The radios have helped in this process?
VF: In Madeira yes. Here they always helped me. From the government to the privates. Even before the operation triumph attention. I was known in the circuits of the hotels and bars. People always respected me. Even when I had only the master went to all the radios and they began to play it immediately.
At a national level?
VF: No, never heard any of my songs and I hear radio. In the national radio landscape is another. It is not so innocent. There must be a monetary compensation. Playlist are not what people like, are forced to like it, why? they are forced to listen. There is a massive marketing, there are agencies behind. Many people working on this for a song to be always to be played many times a day and people will sing that product.
You went back to Madeira, because of this?
VF: No, I study in Lisbon, but I'm always here and there.
I notice that you always do more shows. Why?
VF: After the OT always continued to have more shows here. In mainland do not, do a lot of jazz. If we do not have an agent to impose on us is difficult to succeed. I've been too busy with my studies; I think that in time will come if they are to come.
You wrote an opinion article, where you defended a model for the musicians, a sort of association that distinguishes the pros from the amateurs.
VF: No, I have argued that the professional musician to work at home, and that has more talent, have to study and encourage those talents. In the art world, there is a great pride in saying that it is self-taught. For example, I like Madonna. Now imagine that she had never worked, which is not the case, because she is a great dancer and great singer, but let's say that for the sake of the argument and someone said: I want to be like her, because to be like her is just being in the right place at the right time and she never studied, never did anything. I think there's room for amateur musicians, who have another profession, I think is great. But for those who want to work in a place like a hotel or a bar, an amateur cannot earn as much as a professional. The controversy comes here. Amateurs as they do for fun, do not need the money to live, go for half price, and harm the others. The professional will charge 50 Euros, but the director said he paid 20 Euros to another guy, an amateur. It is a vicious circle.
These associations are what you are talking about then?
VF: Sure, sure. 30 years ago we had an association of musicians and now it does not exist, supposedly we should evolve. All hotels had an orchestra, if not a better band and not someone playing keyboards. There was a chart of musicians, a professional with specific music studies was paid x and musician less studies earned y. I do not feel this is a controversial topic. I do not want to be operated by a surgeon who did not progress. So why should I hire a musician who has never studied? If we want to make music of our lives, we must study hard and I do not just mean at the conservatory studying to be a musician, even if it is at home. I know wonderful musicians who study. Do not just press a button on a keyboard. We are professional; we are always in evolution and development. I see my colleagues working in the hotel for several years and all of them study a lot every day. When someone asks for a certain song is necessary to study the scales. Therefore, I support this association, but there is one on a national level.
But it does something for the musicians? I think not.
VF: I also concord. Unfortunately we are a professional group that is not attached, if we join all toke care of each other then it would be important and that's what I want to appeal. This association that exists on the mainland, there is a table that would, if respected, would be for the musician an asset because he could always count on the same amount at the end of the month. One of the two scenarios is possible, there was no music or anywhere, or else there is and everyone wins. What I want above all is that musicians are included, and there are wonderful professionals and we are a few, why we cannot keep it together? There are people whose live is this. They also have a home, food and children to support. We must safeguard the interests of all and of our children in the future, because otherwise what do we do?
What are your future projects?
VF: For now, I will continue to study; I am at the School of Music and continue to teach. I finish the degree in singing and later do a master's degree. Teaching is another passion. I learn a lot more from teaching.
Would you like to do a jazz record?
VF: Maybe if the opportunity arises and the market for it.
Why do you think there is a market in Portugal?
VF: I think that unfortunately covers only a very limited audience. It should not be so, the music is for everyone. Sometimes is hard to produce a CD is more expensive and not worth in terms of sales. It is a type of music that does not get play much on the radio and as I mentioned earlier, people do not get anything cannot create a taste for this kind of music. There is a large audience, however, note that there is an elite, is expanding, but if the opportunity arises I would like to record with Julio Resende is the pianist with whom I work. He is a jazz musician who is a music focused more on the world. Enjoy the many musical styles, with plenty of Portuguese influences. We work a lot this line. My big dream is not a record, but is to be a singer and have live shows. This is good, there's nothing like it.
Who are your references in the jazz world?
VF: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Billie Holyday. Maria Joao, though she is a reference of music in general. It does not need labels herself is a style of music and Dulce Pontes, she is wonderful.
