By Alba ȥla
Wonderful sounds, a playful performance on stage, a friendly jazz trio from Denmark lit up what would have otherwise been the conventional dragging Monday evening. Susi Hyldgaard (singer, piano, accordion), Jannik Jensen (Bass) and Benita Haastrup (drums) put together a wonderful show at the Academy of Arts dragging the audience by all their senses to experience the flirty sounds of jazz that leave no emotion aside. The concert was organized by the Embassy of Denmark, under the special care of H. E Ambassador Niels Munk in order to foster the cultural ties between the two countries and will hopefully be the first one since the talented trio plans to come back. Susi, Jannik and Benita spoke to Tirana Times about their attachment to jazz, their impressions of the Albanian audience about the challenges of balancing work, fun and family.
Friends in jazz
When I meet them, the three head-turning and inspiring artists are enjoying the sun at a rooftop cafe overlooking some of terraces of the block. They appreciate the warmth since recently it has been snowing in Denmark and the springish temperatures are a welcomed change. They have been knowing each other for 20 years now, back from the days when they were studying music and were new to its’ magic world. The three of them are from the capital, Denmark. Despite playing different instruments, they have all chosen jazz because as they all agree jazz allows for an expression of all emotions, leaving nothing aside. Whereas different styles of music can have certain boundaries, jazz plays with sounds and cerates diverse harmonies that address our feelings. Sometimes it’s the mood of the audience that dictates what comes along in the performance and the flexibility of all this makes this genre ultimately irresistible. Susi considers herself “a musician in the heart” and has discovered the singer in her quite late. “It is almost by chance that I am a singer,” she says. “Somehow I never liked my songs performer by other people because they did not convey what I had in mind about them.” Her sometimes soothing sometimes provocative voice raised multiple applauses from the public.
I tell Benita is the most interesting drummer that Albanians have seen because a girl drummer is not a common thing for us and she laughs it way. “I hope that this will inspire some girls to carry on with this,” she says. She has brought an array of smaller instruments that add color and warmth to the music and make her style unique. There are many girl drummers in Denmark and they all add this feminine side to the drum.
Albanian audiences and artistic lives
The idea to come to Albania came to them when after performing for a large group of diplomats back home they got invited to the Sarajevo winter Festival. Wishing to see more of this region they put Tirana on the list though they admit of being intrigued by playing elsewhere such as in Durres. The logistical preparation in that case would have required more time hence Tirana because their Albanian stage. But not their last. At least they are considering visiting the jazz festival in the summer though between running family lives and globe-trotting in different performances planning becomes quite a hassle. Susi says she feels torn between her baby and her music while Jannik brushes this comment away saying that it is important to enjoy what you are doing at the moment. Benita cannot help admitting that kids in the streets make her miss her own.
Asked about the reaction of the Albanian audience they seem all pleased. Susi clarifies that she is glad the Albanian culture includes lively folk music which prepares the audience for lively provocative performers. “Albanians like powerful emotions and like expressive art.” Her special communication with the public turned the concert into a real show and she has to explain that it is needed to establish closer link and make the audience feel included, engaged. “if you open up to them and tell them ‘I am yours’ they wont sit back all stiff but come forward and welcome you.”
Their next concerts are in Denmark, Germany and France. For the time being, as the Danish Ambassador, H. E Mr. Munk said, we can raise our glasses and toast ‘Skoll’ (Cheers, Norwegian) and offer our salute to the music masters as a sign of gratitude. And wishing that they visit us again: Skoll! and play it again Susi!
