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Taking Jazz to a new level with RJ Benjamin, An Interview by People magazine

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Unseen Star Trapped In Herself	Posted: Jan 2 2005, 02:21 PM
Administrator Group: Admin Posts: 291 Member No.: 1 Joined: 30-October 04	Born from a multi-hued society, jazz has always united people across the divides of racial, religious and national bounderies. Jazz has made powerful statements about freedom, creativity and given identity to a number of people both at home and abroad. Now, new kid on the block RJ Benjamin takes jazz music to another level. On his debut album Who I am, RJ shows you why jazz music is an essential part of the human experience. How did you get involved in the music industry? I've been writing songs ever since I can remember. I wrote my first song when I was eight years old. It was titled Life in a Mirror, and was inspired by Micheal Jackson's classic Man In The Mirror. Since then, I'ce written over 50 songs. How long have you been teaching? I studied music at Allenby Campus and when our lecturer left, I was offered the opportunity to teach music. I hace been teaching music for the past five years and am presently teaching at the National School Of The Arts and lecture at Allenby Campus School Of Contemporary Music. How did you get your big break? I was very lucky to have met the right people, at the right place, at the right time! You have introduced a new feel to South African jazz, combining it with rap, R&B and a splash of Kwaito. Why did you specifically choose to specialise in jazz? Every album needs to have an identity. I've tried every form of music but my passion lies with soul and jazz music. Some of South Africa's best artists are featured on your album, such as Pitch Black Afro, Ishmael and Amu. That is quite a strange and unique blend. Were you surprised that the album proved to be so successful? Restless was produced by Bongani Fassie, but we needed to change the music to suit the style we were going for and since I've always been a big fan of Pitch Black Afro, he was my first choice. He gave the song a different groove and mix. The fact that he can mix African languages in his rap is unbelievable! With regard to Ishmael, he's got such a raw, rare talent and I'm a great fan of his. As for Amu, we hit it off from the start. What target market is your music reaching? Most of the feedback I've recieved has come from fans aged 35 and older, but younger people have started listening to my music. If you can relate to love, then it won't be hard for you to relate to my album. Do you have a favourite song on the album? What do you need is my favourite song. Often songs take time to develop, but this particular song was finished in just 10 minutes. From the beginning, I knew it would work and it did! What is it like to be RJ Benjamin right now? I'm in a situation where I believe that I've earned credibility where credibility was due. Not only am I credible as an artist, but also as a songwriter, music teacher and a producer for other artists. If you could work with the best jazz musicians in the world, who would you choose? Locally, I'd choose Judith Sephuma, who I met on Project Fame, and Gloria Bosman and Simphiwe Dana. Internationally, I'd say Al Jarreau and Bobby McFerrin are my artists of choice. Which song do you wish you'd written and why? Unfinished Symphony by Massive Attack is the one song that is close to my heart. I have my own favourite songs and regardless of changes in the music industry, that song has remained on of my top favourites. What are your hopes for the future? I want to help discover and be part of the developement of fresh, young, talented and upcoming artists. Thanx to People Magazine -------------------- .:!iReality is a nice place, but I wouldn't like to live therei!:. Alicia Keys - Best RnB Artist I LUV USHER'S ABS RJ Rocks

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