Esteve Pi: The melodic sense of life

"I've always had music playing in my head. At my mother's insistence, she enrolled me in the music school in my town, Falset. In that school, the natural progression was to join the town's music band, which I gladly did, but without being clear about which instrument to choose...". Leaning against the bar, drummer Esteve Pi takes a brief moment of silence, which he uses to sip a freshly served gin and tonic, after enjoying a house menu.

He looks around. The silence accompanies the moment, because either something specific is heard or music cannot be relegated to the condition of background. He feels comfortable. He smiles and resumes speaking. "Well, actually I did know what instrument I wanted to play, it was the clarinet, but there were already too many clarinetists, so I had to stick with percussion. I don't know if it's because of this that I've always conceived playing the drums as if it were a melodic instrument, I've felt it that way. The purely technical part of the instrument, which is impressive, has never resonated much with me, although undoubtedly good technique is fundamental to do anything."

After his time at the music school and the municipal band, the musician moved to Barcelona at the age of 19, "with the idea of studying music seriously," where he enrolled in the Taller de Músics. At 23 and 24 years old, respectively, he won scholarships to study in New York with Joe Fransworth and Kenny Washington: two legendary drummers who have accompanied giants of the stature of Dizzy Gillespie, Pharoah Sanders, Lee Konitz, Etta Jones or Cedar Walton.

It may have been then that Esteve's talent began to temper, as in the last two decades he has performed all over the world: the United States, Japan, Senegal, Turkey, South Korea and all of European geography, among others, "observing the world, its cultures and its people."

Only music, without other stimuli

"I feel proud to have played with many people who, apparently, had as much fun playing with me as I did with them. And, of course, having made audiences enjoy themselves," he asserts, regarding a very long list of jazz talents with whom he has shared the stage.

Johnny Griffin, Phil Woods, Benny Golson, Scott Hamilton, Jesse Davis, Jim Rotondi, Benny Green or Larry Coryell are some of the international luminaries, names written in gold letters and pronounced with reverence, who have greatly enjoyed the melodic percussive contribution of the local.

This extensive list includes great national names such as Perico Sambeat, David Pastor, Ximo Tébar, and Ignasi Terraza. It is precisely with the celebrated pianist that Esteve and the prestigious Greek double bassist Giorgos Antoniou will kick off the Jazz a les fosques series between October 9 and 12 in Room 3 of the Jamboree. This initiative, which celebrates its 25th anniversary with these concerts, seeks to offer the audience a totally immersive experience where only the music matters, without other visual stimuli.

"None of the performances we have planned will be the same," clarifies the drummer, who emphasizes that each one will offer a different repertoire, and the possible collaborations of other musicians will make each session a unique experience.

When shadows overlap lights

"My aunt used to tell me that my great-grandfather would take a week off each year to come to Barcelona alone and attend the Wagner cycle at the Liceu every night. Imagine what a vibrant city that must have been, in its full modernist splendor, with that creative flourishing, both artistically and commercially, with such brilliant architecture... although I suppose the shadows would also be very dark," observes the musician with a grimace of displeasure that erases the smile that had accompanied him throughout the conversation.

--- And that troubled expression?

The patron sips another drink. "It's just that for years I've liked Barcelona less and less. I abhor the tactical architecture, the overcrowding, the lack of control that splashes the entire center, the loss of its soul, the overdose of regulation that seems to only affect those born here, that misunderstood do-goodism that eventually takes its toll."

--- And yet, the number of people who come here is surprising.

"That's it! Look, when I'm out playing around the world and they ask me where I'm from and I answer that I'm from Barcelona, usually the interlocutor reacts with immense praise. Many even tell me it would be the city of their dreams to live in! Then I feel conflicted because I don't perceive it as so perfect... And I wonder if I'm just not aware of things or what!" And with these words, Esteve Pi recovers his broad smile and finishes his gin and tonic.

--- Another?

--- Okay, but only if you join me!