I am proud to present the first artist from Uruguay. with a great Bossa Nova sound German Bense!

hi German welcome how are you?

Fine, thanks Claude!

Of all the great South American influences why did you choose Bossa Nova?

Because I love the brazilian culture in general. I think that Brazil is on of the more exiting places of the world.

You play a great guitar, what make is it?

Washborn

How is Uruguay's music scene for independant musicians?

One of the more isolated places of the world...Uruguay is a three millon people country, and plus this, the music market is always blocked for the uruguaian musicians.

Give us a brief history of your musical career please?

I begun to work as a professional musician in 1981 as jazz bassist and guitar player. In this way I got the bossa nova. My first songs were written in 1984. With them I begun my experience of fusion of the brazilian music with the afro-uruguian candombe. At the same time I begun playing brazilian music in differents Montevideo´s night clubs. This intimate bound public-artist captured me from the beginings and although I play in theaters too, the night was the natural play time for my music.

My teacher, Juan Lamas, was a great master of Jazz and Bossa Nova. He crossed the world playing Bossa Nova in years in which this musical genre was not more than an interesting curiosity. He was responsible for initiating me in that way, making me appreciate the cadence of its rythm and the alchemy of its harmony.

By 1980 much Bossa Nova was played in Uruguay. Being a minor I entered secretly the night clubs to listen to live music (often they discovered me and they threw me out). In these years my teacher was one of the first musicians at Montevideo's night stage and I, who I wished to be a professional musician like him, watched his shows to learn as much as possible. Education did not finish in the classroom.

I was retired temporarily from music in 1995.

I did it for financial reasons. I have a wife and children, and in Uruguay it is very difficult to maintain a family with music. Mp3.com and the Internet offered me the opportunity to introduce my music to the public of all the latitudes and I am very happy about the good response.

What is for you the difficult part of creating?

As I tell you above, my non-musical activities take a lot of time of my life: I think that the more difficult part of my life as a singer-songwriter is that I don't have enough time.

What is the source of your inspiration?

There aren't a "fixed" source of inspiration. The muses can attack me in the more unexpected moment.

Who is your favorite Uruguayan artist??

Jaime Roos

What does German Bense do for fun beside music?

I still try to play soccer...in a senior league. Soccer is almost a religion in Uruguay What was the first live concert you attended?

A bossa nova and jazz show in an infamous bar....GREAT!!!! I loved that immediately

Which is your most popular song?

Of my own? I have 2: "A dream that to fullfil" and "O Talismao"

I want to thank you for taking the time to answer my questions

Hey Claude, thank YOU!

Please visit German Bense's website:http://www.mp3.com/germanbense

email your comments to: gbense@adinet.com.uy