Interview with Jazz Master Roger Glenn
A conversation about his musical journey, influences, and passion for jazz.
By: Cilla Utne
Roger Glenn
A couple of years ago, I had the privilege of leading a trip to Cuba with blues guitar maestro Taj Mahal and friends. It was a musical and photographic intercultural experience that the 40 travelers will never forget!
We are very excited to be running a similar, yet more intimate, trip to the Havana Jazz Festival this January, hosted by Taj's good friend and bandmate, wind instrumentalist and jazz master Roger Glenn.
We had a little chat with Roger about his connection to Cuba, its people, and its music. Here’s what he had to say:
Cilla: What is your invitation for people traveling with you on this extraordinary journey?
RG: "This is a great opportunity to travel to Cuba and attend the Havana Jazz Festival with me, a third-generation jazz master. You'll see and hear the deep connections between Afro-Cuban music and American jazz."
Cilla: What are your favorite places for music in Havana?
RG: "La Zorra Y El Cuervo, the club around the corner from the Nacional Hotel. Every street corner and restaurant has musicians performing. The Corner Café, where we jammed with Taj and the locals. Every day and night at the Nacional garden terrace. Fábrica de Arte Cubano, an incredible space with different music venues and art installations.We can talk about jazz all day and into the night. There is so much history to share, and this being my fifth trip to Cuba—since the 1980s—I have a deep understanding of the people, culture, music, and dance, all of which I’m very passionate about."
Cilla: What will travelers have the honor of learning directly from you during this trip? With whom have you played there, and with whom might you be playing?
RG: "I'll share my knowledge of Afro-Cuban music and the religious influence of Santería, which is deeply tied to the music and dance.
I look forward to discussing how Cuban life has changed from the 1980s to today. In Matanzas, we’ll talk about the history of the dock workers and the origins of rumba. Hopefully, we’ll meet up with Cuban maestro Bobby Carcassés, with whom I recorded during our last trip in 2016 for his Blues con Montuno album."
Cilla: What would you say to anyone hesitating to visit Cuba for political reasons?
RG: "While we have the opportunity to go to Cuba right now, you can see for yourself that there are no threats to American visitors. The U.S. is the only country enforcing this embargo—meanwhile, the rest of the world treats Cuba as a summer resort."
Cilla: What do you love about the Cuban people and musicians?
RG: "The Cuban people are incredibly warm and welcoming wherever you go. The musicians I’ve played and recorded with are amazing, whether they’re performing on a street corner, in a club, or in a recording studio. The student musicians we’ve met are incredibly dedicated. They are phenomenal players, with fewer distractions than many young students in the U.S."
Cilla: Tell us about the Cuban food.
RG: "I love the Cuban sandwich at Sloppy Joe’s. Beth (my wife) loved the chicken dinner at El Aljibe, served family-style in an open-air restaurant. The mixed-grill lunch we had in Cojímar was also fantastic."
Cilla: What else would you like to tell people who are considering this trip?
RG: "Imagine a warm tropical vacation in January, filled with music, culture, great accommodations, and a group of jazz lovers!"
