Matyas Gayer Interview

Recently I received the piano trio CD „Westbourne Park“ from Matyas Gayer trio. Matyas is a hungarian pianist who lives in London. Please check his website:

 

Matyas Gayer

 

Matyas has its own unique style which is rooted in the tradition of jazz piano. As you can read, many piano players influenced him.  What like most about  his new CD is that the music never gets boring with swing and also wonderful ballads. Matyas playing is very precise and in the same time very emotional. You can feel that his music comes from the heart.

 

Please enjoy my interview with Matyas in the next section.

: Hello Matyas thank you for having time to answer a few questions for jazzreporter.com

 

How your album Westbourne Park came about?

 

MG: I had a vision to record the last few years of my originals and arrangements with two of my favourite musicians I met on the London jazz scene.

 

JP: What do you like most about Dave Green and Steve Brown?

 

MG: Their musicality, spirit and how they sound together

 

JP: What do you like most about the trio format?

 

MG: I’ve been playing in a piano trio setting since my teenage years and was influenced by some of the great piano trios in the history of jazz. I like the freedom and the interplay with the rhythm section.

 

JP: How did you choose the songs for this album?

 

MG: As I mentioned above, this is a selection which artistically concludes my last couple of years.

 

JP: Are jazz standards important for you playing?

 

MG: Yes, very much so, I love playing the jazz tradition but aiming to interpret them my own way.  I find it really important

 

JP: In on your songs you played a Hommage to Cedar so he is your major influence inspiration?

 

MG: Yes, Cedar Walton is a big inspiration for sure, amongst many others of course.

 

JP: What are you other musical roots?

 

MG: The first I’ve ever heard was Hungarian folk music my mother sang for me when I was a little child.

 

I studied classical piano and fell in love with composers like Bach, Chopin, Bartók, etc.

 

I came across jazz very early, my father was a jazz fan and showed me a couple of records. I fell in love with it, and always wanted to be an improviser from then on.

 

JP: Who is Mr Harris?

 

MG: Barry Harris, jazz pianist and educator, another big influence of mine. Dave and Steve happened to play with him for 16 years on his London visits.

 

JP: You like the big jazz scene in London?

 

MG: Yes, it's a buzzing scene with a lot of really talented people and a nice, healthy energy.

 

JP: Are you plannning to perform in europe with your trio

 

MG: Yes, I’m planning that next year.