PIERRE HUARNIZ FROM PERU WITH LOVE!
Born in Pueblo Libre, Lima, Peru, PIERRE HUARNIZ is not only an amazing guitar player but also a painter and teacher. He grew up in a musical environment because his family loves music. His uncles and grandpa always gather to play Peruvian music especially with the rest of the family.
Pierre started playing bass when he was 12 years old. He studied classical guitar, played with different bands and participated in many projects, the most important being Across the World (2008) jazz duo, playing with Viktor Sethy (Hungary, Pierre Huarniz Trio (2008-2009) with Steve Cournane on drums (New Zealand) and Mario Cuba on bass (Peru). Also collaborations with the singer Theresia Thylin (Sweden). What the funk! Is a fusion band with Javier Linares on drums, and Luis Linares on bass (both Peruvians). His last project is a Quartet with Ken Ichikawa (drums), Ruben Romero (sax), Carlos Betancourt (bass).
Pierre, thank you so much for participating in this project. It took quite a bit of time but finally we made it and I’m truly grateful. You are an amazing guitar player and everyone should get to know and hear you. Let’s get to your article.
No. 1) What is music to and for you?
Music for me is one of the most sincere way human beings have to express themselves. It is something which you can really feel through the air, it is the reflection of what you are or want to transmit. You can say many things and it is really personal, that’s why listening to it or playing it is never the
same. You can feel new sensations when you listen or play one song over and over again. You become more intimate with it. It’s just like a person, you can get to know IT better and better with the passing of time and the contact you have with it.
The world is surrounded by music that’s why the need to create it , play it, dance it, or listen to it has been in all of us since the existence of life. It affects our lives, I could use many other things to describe music but for me Music is my life, it is something I don’t want to ever be apart from.
Music is like a time tunnel trip, you cannot see it but you can feel it, and as a consequence, achieve or make new things. I remember I used to paint listening to my 6 favorite albums at that time, and that perfect match of arts fulfilled me that much more than once I forgot to eat or sleep and it was not until many hours had passed that I realized it and had an apple and took a break.
No. 2) What inspires you?
Inspiration comes to people I love and care for like my daughter, my family, my friends. Also I feel inspired by things or people I admire such as other great musicians, artists, writers, pictures paintings, a good book or movie.
Sometimes I focus on the process of creation more than the cause and that depends I think on my mood or the things I am into at that moment, like thinking of a situation and suddenly melodies start to sing in my mind. Like one of my songs I made for my grandpa (I considered him my father) I made it when he was at the hospital trying to survive brain surgery caused by an accident. At the end I think every melody tell us its own story.
No. 3) When you are playing, creating, where does it take you (spirit), where does your mind travel?
I remember being on a bus or walking in the street alone and I started humming a melody according to what I heard or what the environment or context made me create. It’s like a story I see and try to say it musically. Incredibly it comes in totally different keys and time signatures. I know it because I have recorded my humming for some of my songs then recorded other harmonic lines with my voice so I can figure out how it moves. And the results are Amazing! I see the notes dancing or I just look at something or the path I’m walking on, I sometimes remember many things, I start thinking of flying or being just happy and rested. Now please don’t think I am kind of crazy trying to explain it. But it is weird trying to explain it.
When I’m improvising it’s a totally different story, the audience of the clubs or places I ‘ve played give a totally different sensation I prefer to just close 
my eyes to explore the melody or the chords or just the sounds that are given and I go wherever the rest of the band takes me. It’s like an adventure, an amazing trip that is totally different every time. It will always be a new experience.
No. 4) Do you think music, visual art and health are related and if so, how do you see that?
Of course but I think they are related just because we feel and surely if your soul feels good, you’ll feel healthy, besides it has been proven by many people that have been treated with colors, music, painting, and not only observing but trying to be part of it as well.
No. 5) When you are playing for yourself (not performing) how do you feel?
This is a very intimate moment. It is when I am in the process of understanding what the author of a song wants to transmit with the harmony and melody or if is a tune of mine, I try to develop the musical ideas and try to give and set an environment to the song or make a new version or re-harmonize it. It’s a very special an appreciated time for me and my guitar, I explore her sounds and make her sing with all the passion of my soul.
No. 6) When do you do your best work? (environment, alone, with others, night, day, etc)
I don’t really have a special environment because I remember having these musical ideas when composing in a bus, walking on the beach or the street, resting, looking at something waiting to see or discover more details of it, beauty, in an art gallery, I don’t have a special time, but yes all this things happen when I’m by myself. It’s a moment I dedicate to music, and no matter the environment or place, at that moment it is just the music and me. About the time I don’t have any particular preference.
It all depends on the fact that I have to feel comfortable, but the context I mentioned before is probably responsible for the configuration of my songs.
No. 7) Do you identify with your music and if so, on what level?
I think every composer identifies with his or her music, but it’s true that one can be the worse judge, that’s why I always try to improve my knowledge
about music and about myself, and with the passing of the years I believe this identity and the power of transmission will be stronger.
No. 8) Does playing music help you connect with your higher self, whatever that is for you?
It actually does, I guess that is because music is like a Therapy and makes laughed, meditate or even cry. So yes, I am so attached to music it is part of me or luckily I am a tiny part of it.
No. 9) Many people feel that school systems kill creativity, how do you see that?
Well, it’s hard to say. I think it depends on what the essence of the person is; besides Creativity is not a subject, neither a formula, it’s just a way to make others or just yourself feel or appreciate something in a special and unique way. So maybe a school could systematize the artist in technical things but in the end it is up to the artist to keep on creating from the inside not from parameters.
No. 10) If they do kill creativity, what could be a simple solution?
Art is free so artists should go wherever their inspiration or simply their communicative trends of themselves to art go.
No. 11) What is jazz for you?
Jazz has very particular concepts, where improvisation takes place as probably the best tool to transmit and interpret a song. One of the greatest characteristics of jazz is the freedom you have to explore new sounds, melodies while improvising or re-harmonizing or just having fun over a well known standard. Another great thing would be the elasticity of rhythm. It’s amazing how different a tune can be from one time to another.
Along with the transformation of jazz since Miles Davis and Bill Evans times, it’s been a great journey to music to move into a more modal and more complex harmony and melody and I consider that takes to time to understand or assimilate the language especially if someone wants to learn to play it.
Pierre, thank you for this most interesting article. You have been most generous in sharing your thoughts and your talent. Until we work together again, keep well and be blessed!
TO THE READER:
Please visit Pierre’s link to hear more of his music. Your comments are truly appreciated. ENJOY!
http://www.myspace.com/pierrehuarniz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi7fv2B2n0Q
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Comments
I sure hope,that the World will soonly realize,that he is one of the very best jazz guitarists ever!!!
I met Pierre while we were both working as English teachers. He is a very sensitive person and generous as well, all I wish for him is success on every plan he plans to take. You really deserve all the best Pierre, just work, work and work HARD on what you really LOVE!!!
Really like the video. Great talent for sure.
Enjoyed the article and reading your views also.
What could be better…listening and reading…thanks
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