Ruben Maric is a Jersey born incredibly talented jazz player who Music in Action is bringing back to Jersey to perform at Jazz at Hamptonne with music from his group Plantfood on Sat 18th May 2024. To buy tickets CLICK HERE
At what age did you start making music and how did you start?
I was lucky to have a mum in Jersey who really encouraged me. I started making music when I was really young, just making silly songs with my dad. I’d basically just do a stream of consciousness freestyle rap and he’d record it and add an instrumental track underneath. But my first real experience of making music on my own would have been a semi-improvised piano piece I performed at the war tunnels during Music in Action’s Liberation Festival back in 2011, inspired by the music of Messiaen.
What do you play and what’s your vibe?
I play keyboards and piano, as well as composing music. The music I play is really broad, and I collaborate with a lot of different groups of musicians but the common theme across most of it is energetic, dancey music. Within that though I think what I bring is a bit more of a vulnerable, emotional sound, drawing on a combination of my classical training mixed with contemporary jazz.
Why does music matter to you?
I love all kinds of art, but for me music is the most visceral and immediate form of art. I love how tangible and personal it can be, and I feel like the abstract nature of music lets it take on a new life when people interpret it through the lens of their own thoughts and experience.
What did you think was great about Jersey when growing up?
Firstly, Youth Arts Jersey was absolutely pivotal for me growing up. A lot of my best memories as a teenager happened there or with people I met there. It’s such a great place for young people with absolutely amazing staff.
Secondly, studying with Chris George at the Jersey Academy of Music was amazing for me, I was so privileged to be given opportunities to write for and collaborate with professional musicians from the UK and beyond, which was really eye opening for me when I was younger. And I was really helped by Music in Action who supported my music with performance opportunities and compositional sessions.
What is your favourite place on earth?
I’m from the east of Jersey, so that little spot past Archirondel Tower where the sea has broken up the stones holds a special place for me. Probably either that or Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds, where Plantfood had our first headline gig.
Who is your favourite song writer?
For me right now it’s probably Chris Thile (Punch Brothers). I’ve been captivated since hearing “the Old Shade Tree” on his duo album with Brad Meldhau - which was also my introduction to Brad’s playing - but particularly the Punch Brothers album “All Ashore” is a standout for me. The lyricism in the title track is stunning.
What was playing at Glastonbury like?
Glastonbury was absolutely mad, on a completely different scale from any other festival we’ve played. The tent we were playing was quite deep in the festival grounds so we got to drive through the site when we arrived - but the place was so packed with people that even with two marshals clearing the way in front of the car we were barely going faster than walking pace.
We were playing on Saturday night so we had a good couple of days to watch all the world-class acts and get properly nervous about our set - and the energy backstage was a crazy mix of nerves and adrenaline before we went on. Thankfully a few mates from Jersey showed up in the crowd which made it a lot easier.
Which star would you choose to have dinner with?
Probably Joni Mitchell!
What can we look forward to from you next with your music?
Plantfood have some really exciting material that we’re sitting on for now. We were fortunate enough to receive funding from Help Musicians and spent a few days in the studio last year, so some of that should be seeing release pretty soon!
It’s going to be great to come to perform at Jazz at Hamptonne and be there with Jason Rebello who is one of my jazz heroes.