Ascultă și dă mai departe (Listen and Pass It On) is the title of a new music-themed book set to be launched this Friday by Humanitas Publishing House. The author is our colleague from Radio România Muzical and musician, Berti Barbera, whom we now welcome at the Romanian Jazz Society in the unexpected role of a debut author. Welcome back, Berti.

I'm happy to be here again, Viorel. Yes, it's true - I'm a very happy debutant, especially since I've just learned that the book is already on the shelves. I don't think you've ever caught me this emotional. I can't wait to get there and see what I've created. It all started with the idea of compiling some of my articles that explore the origins of key albums in pop culture, and it ended when I finally put the pen down, as they say. The book already spans 600 pages. I have no idea how long it would have been if I had kept going, but for me, this is a first step - a bold one - a long-held wish, a dream come true. It's also one of the ways I get to fulfil a goal I've had since childhood: to listen and pass it on. It's an invitation for people to listen actively, to take in as much as they can from what the artist offers, and then to share that - to pass on the wonder, the joy, and the experience. I wrote this book about so many things that made my life richer, and if it sparks interest, I'll definitely continue. I already have plenty of ideas for the next one.

Until then, what can you tell us about the launch happening this Friday? There will be guests and it will take place at Bookfest, right? Any other details?

Yes, it's taking place at Bookfest, at the Humanitas stand, at 6:00 PM. That's when we'll officially launch the book. I'll be joined by Radu Paraschivescu and Dan Byron, and I'm really excited to talk about the book and about music. Of course, I hope as many people as possible - friends, supporters, and anyone interested in the book - will be there. I'd be thrilled to see that I've sparked readers' curiosity. I'm confident there will be enough of us to properly celebrate my contribution to Romania's music literature.

Finally, let's go back to a more familiar role of yours - that of a musician. I see you have a concert coming up at Jazz in the Park.

Yes, on June 7^th and 8^th, during the weekend, I'll be an honorary Cluj native for a bit. I will be performing on June 7^th with the Sebastian Burneci Quintet, and on June 8^th I will debut a joint project with Ada Milea, also at Jazz in the Park. Ada invited me to collaborate on a musical adaptation of Childhood Memories by Ion Creangă. I can't wait! And I'll also be taking every opportunity to launch the book in as many places as possible - I want to make sure people know it will be impossible not to find it!