you have liked to be?
A great pianist.
-My main character trait?
Naive!
-What do I like most about my friends?
Open-mindedness (which is not a skull fracture!).
-My main fault?
A pleasure-seeker!
-My dream of happiness?
That of a composer whose work is performed around the world.
-My greatest unhappiness?
Seeing humans endlessly repeat the same nonsense: intolerance, racism, wars, etc.
-What I would like to be?
Less overweight!
-My favorite color?
Blue.
-The flower I love?
Peony.
-My favorite bird?
The great tit.
-My favorite prose writers?
Joseph Kessel, Jean Echenoz, Stefan Zweig, Saint-Exupéry.
-My favorite poets?
Prévert, Baudelaire.
-My heroes in real life?
Frédéric Garcia (choir director), Marc Ducret (musician).
-My heroes in history?
Jacques Emler: Aéropostale pilot; Marie-Louise Boëllmann (organist and member of the Resistance).
-My favorite names?
Perseverance, pleasure, enjoyment.
-What I hate the most?
Pedophilia, stinginess, selfishness.
-The reform I admire the most?
Abortion rights and same-sex marriage.
-The natural gift I would most like to have?
Intelligence.
-How would I like to die?
Without suffering.
-My definition of jazz?
Everything is allowed—with knowledge and mastery.
-My current state of mind?
In the midst of questioning everything.
-My motto?
TAG-NV: Tolerance, altruism, generosity, non-violence.
—–=====—–
Interview conducted by Franck Médioni.
© Header and cover photo by Jeff Humbert
RECENT COMMENTS