Italian composer Albert Hera interview circle singing, epic Jazz, and more

The presence of Albert Hera is careful. When I meet him in a humid evening in Lalbagh, Bengaluru when I meet him in a measured, thoughtful manner when I meet him in Lalbagh, Bangalore. Our conversation begins with more humans, not with notes or technology, but with some more intestine.

During his movement after visiting Italy’s Consulate in Bangalore, he saw a procession to take a dead man with music, flowers, even fireworks. “It was shocking. And yet, it was beautiful, ”the practical Jazz composer, which is a protright of the legendary Bobby McFerin.

This is Albert for the first time in India. He finds it heavy – not in the way of chaos, but in the sheer intensity of experience. He finds a lot of life here, even in death.

For Albert, the music has never been about sound. This is something deep, something that moves the language.

“In September 2002, I attended a Bobby McFerin concert,” he launched a story. At that time, Albert left the song. He was working in another profession. But that evening everything changed.

“Bobby McFerin invited people on stage for an improvise. I was the last person to join him. He hugged other people. But he greeted me with a namaste. It was almost like an invitation. ,

The next day, Albert resigned from his job. It was an invitation that he could not ignore. He went away from his career and returned to music.

Then, in February 2004, he dreamed of the Italian Mystic Francis of Asisi. “He asked me to meet him on August 2 that year. He said that something will be unexpected on 3. “Therefore, Albert went to the Assy in place of St. Francis. On 3 August, before returning home, he entered a church to offer prayers to thanks.

“I was on my knees,” he says, the voice is falling to a fate. “And then I saw my authority. Bobby McFerin was kneeling next to me. ,

“From that moment, my journey took me to India, Bengaluru.”

Sound of sound

Albert’s work is as much about human connections as it is about music. The experience of Indian music was a circle singing at the center of his workshops in Shoonya and in Bangalore, a practice that symbolizes both spontaneity and community. “Circle singing is something that I met as a mission to share with Bobby McFerin and share with more people,” he explains.

The concept is misleadically simple: a group of singers stand in a circle, with a feature – often Albert himself – leading them through improvised music phrases. These motifs are layered and created, which take inspiration from Jazz, folk, African and Latin traditions. But it is more than a technique; This is an experience. “You can’t reproduce the same thing again,” says Albert. “Even mistakes contribute to creativity.”

The circle holds deep importance. Albert withdraws it to human communities as soon as possible, when our ancestors formed circles on the ground as a way to ensure safety. “The moment they decided to live together on the ground (after arguing), they formed the circles,” they say, “this circular formation allowed them to maintain visual contact with each other and communicate effectively. It was one of the first social structures that provided security and safety.”

Today, in its workshops, the circle continues to work as a place of trust, cooperation and shared experience. Unlike traditional music education, where to learn hierarchy and structured progress, circle singing allows for a more inclusive, organic approach. “We are all learners on this earth and cannot be divided into the capacity of different levels,” they say. “The teacher should meet the student where they are and get up together.” His philosophy closely aligns Ubuntu’s African concept: “I am because we are.”

Albert Hera | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Story with jazz

Albert’s deep discovery of vocal traditions inspired him to develop epic Jazz, a style that defies the classification. “The epic is about the Jazz statement and the scene. This is the improvise and construction at this moment, “he explains,” unlike traditional jazz, where you can have a favorite number repeatedly, my performance is about using everything within me at that moment to create a different experience every time. ,

While his cooperation with Bobby McFerin was a significant turn, Albert’s journey is now his own. “When we completed our tour in Germany, Bobby told me, ‘Now you will be able to do it alone. Your journey is your own now. “Instead, he further enhances” humanity, trust and sense of connection “.

Albert’s work is not without its challenges. “The discipline that has become a habit can sometimes control your soul instead of freeing it,” he believes. Their goal is to pursue their boundaries, to ensure that freedom remains at the core of their music.

Perhaps the deepest connection of his visit came to his father. Albert said, “Before he died, he told me that the most beautiful thing he saw in me was my happiness when I sing,” Albert recalls, “This is the greatest happiness I have felt as a musician.”