This upcoming weekend, April 12 and 13, US blues harmonica artist Sugar Blue and Italian American bassist Ilaria Lantieri Blue will perform at Blue Note for a special event. This remarkable couple is inseparable in both life and music. Sugar Blue received a Grammy award in 1985 for Best Traditional Blues Album and boasts an extensive list of collaborations and relationships in the industry. Despite his accolades, Sugar Blue is not an aloof star; he immediately impressed me as warm and approachable, passionately discussing his life's purpose in simple terms.
Ilaria Blue, an accomplished bassist, also shines in her additional role as manager and problem-solver, bringing a warm presence to the stage. At Blue Note, they will present Journey to the Roots, a unique show that features a diverse array of musicians, instruments, and genres that have come together through their intriguing journey. I highly recommend securing a ticket, inspired by the delightful conversation I had with these two incredible individuals about music, universal themes, and more. It's not every day you encounter people like them.
Greetings to both of you, and welcome back to Beijing! I initially thought you were visiting from overseas, but I learned you actually moved to China in 2018. What prompted that move? SB: Yes, that's correct; we've been based in Shanghai since then, although we were stuck for a couple of years due to the pandemic. The idea took root when we first visited China in 2017, and I realized it was the ideal place to delve into the origins of the harmonica, which dates back to around 1,100 BC in the form of the hulu sheng (葫芦笙), a traditional Chinese instrument from rural Yunnan that consists of a bundle of bamboo pipes attached to a curved pipe.
And that’s exactly what we pursued, but we ended up falling in love with the country during our initial exploration. Shanghai felt like home, allowing us to connect with many kindred spirits and wonderful individuals from varied backgrounds. This diversity is also a key aspect of our lineup for Journey to the Roots in both shows, in Shanghai and Beijing. Ilaria will be on bass while I take on vocals and harmonica, alongside our drummer Ezra Thomas. You can also expect to see James Cowan on piano and keyboard, guitarist Sergio Montaleni, Ling Bo with his sheng, and Solo Diabate contributing West African vocals and instruments including the balafon, djembe, and kamale'ngoni.
ILB: We often joke that our band resembles the United Nations of music. While we encounter challenges with our native languages, they dissolve in the face of our universal language—music, which we all fluently speak.
I’m eager to see you all perform. Could you share more about Journey to the Roots? It's an ongoing and multifaceted project, correct? SB: Absolutely! This project aims to be more than just a concert series. Journey to the Roots investigates the profound connections between blues, jazz, and world music. There’s a research aspect I mentioned earlier; we’re collaborating with ethnic musicians in Yunnan to learn more about the hulu sheng, which is the first free-swinging reed instrument and a true predecessor to the saxophone, oboe, and even accordion. For the concerts, we will showcase a modern version of the instrument, known simply as sheng (笙), played by the talented Ling Bo, who I previously collaborated with on the track "Shanghai Sunset" from our last album.
In time, we hope the resulting EP will capture the essence of our travels, collaborations, and musical discoveries—China has a remarkable musical heritage. I aim for this project to reflect my growth as an artist, merging my signature blues sound with the global influences I've been fortunate enough to experience during this journey.
ILB: With this spirit, the documentary will add another layer to our quest. We're so fortunate to collaborate with amazing people; we can’t just record this journey on the fly with our phones! We’re working with a company in Yunnan for filming and awaiting the logistical next steps. In Shanghai, we also have support from another great company, One Music. This endeavor is ultimately a business, but it truly is rooted in friendships forged through shared interests on the road. And by the way, if anyone from CCTV is reading this interview—reach out! We would love to have your backing!
What an extraordinary journey and challenging task indeed. Recently in Shanghai, you opened the Sugar Blue Music Club, an American cocktail bar and live venue with a cozy wooden interior reminiscent of fond memories... ILB: We invite everyone to visit us! With this venue, we wanted to tell the story of blues through Sugar Blue's rich legacy. The photos lining the walls reflect memorable moments spent with legendary musicians and figures like Spike Lee, Willie Dixon, Peter Fonda, and Mick Jagger. It’s all beautifully woven together over the
Journey to the Roots with Sugar Blue, along with his wife, bassist Ilaria Lantieri Blue, and others, will take place on April 12 and 13.