Interview • 29 June 2003

On the spot... with Paul Giordimaina

Paul Giordimaina has represented Malta at Eurovision and played at the Malta Jazz Festival. Music is his love and profession and plays at a variety of places, but has been playing at BJ’s in Paceville for 23 years. His secret? He’s allowed to play very freely and to jazz lovers. At BJ’s he plays and jams with established musicians such as Charles Gatt, Sammy Murgo and the whole merry bunch!

Who inspired you to become an musician?
I come from a musical family, but it was my mother that pushed me at the age of five to start classical piano.

When did you become interested in music?
Music was always around me so it was very natural to start from an early age, but my love for jazz started when I was 16 and heard the album by Chick Corea ' Light As A Feather'

What emotions does your music instil in you?
Music reflects my emotions and moods, and being quite a moody person, my music can vary from day to day.

What are your future projects as regards your music?
Well earning my living from music I hope to keep playing as long as I can, and keep composing for other musicians and singers.

If you ruled the world, what would you ban?
Bad music.

What’s your biggest phobia?
Eating fish!

If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?
Go visit my friends and scare them like crazy!

Your best friend would describe you as?
Very moody and sensitive.

The person you text the most is?
My girlfriend.

Someone hands you Lm10,000. What would you spend it on?
Well with Lm10,000 I can only buy a second hand Steinway, which is my dream piano!

If you wanted to impress a lover, what would you do?
Sing and play all night for her!

What do you want to be remembered for?
That my efforts and work in promoting Maltese music in various sectors will be of an inspiration to others that will come after us.

What’s the worst insult one can throw at you?
That they hate my music!

How would you describe yourself?
Very moody but always striving to have inner peace... that’s when my music is at best.

Which movie or song best describes your life?
My Song by Elton John.

Are you a coffee or a tea drinker?
I just drink tea and water all day!

What’s been the highlight of your life so far?
The 91 Eurovision song contest, when together with Georgina we were placed 6 for Malta, and being the supporting act for the great Michel Petrrucciani, at the Malta Jazz festival.

How old do you feel?
Well, as I work in night clubs I have a lot of free time in the morning, so I work out daily at the gym to try to feel the best I can.

What’s your motto?
Don’t love things that don’t love you back, (such as material things).

What are you like when you’re drunk?
Its very hard to get drunk on water!

Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?
I’m an introvert, but in my line of work, sometimes you have to sound yourself to stir attention.

Live long or live fast?
Live long and slow....enjoy life.

Tell us a recent dream
Don’t remember my dreams!

What’s the most bizarre thing you have ever eaten?
Way back in 1978 when working on a cruise liner, while in Syria I was invited by this family to their home and offered me raw minced beef wrapped in leaves! I was only polite for a short while!

Are you good at keeping secrets?
In my line of work in night clubs, many clients are willing to share their problems, secrets and fantasies with you, but as time goes by you get very good at forgetting the details!

If you had a time machine where would you go?
Definitely back to the forties, when Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Miles Davies to name a few were creating to best jazz to date.

If you could be a fictional/real character, who would you be?
I’m a realist so a world renowned musician will be fine!

Do you believe in the supernatural?
I read a lot about it, but still I have many unanswered questions on the subject.

You’re stuck in an elevator with strangers: what do you do?
Tell jokes and calm others down as I cope very well in these circumstances.

Are you a workaholic?
No. I wish I had the luxury of just playing music when I feel like it.

What are you most afraid of?
Sickness and pain.

Would you quit a job without having another one lined up?
I have done that a couple of times yes.

What’s your most embarrassing moment?
Playing to a full house and getting a very big urge to go to the bathroom!