Gandhi ADAM
Musician

Gandhi received a scholarship for a residency at the Atelier des Artistes en Exil.

What is your artistic background ?
I'm a musician, I started music in the 80s, I did a lot of projects, I played with a lot of musicians and singers like Tryo, DJ Dynasty, Taïro, Bobby Mc Ferrin'... My last project was the Africolor festival. These are great experiences that allowed me to bring together professional musicians from France and elsewhere. For me, it was a challenge but we succeeded. It shows that it's possible. I continue to carry out my projects: the Lama Orchestra and Music For All International, and in Paris I am enrolled at the School of Jazz Modern Music (CIM). 

How do you see your profession today ?
I am an author, composer and flautist. That's what I like, it’s what allows me to live, to be useful. It's a way of living, of exchanging, it's a window to see others and to see myself through others. I live from my music, I've been in music since the age of five, and everything I do is directly or indirectly related to music. My vision of the world is totally influenced by my profession, it allows me to be surrounded, music has brought me the life I have today. We make projects, but projects make us too. I can see that it's also a dying profession: this is the first time I've received a scholarship.

How do you see yourself in 5 years ? In 10 years ?
I imagine myself moving forward with my projects, without the difficulties of the early days. I see myself preparing for the Nile Memories Festival. It is a festival that brings together the cultures of the Nile and the Seine, it aims to rebuild intercultural links and to highlight, through art, the beauty of cultures. I would like to campaign for artists to be able to stay in their native country, artists should have a choice. Politics must stop interfering so much in our lives. Too many artists are forced to face exile, which impoverishes our countries of origin culturally. The difficult aspect is the financial aspect, which is what makes me doubt the future. It is a source of concern for me because I prefer to work on my projects rather than looking for funding.

This interview was conducted in 2017
Photo credit: Antonin Amy-Menichetti