The 4th International Jazz Festival, organized by Eastern Promotion and the Georgian State TV and Radio Broadcasting Corporation at the end of June and
the beginning of July of this year, brought immense joy to Tbilisi residents. Our capital was honored by visits of such world stars as Tania Maria, Al Jarreau, Bob
Mintzer, Dennis Rollins and Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis.
   The 30th of June was the day of Yokahama and Brazil. Together with Tania Maria we celebrated the victory of the Brazilian football players in the Big Philharmonic Concert Hall.
   We recorded this exclusive interview after the concert.

   For almost thirty years Georgian music lovers have enjoyed the creative work of an outstanding musician Tania Maria. Her albums, such as “Taurus”, “Bluesilian” and the latest “Europe”, are very popular in Georgia.
   It was Tania Maria's second visit to our capital. During our exclusive interview, she spoke enthusiastically about Georgia and the Georgian audience.
   This time Tania Maria came to Georgia together with a famous Brazilian band Viva Brazil. The Big Concert Hall, packed with the audience, grasped rapturously the masterly performance of the musicians.
   During our conversation Tania Maria told us that she was educated in law and her family was very eager that she followed a lawyer's career, but Tania Maria gave preference to music. For three years she appeared in the clubs of San Paolo and Rio de Janeiro. After that she travelled to Europe, to Paris, where she continued club appearances. During this time she gained experience and popularity; her talent of singing and musical accompaniment merged more harmoniously.

   To our question whether she has ever been engaged in a project where she performed only as a pianist together with another vocalist or vice versa, Tania replied:

   “Very seldom. I do plan such an experiment in the “Techno” project where I am going to appear before the listeners only in the role of a singer.
   Generally, I can't imagine myself without an instrument. My singing and piano playing are like a married couple: they are deeply in love, complementing each other; they speak a common language… This merging is a spiritual thing for me; music itself is spiritual… It is impossible to explain music and the gift of music as phenomena. Music is like love, which endows my body and soul with a tremendous power.”

   You are a composer and mostly you perform your own compositions. There are certain exceptions, though, when you use other authors' music. Being a musician myself, I am curious to know when this usually happens. Is it that the mood also contributes to it in the course of a concert?

   “No, this is not the case. In addition to my music, I usually perform other authors' musical compositions as well and, generally, all this is planned in advance.  These are the authors whose music appeals to me very much.
   As for the music that I usually listen to, I am very fond of Ravel, Debussy, Rakhmaninoff and Stravinski. I also love Stevie Wonder, Gilberto Gili, George Benson, Edith Piaff, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra…”

   You travel a great deal. Is there a difference among the audiences in different countries?

   “Yes, there is. The difference between US, Japanese, British, South American and Georgian listeners is rather big. One can say that the further south you find yourself, the warmer the audience. One can also manage to “warm up” the Germans though. Everything depends on the concert hall where you appear.
   From my perspective, the Europeans, as distinct from the Americans, appreciate improvisation more. They even seem to be freer in expressing their emotions, but it is difficult to “lighten them up” from the start. When performing on the stage, I experience 80% of joy myself and give out the remaining 20% to the public. I love it when the audience dances and sings together with me.”

   Is it true that upon your arrival in Tbilisi you have become a Magti GSM subscriber?

   “Very shortly I will become a Tbilisian as well...”