Our next featured artist for Jazz Generation Chats with the Cats, is Argentinian Saxophonist, Julieta Eugenio.
From a small village in Buenos Aires called Necochea, Julieta spoke about her love of her hometown and her musical introduction. "I really loved growing up there, it's a city with a lot of Nature. I don’t come from a Musician’s family. My dad loves music; he plays a little bit of guitar, but no-one used to listen to jazz in my house. I went to a Music Institute in Necochea to learn Piano at the age of 9 or 10".
Despite beginning on the piano, Julieta first ventured into jazz when she picked up the saxophone as her teacher had asked her to join the big band.
"When I finished High School I moved to the big city to study Music. I met a lot of great musicians in Buenos Aires, there is a very nice scene over there. I graduated from Manuel de Falla Conservatory where I completed my Jazz Undergraduate Studies."
On moving to New York, Julieta found it tough to be away from family and friends in Argentina, her first time leaving the country and being in the US. "My English wasn't good so naturally it was pretty tough at the beginning. But I constantly reminded myself why I was here which kept me going. And then once I started visiting the clubs, I couldn't stop. There were so many amazing musicians! New York has always been a dream for me; to come to this city and learn everything about this music, the culture, the places where everything started. It’s such a historic place. So many masters, jazz clubs, the music is in the air. I remember feeling it as soon as I arrived."
Another reason for her move was the draw of being able to play and study with such high calibre musicians. "I did my Masters degree at Queens College where I studied with Antonio Hart, Jeb Patton, David Berkman, Michael Mosman, Tim Armacost and more. It was an amazing experience! New York has and continues to teach me so much. I am always growing as a person and musician in this city."
Julieta was awarded in the International Women in Jazz competition 2017 with the "SIJ trio" consisting of New York friends Inbar Paz on Bass and Sarah Slonim on Piano. "Everything started with us getting together to hang and learn some tunes. And then we decided to get gigs as a group and then of course to participate at the Women in Jazz Competition which turned out to be a very beautiful experience."
So - who's on the record player this month?
"So many! I am always listening to the Masters a lot: Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Charlie Parker, Warne Marsh, Don Byas to name a few. Also I have been listening to a lot of Joe Lovano recently. He has such a creative approach with melodies. In this Covid-19 times I have been enjoying a lot of Classical Music too. I love Jaqueline Du Pre, I feel she has such a deep emotion when she plays, it’s really beautiful. To name a few Composers: Bach, Chopin (Nocturnes), Sibelius Concerto for Violin."
"Quarantine and isolation are not easy but I'm trying to stay positive. I have been writing a lot of music (working on a new album that I'm looking forward to recording and hopefully touring) and practicing. I'm running a lot and more importantly reflecting about life, connecting with nature, poetry, animals, inner wisdom and peace." "So I know Rob Duguay, he is a good friend of mine and an amazing musician. He told me about KEYED UP! and Jazz Generation. I've really had very nice experiences with it. It's vitally important to have these organizations offering support to the arts and really caring about artists. It's hard enough being an artist in this world so to see the help they offer is beautiful. I urge them to continue and spread their message.”