Before we delve into the interview, I am all itchy and can’t wait to tell you about the latest album from the camp of Tomer Sasson. The album is titled “Heartbeat.” This is an album with six exceptional jazz songs. Which is sure to take you on a musical ride through time and space.
One thing I like about the albums is the length of each session, I call it session because it feels like Tomer is sending across a message, he takes his time to play each note, the production is more composition-oriented
Although the songs have no vocals, you can feel the message in every note played. I love all the songs on the album, but one song that had to play over and over again is “Unknown”. There is some magic behind that sound; the synergy behind the instrumentation is mystical, and the drum licks in the background is godlike.
Kudos to Oren Hardy and Alon Benjamini; the album wouldn’t have turned out this well if it weren’t for the dedication of these talented musicians.
The music says a lot about his personality, and in a recent interview with Mister Styx of Musicarenagh, the Tel Aviv, Israel-born guitarist takes his listeners on a ride and schools them about his musical journey and some of the challenges he has faced through his musical journey, he also touched on the main inspiration behind the album.
He began his music career at a very young age. His grandmother taught him how to read and write music and also taught him how to sing. He later took lessons on guitar and stated that it would be difficult to name them all since he took lessons from many musicians, I guess that is why he is this good. This discoveries were made in a recent interview with Mister Styx of Musicarenagh
Join us as we delve deeper into the life of Tomer Sasson
Listen to Heartbeat below
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What is your stage name
I just go by my birth name: Tomer Sasson
Is there a story behind your stage name?
My mother always liked the name Tomer so she called me that
Where do you find inspiration?
Other than in music I find inspiration in good stories and storytelling from almost all fields of life. I love history, philosophy, anime, folklore, psychology, biology, movies, sports and meditation! Among other stuff
What was the role of music in the early years of your life?
I grew up with my grandmother teaching me the basics of the piano. When I was three years old I started taking actual lessons from her but I stopped about 2 years after that. I only listened to music from that point, and by the time I was 12 I felt it was time to get back to playing. This time it was the guitar that sparked my interest, thanks to my older brother who was taking guitar lessons at the time.
Are you from a musical or artistic family?
Yes. My grandmother was a classical concert pianist and educator. She loved spreading love for music as much as she loved playing. Unfortunately she died a little after I started showing real interest and dedication towards the guitar.
My grandfather was a conductor but he severed all connections to the family a way before I was born. My mom’s cousin is a mesmerizing oboe player his name is David Carmel and my 2nd cousin is a great clarinet player. My mother can play a little piano as well as my brother and he can play guitar too. Not professionally though.
Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?
I saw my idols and my friends committing themselves to the highest standards of art and craft. Living your life in such a way that it’s artistic just to simply live was, and still is, beautiful to me.
Playing and writing music both inspires and introduces me to living in a deeper way and thinking deeply. To name a few people who have made such deep commitment and are well known today; Charlie Parker, Dizzy GIllespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Tom Jobim…
How did you learn to sing/write/to play?
My grandmother was the one who taught me how to read and write music. She also taught me how to sing (solfege) but I always loved it. I still do. I started playing guitar when I was 12 and for years I took lessons with many many musicians and guitarists so it would be impossible to name them. Nowadays I am mostly learning from listening to\watching my idols and playing with great musicians.
What was the first concert that you ever went to and who did you see perform?
That must be “the 3 Cohens” concert. The 3 Cohens are siblings who happen to be amazing musicians. They are Yuval Cohen on Soprano Sax, Anat Cohen on Clarinet\Ten. Sax and Avishai Cohen on Trumpet.
They played with Aaron Goldberg on piano, Gilad Abro on bass and Jonathan Blake on Drums. This show was held at a venue in Tel Aviv called “Levontin 7” and to this day I remember how much inspiration I got from this one concert. That one made mewant to get serious with Jazz.
How could you describe your music?
My music is very much rooted in Jazz tradition but is also very contemporary in terms of the sound in which I hear it performed. It is also heavily influenced by modern Brazilian music.
Describe your creative process.
It varies a lot and is mood dependent. Most of the music I write comes from just free playing. Then, if I stumble upon some part that I like – I will record it and try to see where it may want to go.
What is your main inspiration?
My main inspiration is other music, dreams that I have, my relationships with family and friends. Meditation is also very inspiring.
What musician do you admire most and why?
Charlie Parker. He was definitely the turning point in Jazz, at least to my taste. The unique way in which he utilized a concept, any concept and the conception of bebop is my favorite style of music to listen to and work on. His technical ability was truly smooth, his innovative ideas and a passion for music keep his music sound fresh even today. Long melodies full of surprises and true finesse in spelling out beautiful and unique harmonies. Spectacular
Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career?
I am only at the beginning of my career now but my “style” changes and evolves every time I shift my focus on listening to new stuff, I guess. As well it has evolved in the past (more than once) when I changed\improved the some technical aspects of my playing.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
Myself. Procrastination.
What are your interests outside of music?
I love hanging out with my friends, reading and watching videos about history, Meditations reading scientific articles for dummies and playing cards
If it wasn’t a music career, what would you be doing?
Probably an astrophysicist or a comedian\comedy writer. I like getting serious but also share a laugh.
What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?
For me, the biggest problem is this notion that musicians are often underpaid. Some people\companies are very fair. Some aren’t.
If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be?
Buffing up the per-stream payment paid by streaming services to the musicians.
Why did you choose this as the title of this project?
“Heartbeat” is a term that’s charged with many associations. Enough to be both very specific and abstract. Add this to the fact that one of the songs on the album is titled “Heartbeat” and there you have an easy choice.
What are your plans for the coming months?
I am currently planning a European tour with my trio. We will be playing original materials, both off the album and newer music, as well as Jazz standards. We still have open dates so if anybody reading this wants to book us – contact me
Do you have any artistic collaboration plans
I am looking forward to joining my good friend drummer Alon Benjamini with his band. Alon has been working on some great music soon to be released and we have several special concerts to promote and celebrate the album.
Moreover, I am very eager to collaborate with my friends abroad as well as developing new connections with musicians around Europe and the US, both of which I will be visiting for a good chunk of 2024.
What message would you like to give to your fans?
Thanks for your support!
