A new jazz season will start on Monday evening in the Small Hall of the Romanian Athenaeum. The opening concert will feature trumpeter Sebastian Burneci and his quartet, starting at 7 p.m. More information in an interview conducted by Viorel Grecu who spoke with Sebastian Burneci and his fellow band members: drummer Marcel Moldovan, bassist Adrian Ciulea and pianist Johnny Bica.

Sebastian, you're returning to the Romanian Athenaeum, this time as the musician opening the new season. You're have a premiere project, please, tell us more about it.

It's a quartet I've wanted to put together for a long time, and I'm glad we've finally managed to get organised and bring it all together. Perhaps not entirely by chance, I'm joined by three musicians I've known for a very long time, with who I've literally had the pleasure of playing for decades. This is a project that means a lot to me. The music consists of my own compositions, some older and some more recent.

Marcel, you are the drummer. How do you fit into this project?

Marcel Moldovan: I really resonate with Sebastian's project, because I find so many musical styles I enjoy in it, from jazz, to rock, or funk, they all come together, and I can express myself very well by playing his music.

Adrian, you've been collaborating regularly with Sebastian lately, but in broader settings, such as Platonic Band and the Big Band. What's it like moving to this more intimate combo format?

Adrian Ciuplea: It's challenging and the audience will have the opportunity to see how a small group explores new and expansive sonic possibilities, in fact, it's beyond what we can hear from a classic jazz quartet, because, let's say, we're playing around with a broader and bolder sonic palette. I don't want to reveal too many details about the sound we'll be using at the concert, but we're trying to push beyond the comfort zone familiar to both us and our audience. When people hear the words ''jazz quartet'', they already have a certain sound in mind. From that perspective, this project is particularly interesting.

Johnny, you're a veteran of Sebastian Burneci's projects, and the two of you have quite a history together. What do you feel you've gained as a musician over all these years of playing together? And, from your personal perspective, what new things do you think Sebastian's new combo will bring to the table?

Johhny Bica: Indeed, we've been playing together for many years and in various line-ups, I'd say, from my point of view, that we developed a very strong musical connection. I'm delighted that we're playing together in this new configuration, and I believe it will bring a more experimental and freer approach to Sebastian's compositions. I think those who come to the concert will enjoy a unique musical experience, both in terms of sound and improvisational approach.

You've performed in various line-ups over the past few years. Should we also expect an album, perhaps with the very band you'll be playing with on Monday, because it's been a while since your last album released under your own name.

Sebastian Burneci: Yes, you should expect one, in the sense that the concert is being recorded, and if it turns out the way I hope it will, this recording will become my next album.

What other plans do you have for this autumn? We know you also organise the jazz season at the Goethe-Institute. Could you give us a preview of what's coming up this autumn, I know the season has already begun, but what else is in store?

Yes, at the Goethe-Institut, we're now entering our third season, which, at least this year, will be dedicated to the youth orchestra we've formed, the Romanian Youth Jazz Orchestra, in what we call a ''little big band'' format. It brings together ten musicians aged between nine and seventeen and serves as a kind of residency for RYJO. We call it a ''little big band'' because it's a large ensemble, but not quite a ''full big band''. The concerts take place monthly, and from one performance to the next, we'll present new material and ''works in progress''. Essentially, we've created a platform where these young musicians can express themselves and develop their skills in jazz and creative music.

In the meantime, on Monday, we have a concert at the Athenaeum featuring some experienced musicians.

We look forward to seeing you there!