I fell in love with the guitar at first sight. I can’t really say why, but as soon as I heard its sound, I fell for it.
Music is alluring and challenging. Music offers me something new to try almost every day.
As a kid I had to work hard to get good grades so that my parents would let me play music. My parents’ generation didn’t want their kids to become musicians.
I’ve never contemplated doing something else, and despite my degree in law I was never tempted to become a lawyer.
Talent and effort have made me who I am. Genes play an important role, too: My father plays music as a hobby, my mother loves listening to it.
The gifted ones, if encouraged and educated, can progress very quickly. They don’t have to learn and try everything by themselves.
Self-taught people usually have an original and unique style. Just look at Ad Carabao, Assanee & Wasan or Sek Loso. Their sound is very distinct due to the struggles they had to go through.
Because of music academies the alternative music market has grown. Before, there was no jazz or classical—only pop music.
There are more channels to create this alternative music segment. There are two radio stations playing jazz all day, so new compositions have channels they can be promoted through.
Jazz music in Thailand is still in its infancy, though. Most jazz bands cover international songs, so there’s not much original music.
My latest album is quite eclectic: I mix jazz with Thai music, and what comes out is a Thai-style, serious jazz album. I tried to expand my audience by adding more lyrics. I hope more people will be able to identify with the songs, which deal with life, love and other things that happen around us.
I’ve admired Wes Montgomery for a long time. He’s the guitar guru as far as jazz is concerned. His sound and tone are incredibly soulful and original.
The Thai saxophonist I like best is Vichai Ueng-amporn. He never stops learning, despite his age.
Learning keeps us young. If we stop, we can’t communicate with those in the younger generation, only with our peers.
My ultimate goal is playing with a band I like. The band I’m with now is pretty much what I’ve dreamed of. Every member can play and appreciate almost every style of music.
There’s nothing more fun than playing music. I’d be happy if I could travel around and just play here and there.
