New appointment with interviews with the protagonists of the Conad Jazz Contest: today too we have an important guest: Stefano Bragatto, president of the Artistic Jury, called to select the overall winner of the Contest following the live performances on the stage of Umbria Jazz and Director of Radio Montecarlo.

Here’s what he told us:

 

 

 

A life for the radio, even his first experience at just 14 years old. How has radio evolved since then? What are the aspects that still fascinate you today and how have you managed to maintain high the values that had inspired you at the beginning of your career?

Radio is a versatile medium, always evolving, capable of adapting perfectly to new technologies and new trends! Nonetheless, he has been able to keep his immediacy and his relationship and closeness to his listeners alive over time. I’m passionate about radio because every day is different and this is a stimulus to create an editorial product that is always in step with the times.

 

Radio Monte Carlo is increasingly the radio of jazz. What relationship do you have with jazz? What do you like and why?

I owe my closeness to the world of Jazz mainly to Umbria Jazz and Radio Monte Carlo. It’s wonderful to experience the ten days of UJ at 360°, see the artists rehearsing before the performance, being able to meet them when they pass by our station for interviews and perceive from them their passion for jazz, a music that I consider timeless and that will never die!

 

You are President of the Artistic Jury of the Conad Jazz Contest. It is the jury that decides the winners following the performances on the Umbria Jazz stage. And she announces the winner live! What do you like most about your role in the Conad Jazz Contest?

For me it is truly a great honor to be able to be President of the Jury. An honor that adds to a great responsibility: that of announcing the winner live on Radio Monte Carlo! It is a highly anticipated moment for the participants who every year stand in front of the Radio Monte Carlo station in Corso Vannucci and discover live who the winner of the Conad Jazz Contest is.

 

We were saying that the Artistic jury has the task of evaluating the 10 finalists and identifying the overall winner. What are your personal judging criteria? What must a jazz musician have to deserve her vote?

I am lucky enough to be supported by a jury of musicians and experts with whom I compare myself while listening to the performances at the Carducci Gardens. Personally I really appreciate the kids’ willingness to dare and experiment. The originality of the performance and the songs is the element that I take into close consideration during the evaluation phase.

 

Do you have any advice for the participants of this year’s contest? Anything you would like to hear more from the contestants?

I don’t have any particular advice. I like to see and hear artists on stage who manage to convey passion and good vibes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Director! We can’t wait to hear you announce this edition’s winners!

 

In the meantime we will tune in to the frequencies of Radio Monte Carlo (go here to find out the frequencies in your area)