Take Five With Frank Herzberg

Meet Frank Herzberg:
Frank Herzberg has appeared on nearly 60 CDs as a bassist, plays regularly with his own trio, and with the Marta Karassawa Quintet, John Stein Group, and the André Juarez Quartet, among others. He works also as a studio musician and producer for instrumental music in Brazil. He appears regularly at festivals giving concerts and workshops about improvisation.

During his carrier he has appeared onstage, in the studio, or in workshops with Horace Silver, Antonio Sanchez, John Stein, Zé Eduardo Nazário, Ithamara Koorax, Bocato, Guilherme Franco, Teco Cardoso, André Juarez, Torsten de Winkel, Bob Moses, Jacques Schwartzbart, Steve Hass, Cornelius Claudio Kreusch, Andre Pawelski, and Chris Allen, among others.

Frank Herzberg works as a acoustic bassist in various orchestras in Brazil, including the Symphonic Band/Sao Paulo, Jazzsinfonic Orchester/Sao Paulo, and Orquestra Mediterrania, where he has accompanied well-known musicians like Dave Liebman, Hermeto Pascoal, Egberto Gismonti, Guinga, and Airto Moreira, among others.

Instrument(s):
Acoustic bass.

Teachers and/or influences?
Charlie Banacos.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
I was seven years old and started to play drums.

Your sound and approach to music:
I try to stay creative, play with great musicians and keep my ears open.

Your teaching approach:
Repetition, discipline, leaving space for creativity, a clear method.

Your dream band:
I worked with great musicians back in Boston, like Steve Hass, Antonio Sanchez and John Stein but i would love to play again with Jacques Schwartzbart—a great saxophonist—I love his last album.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?
I try to mix jazz with my musical experiences in Brazil, where I live.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?
I guess keep loving and playing jazz, living on short money and teaching.

What is in the near future?
I'm promoting my new CD, handmade (Frank Herzberg Trio), with drummer Zé Eduardo Nazário and pianist Alexandre Zamith.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
A jazz fan.

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