On Thursday, April 4^th, from 7:00 PM, Big Band Radio will be performing a concert called The Magic of Funk. The guests of the orchestra conducted by Simona Strungaru are vocalist Berti Barbera and bassist Adrian Ciuplea. We find out more information about the event held, as usual, at the Radio Hall from an interview with Berti Barbera.

Once again, we are facing an original project. I don't remember ever having a funk recital of such magnitude in Romania. What can you tell us about this project? How did you come up with "The Magic of Funk"?

I feel spoiled because I get to talk quite frequently about some premieres I'm participating in and checking off dream after dream. About thirty ago, I dreamed of hearing my voice on a vinyl record and afterwards, of singing with a big band and now I am taking part in a new project, proposed by a big band-this is important to know. It is a concert organized by Big Band Radio which is conducted by Simona Strungaru who is also, to a large extent, the initiator of this project alongside her husband, the trumpeter Sebastian Burneci. Most of the time, they are the ones who come up with such ideas where the audience gets to know the essence of certain well-established musical genres. They first did "The Magic of Swing" and now "The Magic of Funk", which suits me in all regards, whether we talk of intentions, of preferences and so on.

So, I and bassist Adrian Ciuplea will be performing as special guests in this concert and I'm glad that I get to practice certain styles of interpretation and to sing certain tracks that I wanted to.

In all aspects, this event is worth seeing at least where our enthusiasm of facing a new repertoire and approaching music in a more relaxed fashion is concerned, because people usually perceive the notion of funk as eccentric. Funk is like a colorful filter through which we try to pass various tracks masterfully composed by others.

I'd like you to shed some light on the notion of funk-for those that are still uncertain about it-in relation with jazz, because we are ultimately talking about a big band of jazz.

Funk usually implies a broader way of resonating with music. It's hard to put into words because, just like "swing" or a good part of blues, it's something that is rather felt. And it's difficult. But it is clear that "funk" is something that you both hear and feel.

… and has a natural connection with jazz.

It has a natural connection with jazz because they both come from the African-American culture. This type of music can bring people together by putting them all in a good mood through rhythm, first of all, through the whole connection of the orchestra and through that pulse you feel that makes you move.

By saying "putting them all in a good mood" I think you've anticipated the atmosphere on Thursday at the Radio Hall. In the end, can you elaborate a bit on the chosen repertoire? Generally speaking, what will we be listening to during Thursday's performance?

As I've mentioned, this is a concert organized by Big Band Radio. They will perform some instrumental songs which apply the rhythm and style of funk on certain tracks, such as Buddy Rich or Miles Davis. Adrian Ciuplea and I will be guest-starring separately. Adrian Ciuplea will be performing themes such as Tutu by Miles Davis and The Chicken by Jaco Pastorius which are heavily based on the bass typical of funk. I will be performing a couple of songs that received the treatement of funk: there's one by the Beatles, one by Phil Collins and a few classical ones by Tower of Power- one of the most renowned names of the Californian funk scene, a band from the '70s. We will of course evoke James Brown and I will also have short interventions during which I'll be talking about what funk means and the reason why we want this kind of manifestation to be considered a distinct genre, with an important role in shaping the history of music, just like any other genre.

In the end, from all other genres which make you enjoy music at its fullest, funk has its own story that people should be aware of. It is born out of tradition, community. It is full of energy, of attitude and hope… So, there are things which we all need and which we should feel together.