Emilio Solla: Uncovering Music Already There

AAJ: Has there been anyone—musician or otherwise—who has expressed an admiration for your music that you wouldn't have expected?

ES: No, because the people I know always say nice things about my music. But one time Maria Schneider liked my big band album, and she wrote an email to me. That was fantastic. Maybe Paquito was another back when I first moved to New York, because I met him through Pablo Aslan. We were playing in a festival in New Jersey, and Paquito came to listen because he was good friends with Pablo and I was there. I gave him my Suite Piazzollana album. I said to him you should listen to that one. I think you're going to like it.

That album was a game changer for my career. I was still in Europe and lucky to get that team. The Suite is really original and complex and good. It has everything. I am currently playing it with La Inestable de Brooklyn. I had a lot of confidence in that album and was sending it everywhere. When Paquito came to meet me, I said "I'm very honored to meet you," in Spanish, of course. The next thing I know, two or three months go by and I opened the email one day and it's from Paquito saying, "Emilio, I'm in an airport. It's the third time in a row that I'm listening to your CD. I can't fucking believe it. The music is incredible. The way in which you mix the tango with jazz, I want to record that first piece of your suite. I would love it if you make an arrangement for my quintet and come to record with me."

Then he called to say he was coming back the next week to New York. We went for a coffee and that was it. We made some kind of partnership, and we've done some things together. I wrote for him a few times and now we have some plans looking forward. Some of these people like Vince Mendoza, when they say something is happening, that has a level of respect. Otherwise, they wouldn't say anything.

AAJ: Who will play on the record you are working on? Will it be the same nine as before?

ES: No, it's the same structure but different players. I have Rodolfo Zanetti on bandoneon, Sarah Caswell on violin, Mike Fahie on trombone, Tim Armacost and Alejandro Aviles on saxophones. John Bailey's playing trumpet. Edward Perez is on bass, and Rogerio Boccato on drums.

AAJ: Have you ever had the opportunity or desire to score a movie?

ES: I would love to. I haven't had the chance yet, but many people tell me that my music is cinematic So, I think I would do good in movie scoring, but it's a different area. You have to have contacts and probably go to L.A.

AAJ For you, that would again be working backwards, seeing the movie first and then writing the score.

ES: Yes, yes. And then I would have a purpose. I would write in a specific direction. I wrote a short movie once, many years ago, animation, which was fun. I think it's still there on my website in the projects tab. I would love to get a commission and do some work there.

AAJ: That would truly be something, to watch a movie with a soundtrack that you sculpted. But until that time, the second record by La Inestable de Brooklyn will be welcomed. Please remember to send those two new songs.

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