“Somewhere in the Universe, all musics meet in a point of light. Both blues and gypsy music are the only ones that do not deceive, they are a form of human nature... Both types of music come from the depths of the human soul, from the pains and joys of man.”

Canaf: Music from the Planet Blues

Canaf is the first gypsy blues singer in Eastern Europe. Winner of the Sibiu Jazz Festival Grand Prize, he took part in many relavant European festivals, such as: World Music Festival Fivizzano Italy, Miscolk Festival Hungary, Focsani Blues Festival, Open Air Blues Festival Brezoi, Gărâna Jazz Festival, Panonic Festival Poland 2022, Valby Kulturhus Festival Copenhagen 2022. “The virgin soul of the Blues” is the name of his first 100% live album, launched at Hard Rock Cafe in 2016 and followed by the 2018 record "ENDLESS.BLUES". While working on his third, he simultaneously devoted this year to the extended European Tour co-headlined by the renowned Fanfare Ciocârlia.

(Photo: Canaf, the first gypsy blues singer in Eastern Europe)

With successful collaborations with the renowned Fanfara Ciocârlia, including the award-winning tracks "I put a spell on you" and "It Wasn't hard to love you," CANAF has solidified his position as a force to be reckoned with in the world of blues music. His songs are featured on hit albums such as Onward to Mars (2019) and “It Wasn’t hard to love you”, recently awarded in the BBC Songline Music Award 2022.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What does the blues mean to you?

I think that the music, the sounds, formed the planets in the universe... And the blues, for me, is like a special planet, a planet that I call Freeloveland...

How do you describe your music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technical skills and soul/emotions?

There must be a balance in everything, but, in my opinion, everything is about the soul... Skill comes, then, by itself...

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

I was a child and I listened to the great blues singers... In the area where I was born, Eastern Europe, the blues was like a bridge to the planet Freeloveland... And the highlights... Anytime I'm on stage, these are the highlights... I don't care about career.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Today, exactly those who made the blues are missing, they left behind an empty space in which time seems to have frozen. I don't hope for anything, I don't want to remain with the hope and I fear every second that follows.

What are the lines that connect the Blues music with Gypsy Music? Why do you think that the Blues & Gypsy music continues to generate such a devoted following?

Somewhere in the Universe, all music's meet in a point of light. Both blues and gypsy music are the only ones that do not deceive, they are a form of human nature... Both types of music come from the depths of the human soul, from the pains and joys of man.

"I think that the music, the sounds, formed the planets in the universe... And the blues, for me, is like a special planet, a planet that I call Freeloveland..."

(Photo: Canaf)

What is the impact of music n the racial and socio-cultural implications? How do you want it to affect people?

The blues is about us, about every person, regardless of the culture they belong to... The blues can be the bond that brings all people together regardless of skin color...

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Let a good time roll, this is what I learned from blues music until now...