Andy Razafindrazaka is a 14-year-old very talented drummer who made his mark on the jazz scene in Madagascar from an early age. Despite his reserved character, which contrasts with his impressive stage energy and playing, the young musician tells us about his career with outstanding maturity and lucidity. With more than 15,000 followers on his Facebook page, his decisive encounters with jazz greats such as Mike Moreno, Darryl Hall, Stephy Haik, Bunny Brunel, Olivier Hutman and Jeanot Rabeson, and his many stage appearances, Andy Razafindrazaka is one of the worthy representatives of young Malagasy jazzmen.

The American: Why jazz?

Andy: I think I was influenced by my father, Désiré Razafindrazaka, who plays bass and hosts jazz events. I feel comfortable with jazz and I love it! But I also play light, rock, and Malagasy music.

The American: Your musical influences?

Andy: In jazz, I listen to a little bit of everything, especially pianists Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. I love jazz but I am also keen on funk and rap.

The American: How did you start with drums?

Andy: I started at the age of seven. I learned the basics by watching YouTube videos. Then I took drum lessons with Sitraka Ranaivosoa, Josia Rakotondravohitra, Lova Ramanampilaza. I also did music trainings with Ferenc Nemeth, Yves Ouezan, and Frank Raholison.

The American: Your first public performance?  

Andy: It was in 2015 when I was only 8 years old. As soon as I knew how to play different jazz rhythms, my father took me to cabarets in Antananarivo for jam sessions with musicians such as guitarist Datita  Rabeson and pianist Samy Andriamanoro. I was both nervous and happy to play! Then I played during the Jazz Tohatohabato festival and the Madajazzcar Festival afterhours with foreign musicians like Andy Narell, Bunny Brunel, Baptiste Herbin. When I was 9, I was doing my first concert as Andy Razafindrazaka.

The American: Your favorite drummers?

Andy: Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, Damien Schmitt, and Malagasy drummers Bolo Rakoto David, Titan Randriamasindrazana, and Josia Rakotondravohitra.

The American: Your appreciation of the Malagasy jazz scene?

Andy: Jazz is not the first music Malagasy people would listen to, but things are changing. More people attend jazz concerts; more musicians, including youngest ones, play jazz.

The American: Andy Razafindrazaka’s band members?  

Andy: Our band is composed of Mahefa Ramiandrisoa, my pianist from the beginning, Ranto  Ranoarimanana on bass, Tantely  Rasoloarimanana on guitar, Andry Michael  Randriantseva on saxophone, and myself on drums. 

The American: Your latest events and the upcoming ones?

Andy: In December, I participated in the TEDx Youth Antananarivo event and “Jazz à l'Université”. Lately, there was the Tribute to Chick Corea at the Alliance Française de Tana and a concert – with my younger brother on trumpet – in tribute to Luis Ramaroson, a pianist who died earlier this year. Now, my band is planning stage projects and video shoots for my YouTube channel and my Facebook page “Andy Razafindrazaka – Musician”.

The American: Andy’s time management?

Andy: I must balance it out! Honestly, music is above all a passion and my family supports me. But I put studies first because it is important! For leisure, I love video games and I am a football fan.

The American: Your wildest dream?

Andy: Travel all over the world, meet Herbie Hancock and rapper Nekfeu! I also dream of playing one day with Joey Alexander, an Indonesian pianist, and Justin Lee Schultz, a multi-instrumentalist from South Africa, two amazing musicians living in the USA who are around my age.