All about that bass.
By Chris Dennison
One of the leading lights of the thriving Valencia music scene is, without any shadow of a doubt, the bass player Ales Cesarini. I talked to him about his life and work
CD Ales Cesarini. That doesn’t sound very Spanish. Where are you from Ales?
AC Alessandro Cesarini Farrow, actually. My father is Italian and my mother is half Italian, half English and although I was born in Valencia, I spent my very early childhood in Rome. In fact I still have Italian nationality.
CD When did your family come back to settle in Valencia?
AC I don’t actually remember. I was still very young when we came back.
CD How did you first get interested in music?
AC I taught myself how to play the guitar at home because my parents used to listen to music every day and I wanted to be able to play the songs I liked. Then I discovered reggae because my mother loved it and I soon got hooked. That’s when I bought a bass guitar and started to practise and practise.
CD Is that when you started to grow your dreadlocks?
AC No, I’ve only had the dreadlocks for about 10 years.
CD Ok, so you bought the bass guitar and practised hard. What happened then? How did you change to the double bass?
AC Well, I started playing the bass guitar in reggae bands and rock bands and then I thought it would be a good idea to learn more, so I started looking around and the cheapest option was to study at the Conservatory. The nearest thing to the bass guitar I could study there was the double bass, so I chose that.
CD How long were you at the Conservatory for?
AC I was only there for about three months and then I left, but by that time I had a double bass of my own so I could teach myself. Since then I’ve tried learning at various music schools but I’ve always dropped out. I much prefer studying on my own.
CD Now, I know you mostly as a jazz musician. What is it that attracts you to jazz?
AC It’s the spontaneity, the excitement of knowing that you are creating something unique as you play.
CD And how would you rate the jazz music scene in Valencia?
AC I think it has improved a lot and I think that’s because the musicians themselves have worked hard to create new spaces for live music within the city.
CD And can you make a living from your music?
AC Fortunately, yes. I’m very lucky in that respect. I work hard but I’m doing what I love to do and that’s what counts.
CD On a more personal level, what are the places you most enjoy playing in?
AC La Viti, Bigornia, Jimmy Glass, En Babia, Café Murnau, and a few others. The ones I’ve mentioned are the ones I know best.
CD And what’s the best gig you’ve ever done?
AC There are so many good memories that I can’t think of any one in particular. Sorry.
CD No problems Ales, thanks very much for your time.
AC It’s a pleasure.
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