The Radio Big Band will perform on Thursday, May 7^th, 7:00 PM, together with the renowned blues artist AG Weinberger, who celebrates his 60th birthday and 40th year of activity. He will perform his songs in new arrangements, created by Simona Strungaru, Sebastian Burneci and Johnny Bica."The Best So Far" is the name of the programme, about which we learn details from AG Weinberger himself, interviewed by Viorel Grecu.

60 years of life, 40 years of career, some numbers that must be celebrated in magnificent style, in the truest sense of expression. How did the idea of this project with the Radio Big Band come about?

The idea came about last year, in September, when I actually turned 60. I am one year older now. I met with Mrs. Staicu, the director, and reviewed the calendar; she said no, it is not possible this year. Then I found a date for May with the Big Band, which will be a sensational experience for me.

Now that we're in rehearsals and I'm hearing those arrangements, those "new clothes" that Simona Strungaru, Sebastian Burneci and Johnny Bica designed, I am truly overwhelmed. They give a different character to the songs. I think that's also the point of a song, to be combined through the mind, through the heart, through the experience of all those who participate in tailoring these "new clothes", these new sounds.

"The Best So Far" is the title. Can you give us details about the repertoire? Will it be only your creations?

Sebi Burneci came up with this title idea and I said: "Wow, how cool is this! Let's get the project started." I gave them all my albums that came out. They chose ten musical situations - nine original compositions and one cover. It's a song called "Wang Dang Doodle", which is my adaptation of the famous Willie Dixon song, which Koko Taylor made famous in the '50s. I gave this cover - on my album "Reborn" - a different "coat", a different interpretation, very jazzy… I think Sebi did the orchestration for this and he created a completely different vibe. I told him during some rehearsals: "Well, Sebi, you put so many 'corkscrews' in this song, that not even the 'blues police' could complain."

When we say "jazz police", "blues police", we're talking about that group of audiences or collectors or "experts" who are purists, they don't accept anything that falls outside the standard.

Reflecting on your 40 years of activity, let's explore the key milestones. I guess the starting point for the 40 years is the Transylvanian Blues Community, an old combo you were part of when you were very young. You were a kid in a group of experienced musicians. How do you remember those beginnings?

In 1986 I was 21 years old and, somehow, through a lucky break, I think at the Sibiu Jazz Festival, at someone's house, during those famous after-concert wine sessions, Harry Tavitian started playing Memphis Slim on that family's piano. I also had a guitar and I sat down. And then, he says: "Hey, Tilică" - short from Attila, that's what he called me - "Hey, Tilică, let's play together", "I'm in, Harry!"

I was overwhelmed and honored, I mean it was Tavitian, the great Tavitian, right?! And Stroe Corneliu. And then we were joined by Cătălin Rotaru on bass, who has now become a huge contemporary classical soloist on the double bass and teaches at a conservatory somewhere în Texas. And that's how this little group was formed. We had no idea what would come of it. It was another proposal on the table, so we could enter the jazz festival circuit - which, if you remember correctly, consisted of only three - Sibiu, Costinești and Brașov. And that's it.

And now let's take a time jump, of 40 years, to say that you currently have a fresh album on the market and another one coming up that will be recorded on Thursday evening at the Radio Hall. What can you tell us about these very fresh projects of yours?

Now the stars have aligned like this. Sharing came out about a month ago and I hope that if the concert and the recordings turn ou well, then I think in a few months or a year, this rare and unique material will also come out. So I don't think I'll get another chance to perform in such arrangements with a big band. It sounds very interesting. Very interesting.

One more reason to be at the Radio Hall on Thursday evening, from 7:00 PM, or to tune in to Radio România Muzical and Radio România Cultural for the live broadcast!

I look forward to seeing you all!