Mr.T-Bone

May 2007, Gigi De Gaspari aka Mr.T-Bone,in 1999 he founded the Jamaican Liberation Orchestra, the first italian ska-jazz band, he played with the Bluebeaters, Africa Unite and NYSJE, founder and band leader of the Mr.T-Bone & the Young Lions, he lives in Turin (I).
1) What was your very first musical experience as a child?
- I was 3 years old...with my brother at the guitar and me at the percussion!
2) When did you first sing?
- I was 12...and i sang "Non l'hai mica capito" a famous italian song for the Mom's day!
3) What is your favorite thing in the world?
- Play, get sweat and have fun!
4) What do you think about the Italian ska scene?
- How many hours do you have??...i don't know what i think...actually it doesn't exist, there are many bands who play reggae and ska but currently just a very few are interesting.
5) What is your favorite record of all time?
- My first Marley album..."The Legend"...
6) Who is your favorite singer of all time?
- I have to mention atleast 3...Ken Boothe, Toots Hibert and Desmond Dekker...but if i really have to tell you just one...Ken is the best!
7) Who is your favorite singer or group of the last 10 or 15 years?
- Nice question...in the today scene i will say with no doubt "The Slackers"...so, Vic Ruggiero.
8) What was the best show you ever saw as a spectator?
- The Abissinian...the most emotional show ever
9) What show as a performer would consider your best and most enjoyed?
- Ljubliana, Slovenja...02/08/2007...Mr.T-Bone and the young Lions!
10) If you had to live on a desert island, what 3 things would you take?
- My wife, my trombone and my pets!
11) Tell me one realized dream, and one to realize.
- Live playing music...and live playing music...
12) If you look back to the past what do you see?
- Many sacrifices, hard chose, and many sadisfections!
13) Did you imagine yourself as you are today?
- More or less...but with less belly...ah ha ah...
14) What is your favorite food?
- Rice, in every way!
15) What do you are looking for in a woman?
- Comprension and complicity
16) pacs (Italian rights for every kind of couples who leaves together)
- Right, so right that we shoudn't even talk about....
17) One trip that you would like to do
- 2 mouthes in Mexico
18) What was your best trip ever?
A trip in the deep south of the USA, Lousiana, Missisipi, Tennesee...looking for the roots of the black music, jazz, blues and soul...and i touched with my hands the reality of this culture, his flavours,smells, contradictions , I saw the places where this music has born and listened to the music in those places in the way it should be played in the place where it must be played!
19) What are some of your projects for the future?
Have a child and play alwais more...2 things that is difficoult to do together...ahah
20) Tell me 2 regrets you have about the past?
One regret is that I didn’t continue to study because I would have done something in musicology. Another regret I have is that I didn’t dedicate enough time to the people I love.
21) If you weren’t a musician what you could be?
- I would probably be a dog trainer...that's what I did before to became a musician.
22) What do you would like to leave musically speaking, and to who?
- I would like to leave to the next generations the love for the music and the happines to do what it make you feels good.
23) What and who are the inspirations of your music?
I would have to say absolutely all the old lions between the 60s and the 70s in Jamaica...especially the Skatalites, Toots and the Maytals and the Wailers.
24) What original song of yours do you like the most?
- "You Must Say" because if I can call it this way, it has been my first "succes" and every time we play that song live I always feel a big energy between the people and the band.
25) Since you first album you changed the musicians quite often...why? Bored?
- Mostly because I'm deeply searching for a sound and in this way to work you have to change and experiment.
26) Who do you dream to play with?
- Bob Marley
27) What is you dream ultimately in life?
- Play in every corner of this world with my band...THE YOUNG LIONS!
Mr.T-Bone myspace:http://www.myspace.com/mrtboneblog