Walter Malosetti and band @ Notorius (Photo / Lautaro Aránguiz)
Walter Malosetti is jazz guitar virtuoso, his expertise equals that of his greatest influences: Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Oscar Alemán, Joe Pass and Jim Hall. Like these other masters of the craft, Walter is thoroughly steeped in the jazz and blues canons, and he uses these foundations as points of departure into chirpy, mesmerizing improvisations. He often murmurs along to his solos, weaving his way through sweet melodies that words would be too clunky to support. His big, worn carpenter’s hands nimbly glide over the fretboard, occasionally pausing to let a single tone ring out, and then plunging back into a meandering solo.
Walter was born in 1931 in Córdoba, and spent his early years in the Buenos Aires suburb of El Palomar. His father and older brother both played the guitar, and he developed an early love for the instrument. He used to listen to the famed big-bands of the ’30s and ’40s on the radio. By age 14 he and his band, appropriately named ‘Jazz Walter’, were giving regular weekend performances at a local dance hall. Every so often, famous jazz artists of the national scene would perform in El Palomar and let young Walter sit in with them. Among others, Walter proudly shared the stage with saxophonist ‘Gato’ Barbieri, pianist ‘Baby’ Lopez Furts and bassist ‘Negro’ Gonzalez—apparently, no matter the country, jazz musicians always carry hip nicknames.
During ’50s Walter began recording and performing with several different groups: Guardia Vieja Jazz Band, California Ramblers, Blue Strings and the Swing Timers. In the ’60s he formed the trio Swing 39, with Carlos Acosta y Héctor Basso. Swing 39 played what Walter describes as “French, Hot Club” style. The music greatly resembles, in style and calibre, that of Django Reinhardt. The band gained notoriety and toured throughout the country during the ’60s and ’70s. Swing 39 was the first jazz band to play at the venerable Teatro Colón.
Seeking to augment his musical proficiency, Walter studied classical guitar with the well-known performer and teacher Irma Costanzo. An eternal student of music, Walter explains, “my passion and my mind were always with jazz, but I like to improve myself and learn new things.” Walter decided to share and encourage this love of learning with others, and became a certified guitar instructor.
Teaching and sharing his love of jazz became a major part of Walter’s career. He founded one of the first jazz institutes in Argentina, ‘La Escuela Superior de Guitarra y Jazz’. At the institute, he and other prominent figures of the national jazz scene offered classes for many different instruments. Many of the most distinguished Argentine jazz artists today attended classes at ‘La Escuela Superior’.
During this period Walter also began to publish guitar method books. Today, he has published 11 such books. His knowledge and mastery are in constant demand and he still teaches, including many lessons given via skype to students all over the country and abroad. He is enthusiastic about teaching and promoting jazz in Argentina. When asked about the scene today he said: “Jazz is flourishing; today the amount of young musicians who play professionally has greatly increased since I started 64 years ago. Also, there are many more fans of the genre.”
In more recent years, Walter has been travelling abroad to perform, gracing stages from New Orleans to Norway. He travels to Spain at least once a year, to tour and visit his daughter. In 2005, he was invited to perform at the International Guitar Festival of Barcelona, which annually hosts the best guitarists in the world. That same year, Walter was honoured with the Clarín award for person of the year in the jazz category.
Today, at age 79, Walter still maintains a full schedule. He teaches classes, composes and records new tunes, and performs with his current band, ‘The Walter Malosetti Trio’. Joining him in the group are Mauro Vicino on rhythm guitar and Guillermo Delgado on upright bass. The three are linked with a tight chemistry and their shows are exhibitions of improvisational virtuosity.
Following a recent Malosetti Trio performance at the Buenos Aires jazz institution, Notorious, numerous members of the audience hummed and whistled jaunty little melodies as they exited the venue. They had spent the last few hours wrapped up in an engrossing conversation – a conversation free of words – that had inspired them, and that they weren’t yet ready to let end.
For more information on Walter Malosetti, his music and upcoming performances, visit www.waltermalosetti.com.ar
You can catch The Walter Malosetti Trio on 24th July at Notorious, Callao 966. For reservations call 4813-6888. In August, The Walter Malosetti Trio will be playing Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at the Torquato Tasso Cultural Centre, 1575 Defensa. For reservations call 4307-6506.
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