Smooth sounds

Italian-born trumpeter Fabio Morgera, right, performed recently at the tiny Rebop Bar on Samsen Road in Bangkok.

When a European trumpeter has his way with classic American jazz tunes, what comes out is a superb balance between groove and melody. It leaves behind a fresh aftertaste of old school jazz music, reinvented. That's what makes Naples-born Fabio Morgera an entertaining and respected trumpeter among jazz aficionados around the world.

Though the 45-year old lost his left hand in an accident when he was four, by age 15 he had mastered the trumpet single-handedly. He could have been a huge jazz star in Italy if he had not relocated to New York in 1990 to learn, live and love the charm of "original" jazz.

The Big Apple is one big jazzy platform where Morgera found a home. He continued playing in clubs, cutting records and collaborating with a string of jazz stars including Mark Turner, Billy Hart, George Garzone and Norah Jones. He has recorded with many DJs like Louie Vega, Mark Farina, Jon Cutler to name a few. His own band, The Groove Collective's release "People People Music Music" in 2006, was nominated for a Grammy for best contemporary jazz album.

Constantly recording and playing and commuting between his Naples and New York, Morgera performed in Bangkok at the tiny Rebop Bar on Samsen Road on January 30, where he was greeted by a handful of jazz fans. Weekend caught up with the maestro for a brief chat before the show.

What are you up to now?

I'm now working with a really great jazz musician Butch Morris and the group I've worked with for a long time The Groove Collective. I also have two different projects of my own.

How did you start with the trumpet?

I tried several instruments and I found that the one that is best to play with one hand is the trumpet. I also have this device to rest the trumpet on my chest, so this makes it easier to play with one hand. Also I love the sound of it.

Who are your favourite jazz artists?

I love them all - Miles Davis, John Coltrane. But there's one trumpet player I really adore; his name is Woody Shaw. He died in 1989, and he wasn't very well known, but he was really good.

Italy has also a big jazz scene. Why did you migrate to America?

I came to America to study jazz, though I went to a few clinics and private sessions back home in Italy. Why America? Because jazz comes from there. All the great jazz musicians are American. I love all the rhythm and blues in American jazz. We have good jazz in Europe and they're very proud of their music, but it lacks these elements which I think are really important to jazz music. Sometimes I bring Italian melody in, but I really like the original African-American jazz rhythms.

How does it feel to be an Italian in New York?

It feels peculiar. I have two passports and I have to homes; one in New York and one in Naples. When I'm in Italy they think I'm American and when in New York they consider me Italian. I work a lot in both places.

What's the jazz scene in New York like?

New York is always good, you know. Even when it seems like nothing is happening, something is there. There are always aspiring, young black musicians that always bring forward the good sounds. They're not in the open where everybody knows, they're in the underground scene. Never a dull moment in New York.

Was it difficult for you to make it in New York?

It wasn't too difficult. At first I played in clubs. I had to wait a long time sometimes, because it's New York and there are many good musicians there. Sometimes you have to wait two years to be in a good club. There are ups and downs, you know. I used to do jazz and jazz/funk and several others but now I only want to do jazz because that's what I love. Sometimes you have to pay the rent and you have to do what you don't really love. And New York is expensive. At the beginning I just had to do a lot of things like salsa, reggae, funk or even house DJs along with the jazz I love to make a living. Nowadays I just want to do jazz.

Does European jazz have a future with American jazz?

They are two different things, they don't go together much. They used to mix a long time ago, like European jazz musicians would sometimes work with the American musicians. But now they're really going different ways. There's not much connection anymore. That's too bad, because I would love everybody to play together.

 Manta Klangboonkrong