2- RESPONSIBILITIES, REHEARSALS AND TOURS

On stage, you’re not often in apron. Is that a choice or the usual way to do?

I’m not in apron because I’m only a musician. It’s a usual way to do and perhaps also a personal choice. The spectators come to see the artist first. The musicians as the technicians are not taking part in the show for their personal interests, but to be at the artist’s disposal. Studio recordings are something different. There’s a part of creation in the arrangements and in the conducting during the recording sessions. It’s another occupation which is very exciting.

Being band leader means a certain number of responsibilities. Which ones are they exactly? Do they lead you to make decisions?

I always work in close cooperation with Nana. Even if she trusts me entirely, I always prefer to talk with her, whether it be for the musician selection or whatever. I propose to her, we discuss about it and most of the time we agree with the decision to take.

What are the criteria for the musician selection?

Initially, it is necessary to know how they play and if they can do the requested work. Then, if they are free for the tours and make sure they are psychologically ready to leave during one month or two because it is obviously rather hard. A musician can spoilt very quickly a good atmosphere and “scrap” the tour.

Apart the musician selection, what are your responsibilities in the concerts production?

I see about the title selection for the tour with Nana. There are so many songs that the choice is difficult. But as I accompany her for years, I know which ones are more appreciated and those of which sequence is technically delicate. Any way the program varies according to the countries we visit and even during a concert according to the public. If one night, she’s very tired we avoid certain titles vocally difficult. And then, everything must go very fast on stage; a glance and an indication and it changes.

Regarding the instrument rental, I contact the stage manager of the country where we go. I see which ones are available and I choose those we cannot carry on the planes.

Are there many concert rehearsals with Nana? Does it happen that you and the musicians get together to rehearse?

There are many rehearsals with her and without her before and during the tour. It’s a real headache because each time, she wants to change the whole program. We rehearse about fifty titles to select finally only about twenty of them. That’s the reason why we do so many medleys.

Could you tell us about the course of a tour. What is your occupation when there is a concert and when it’s a day off?

On concert dates, we arrive at the theatre three hours before the show for the sound balance and that becomes a real rehearsal. We look into everything that went wrong the night before, and even if the concert was very good, we work on other titles. Nana always wants to do better. Immediately after the concert, both of us, we see what is not fine. The following day, in the dressing rooms, at the restaurant, in the transports or on the phone, it continues. She is the only artist I know who is so perfectionist.

During the days off, if we don’t travel, I try to visit the cities where we are because I am rather curious and always impassioned to see new things.