Zulema, for a band that hasn't recorded an album yet and barely played a couple of live shows, you managed to get a lot of festival bookings for the upcoming summer season.
Zulema Hechavarria Blanco (bandleader, flute, vocals, percussion and dance): "The ball really started rolling when we played our very first concert at the Beursschouwburg in Brussels last October. We got a lot of positive reactions that night and also bumped into Peter Verstraelen, a well-known booking agent (www.peterverstraelen.com, red.) whom I still knew from when I was still playing with El Tattoo del Tigre. It's true that it's not easy to get booked by the larger festivals when you don't have an album to promote your music, but fortunately we managed to persuade most of them by sending them some video recordings we did at that concert in Brussels."
What inspired you to form an all-female salsa band?
Zulema Hechavarria Blanco: "I already had some experience playing with all-female bands from when I was still living in Cuba. I played in four completely different women bands there and I really wanted to try and recreate the vibe I experienced with them here in Belgium. When I started to develop the idea that later would grow to be Zule Max, a lot of people told me something like that wouldn't work here, but as you can see I persevered and here we are! (laughs)"
How did you go about finding the different musicians you need for the band?
Zulema Hechavarria Blanco: "The first thing I started with was trying to find a decent horn section, as horn players often turn out to be the hardest to find. A lot really happened through word of mouth; one musician knew another and gradually things came together, but because I couldn't find all the musicians I needed here in Belgium, I had to extend my search to The Netherlands and even Germany."
Zule Max counts thirteen members. In practical terms, is it always easy to tour with a big band like that?
Zulema Hechavarria Blanco: "In a period of crisis, like the one we're experiencing now, I have to say no, but I was determined in my vision. To show people how salsa music really ought to be played, you need at least thirteen or fourteen musicians. Most people will know salsa from smaller bands, playing with only five or six persons on stage, but bands like that will never be able to offer the rich and vibrant sound that made this music so popular back in the day. Each instrument really has its role to play; the three percussionists, congas, bongos and timbales, play a pivotal role, then there's the horn section, which should also consist of at least three or four musicians, and finally a good band needs a couple of first class vocalists as well of course."
Thirteen women in one band, that almost sounds like a recipe for trouble, no?
Zulema Hechavarria Blanco: "Well, I can only say that until now the vibe in the band has been super and let us just hope things will stay that way! (laughs)"
Of what kind of songs does Zule Max' repertoire consist? Are these original compositions or cover versions?
Zulema Hechavarria Blanco: "For now, we've mainly opted to cover songs from lesser known salsa bands. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra is a good example; that band plays music that's similar to ours, but consists of only male musicians. It's the kind of jazzy arrangements they play, that we're also on the lookout for, although I have to add for future reference, that we will gradually start to insert more and more of our own material into the set list."
You're of Cuban decent, how did you end up in Belgium?
Zulema Hechavarria Blanco: "Love had a lot to do with that. I completed my musical formation at the conservatory here in Belgium, but in Cuba I fell in love with Willem De Coninck (percussionist with El Tattoo del Tigre and Belgian Afrobeat Association, red.). We were together for five years, but unfortunately just before we were supposed to get married, he passed away (Willem was killed in a fatal traffic accident, red.). He played percussion for El Tattoo del Tigre at the time and that's also why I eventually joined that band, the first band I played with after my arrival in Belgium. After my graduation I played with a great number of projects ranging from Zap Mama over Helmut Lotti and Raymond van het Groenewoud to Campina Reggae."
It might still be a little premature, but wouldn't you love to perform with this band in your homeland Cuba one day?
Zulema Hechavarria Blanco: "Absolutely, that's a dream I definitely want to see come true. I've already discussed it with people in Cuba and it should be possible. On top of that the girls in the band also love the idea. I'm sure we'd be able to surprise the crowds there with our performance, but all things in due time! (laughs)"