Smooth Jazz Now TALKS WITH ..ARMI GRANO

John Beaudin - Armi, I can't think of you without being inspired. Your attitude
towards your fight with breast Cancer is remarkable.

Armi Grano - Thank you.

John - When you first heard what was the first thing that went through your mind?

Armi - Just like a lot of articles that I've read, you say to yourself "why me?" and "there's got to be a mistake." The hardest part was the waiting time between the diagnosis and the surgery.

John - I've read alot on fighting disease when my brother was battling
Sarcoma a form of Cancer in 1985. I've read alot on two different types of mind thoughts mostly. There were the people who attacked the disease like an enemy and they'd visualize whatever metaphor that could kill the Cancer. Some used a "Star Wars" laser and others surrounded themselves with white light and then there was the camp that just surrendered, they simply let go. It's not like they gave up they just gave themselves to whatever form of God they believed in. Although, usually what comes out are mother statements like "it's for the best" which usually doesn't help and sure they mean well but you know. Did you find that your support system was strong? Did they know what to tell you?

Armi - It took me about two days after the diagnosis to come to terms with myself and face whatever comes. I said to myself, I'm going to beat this, I'm in good shape, I'm young and I have great things ahead of me. I have a great support system with my family and friends and of course my singing. I quit my day job at that time and concentrated on my singing even though I knew that I will be going through a long treatment that will affect my strength and appearance.

John - What was the big message in this for you that will always stay with you?

Armi - Specifically, I urged women of age to do a self-examination and don't be afraid to consult your doctor if there is something wrong. Trust your instincts, don't ignore it. A delay of a month or two can make a lot of difference in the stages of breast Cancer. Generally, attitude is everything and if you think you can do it, you can do it.

John - I remember you coming out to a film shoot we did together last year to promote Smooth Jazz in Vancouver. I couldn't believe you were going for treatments on the same day but you still found time to come out and support our campaign. It's like you were going through this but you were not stopping your life.

Armi - Yes, I was hesitant at first to go on camera because I was having chemotherapy at that time and I was conscious of my appearance. I even asked some of the other artists if they noticed something different about me and they said no. I just felt very tired.

John - So you recorded the second album Latin Color partially in Mexico?

Armi - Yes, our technology is so advanced now that you can do a lot of
things when recording which is different from the old days.

John - Tell me about the Pax Trio?

Armi - They are a very dynamic Jazz trio composed of Tito Rodriguez, Diego Ramirez and Joaquin Gonzalez. They play alot of their own music which I find very exciting. They also do alot of the great standards and of course Brazilian music. It's so neat to hear a different orientation of Jazz and the accent is so ethnic.

John - Your producer Torben Oxbol is fantastic at coming up with this slick "big money" sound without spending a fortune. I love what he did with Beverley Staunton's album Here's To You.

Armi - Torben is a great musician and arranger. I worked well with him. He made everything easy. I was amazed at the final outcome of the recording. It's unbelievable, just wait until you hear the CD.

John - The Bossa Nova and Samba style never really gets tired, it still brings a shine to the Jazz and Smooth Jazz format. Why did it speak to you?

Armi - I was originally from the Philippines and we had a lot of Latin influence, Spain, Galleon trade with Mexico (Acapulco-Manila trade in the mid 1600's) and all that stuff. I guess I have the temperament and rhythm for this kind of music and I just love it. The language is sexy and the beat just flows.

John - The HMV people said your first CD Satin Dreams was top five for independent CD's and that's great!

Armi - It was great! They promoted independent artists before. I think they just did a reorganization last year and the independent section was wiped out from the stores. Too bad for us!

John - Satin Dreams is a great album. Mark Hasselbach and yourself really did a great job.

Armi - Mark is a wonderful musician and a good friend too. He taught me alot about singing and the recording process. Mark and Miles Black did alot of great playing and arranging in that album.

John - I love "So Many Stars". Everytime I hear it my shoulders lower, I just de-stress.

Armi - Me too.

John - You do alot of fundraising events tell me about them?

Armi - It's just my way of giving back to the community and supporting causes that I believe in like CIBC Run for theCure, United Way and BC Children's Hospital.

John - What was your reaction to the CRTC not giving any of the six applicants in Vancouver a Smooth Jazz license?

Armi - I was very disappointed. I'm sure all the supporters of the Smooth Jazz station would be happy just the same regardless of who got the license. But to lose to an urban Hip Hop station? It hurts! Good for them though and I wish them luck.

John - Were your family in the Philippines supportive of your singing?

Armi - Yes.

John - How can your fans get a hold of you? Do you answer fan emails?

Armi - www.cdbaby.com/armigrano or email me at jacproductions@telus.net

John - How's the Vancouver Jazz community?

Armi - Lots of great musicians but not enough gigs and venues.

John - You had the album opening at Rossini's and it's amazing how many people from outside Vancouver know about that place. Arni's (May - the owner) is a fun guy to talk too. He talked my ear off last year when we were trading funny Jazz artists stories. I have lots of them but Arni's the king he's really been around the block and he really knows his Jazz.

Armi - Arni is a great guy. I like him and he supports alot of the local artists. He knows the business side and the music side of the restaurant business, and he loves my CD!

John - Does anything on the charts grab you?

Armi - Not sure of this question.

John - What's on the horizon for you?

Armi - Expand my audience, improve my music, travel and perform in other places and plan my next album. I started to write some materials based on my recent experiences. I really hope I can use them.

John - I remember when I reviewed your first album. I compared your voice to that of Herb Alpert's wife Lani Hall. I always had a true love for her style and you brought that back for me.

Armi - I didn't know you had this fixation with Lani Hall. I liked her alot with the Sergio Mendes and her solo recordings. I remember singing a pop hit of hers, I think it was called "I don't want you to go". That was a long time ago though.

John - Armi, it's always a pleasure, thanks for talking to us.

Armi - Thank you John. It's my pleasure. I'm glad you are back with your passion for Smooth Jazz.