10 October, 2014
Date, place of birth and place of residence:
I was born on February 5th, 1968 at S.Elpidio a Mare (FM) Italy and i live in Morrovalle (MC) Italy.
Website:
How did you ended up in jazz photography, starting from jazz or from photography itself?
Listening to jazz music at age 15, a photographer from the age of 18 years old. During this long period the two arts, music and photography, traveled without ever coming in contact, only about 4 years ago, listening to a concert by Paolo Fresu and Uri Caine has struck the spark and from that moment I mixed all creating my style of jazz photography.
Is jazz your main activity as a photographer?
I consider photography an art in general, and for each of us an expression of our mood. Personally photography jazz fails to move me like no other situation, so I do my main activity.
Do you have any other activities related to jazz?
I work with some jazz festivals and Italian and i’m the official photographer of the jazz festival in Tunisia and I'm planning for 2015 personal exhibitions in ITALY and in Tunisia.
Do you stay in touch with the musicians that you photograph?
Yes, with some artists are continually in contact.
How important are social networks in your work?
Social networks are an important reality in the era of globalization and the digital era, used with common sense are a great vehicle to raise awareness of their work. Personally I use FACEBOOK (https://www.facebook.com/andrea.rotili) and TWITTER (https://twitter.com/AndreaRotili)
In jazz words, how would you label your most recent work: mainstream, fusion, free, avant-garde…?
I prefer jazz fusion, so my way of photographing and work is very similar this kind of music.
Can you tell me 3 features of jazz photography that make it so interesting to your eyes?
1. The expression through the face, eyes, hands, feet;
2. The instrument
3. The light
Three key components to a great jazz photography
Do you think that there’s a relationship between the quality of the music in a concert and the quality of the photographs you take there?
Yes, the music creates emotions, photography is the expression of them ... in an evening of great music and atmosphere, i can capture the soul of the artist and the feeling with the audience.
What side of jazz photography is more attractive to you, the creative side or being a jazz reporter?
both are very important and traveling together: the report informs and helps the reader or anyone who is looking at the picture to identify themselves in the place and at the moment when it was taken, the creative side emphasizes the artist's soul.
Some so called ‘jazz festivals’ diversify their offer in favor of other styles of music. Do you think that this trend is a thread for the consistency of jazz photography?
The "pure" jazz festival is gradually disappearing in favor of festival-influenced pop, soul, r & b to be able to attract more viewers. In this way we will not have more 'atmosphere that is breathed in American jazz clubs and as a result the "pure" jazz photography will become increasingly rare because even the giants of jazz music are disappearing.
Can you recommend a contemporary jazz photographer?
There are many co-workers who I admire very much, it's hard to make the list, but would start by photographers interviewed before me in this beautiful space of your blog.
Thanks, Andrea