"Since I was very little, radio has always been present in my life. My grandfather listened to it all the time and it's a habit I inherited. In my adolescence, I constantly put it on, programs like Sábana con chinchetas or Polvo de estrellas, by Pumares. But right now I don't usually listen to anything specific, the dial dances a lot, political topics bore me quite a bit, which is what oscillates the most, so it's better to put on some Big Joe Turner."
Well oh well floods the space of the Bar, late in the afternoon, while pianist and composer David Giorcelli asks for "a negroni, like those prepared by Hugo del Milano or David del Jazzman, but first, to warm up, a shot of ratafia, like those served at Paraigua."
He defines himself as "a hard worker with a positive attitude" and claims to detest people who complain. "Lover of my city, Barcelona, and my passion, Piano Blues and Boogie Woogie," which has changed and shaped his life and which increasingly demands more energy, effort, work. "And you do it delighted, because it fills your soul and doing what you love has an incalculable price."
A universe made of notes and chords, of themes and study, but also of clubs, venues, festivals, trips to other countries, new contacts with musicians, managers and programmers: "The range is always expanding, stress increases, but, I insist, I do what I love."
A life based on sometimes difficult decisions, but which, in the musician's words, one must know how to make "without fear, if you know they are for your good and that of those around you." And he quotes a phrase he read long ago and that stayed with him: "Intuition is yourself sending you a message from the future."
The school of the stages
The patron looks back, to the beginnings of his career now nearly a quarter of a century ago. "The jams at La Boîte sharing the stage with musicians now considered renowned, such as the Puertas brothers, Álex Zayas, Blas Picón or Reginald Vilardell. That was my school and there I formed my first band, The Hipsters, with Albert Cariteu." The next stop on this memory train are "the wild nights at the London Bar, alongside David Hot Pocket, Chento, Merchan or the guys from Tota Blues." Shortly after he would play with Predicador Ramírez, The Walking Stick Man or "the legendary Gatos Negros," until, fifteen years ago, he launched his own project as a leader: David Giorcelli Trío.
With four albums to his name, David highlights "having performed in Laroquebrou, considered the largest Boogie piano Festival in the world, on two occasions. I was also very excited to perform with Alejo Stivel, from Tequila, in Bilbao and, recently, at Rosa's Lounge in Chicago with my good friend, harmonica player and singer Rob Stone." At the moment, he is finishing mixing and mastering his fifth album as a leader, "recorded live at the historic club in Paris, Le Caveau de la Huchette, founded in 1946 in the Latin Quarter of the French capital, and featuring Little Jordi on double bass and Albert Escudero on drums, we also have the collaboration of one of the great Rhythm & Blues saxophonists in Europe, Drew Davies."
"The jams at La Boîte sharing the stage with musicians now considered renowned, such as the Puertas brothers, Álex Zayas, Blas Picón or Reginald Vilardell, was my school"--- And then of course, there's Wax & Boogie, which you lead with your partner, Ster Wax, and with whom you've already released five albums.
--- Yes, that is still my strong project! This year we have traveled to incredible places like the Azores, Portugal, Cyprus, Athens, France and, of course, amazing festivals in Spain like Sarria no Caminho, Aracena, Rock & River or the Bilbao Blues Festival. This year we have planned Germany, Luxembourg, France and a possible exotic destination yet to be confirmed.
To this frantic activity, we must add the program that the musician directs on Ripollet Ràdio, Blues Barrelhouse, every third Wednesday of the month. "An enriching experience in all aspects." And another small great addition to that incalculable price of dedicating one's life to what one loves.
A city with a great sound quarry
"I would like more support for culture, for local music. Perhaps we are not aware of it, but in Barcelona we have a spectacular pool of musicians, both Jazz and Blues. It would be great if we supported them by going to concerts, both by local musicians and by those who are passing through," claims the parishioner, who does not hide his deep regret when news arrives of the closure or sanction of a venue "where live music is being programmed, where people can socialize, where there is a piece of the city's culture." And he laments that, often, this is the result "of a complaint from some sad neighbor who thinks they live in Montseny and doesn't realize they are in Barcelona, where we all have a place and more spaces that allow many people to earn a decent living: musicians, waiters, sound technicians, etc. It is outrageous that institutions do not mediate to reach an agreement before sanctioning."
"I would like more support for culture, for local music. Perhaps we are not aware of it, but in Barcelona we have a spectacular pool of musicians, both Jazz and Blues"The need for musical spaces in the city takes him back, with a mischievous smile, to an anecdote that occurred on December 28, Holy Innocents' Day, about six or seven years ago: "I shared a post on Facebook announcing the opening of a new venue in the Ciutadella area, so musicians who wanted to perform had to call a provided phone number and ask for Mr. León. The phone in question was that of the Barcelona Zoo." There were many who called and remembered the musician's progeny, who now laughs heartily, before resuming his panegyric to a city "that fills me with energy: its bars, the jamsof Wednesdays at the Rock & Roll Café, food, watching a sunset with my daughters in Barceloneta or eating a longaniza sandwich at Xampanillo. Blues and gastronomy, is there anything better?".
--- Well, now that you bring it up, we have everything here for a delicious dinner: menu, à la carte, tapas, sandwiches, portions, combo plates. Delicious.
David Giorcelli finishes his negroni and strokes his goatee to the rhythm of Two loves I have by Big Joe Turner, before declaring:
--- They say that variety is the spice of life, so a combo plate is a safe bet. As long as it has a good aioli or, failing that, mayonnaise, it's enough to make me happy.