PEACE, LOVE AND MUSIC.

Ender Thomas is a singer and songwriter from Venezuela who was the front man for a salsa band in his home country before moving to the United States. He is a Tenor more known for his association with the famous Greek musician Yanni. Ender was a featured vocalist during the 2009 tour for ‘Yanni Voices’ produced by Disney Pearl Imprint.  His most recent and popular number “Soy Venezuela” was released in April 2013. His new album shall hit the stores soon.

1. Manish Uprety: Hello Ender. Welcome to Tête-à-Tête. It is indeed a pleasure to speak with you. I remember the first time I heard about Venezuela was in a Harry Belafonte song when I was a kid. It is a famous song called ‘Matilda’ and is about a woman who steals not only a man’s heart but also his purse, and runs to Venezuela. What is it about music that like a beautiful woman steals a man’s heart? We fall in love and then keep on falling until we hit the bottom on our poor bottom defying gravity. We cry but our tears soon run dry, and we learn only to unlearn and try to forget. Like Richard P. “Bingo” Little, men keep on falling in love, and like Elizabeth Taylor or Pamela Anderson women very oft keep on exchanging vows of undying love, however, our love and relationship with music is a constant and permanent- and like a beautiful vintage it matures along with time.

Ender Thomas: Hello Manish. First of all I would like to extend my warm greetings to all your readers. It is my pleasure to be able to have this opportunity to connect with all of them.  Indeed music is the way feelings sound, it is not only universal, so much so that transcends languages and brings people together but also necessary for human existence.  From where I stand everything needs music in life.  Even someone who is with hearing impediments is able to hear from within, that’s how profound this gift is.

2. Manish Uprety: Venezuela is a very beautiful country with a vibrant culture. You are perhaps the most famous name in music from the country and its cultural ambassador across the globe like Ravi Shankar was for India. What made you to choose music as your career?

Ender Thomas: I was born in a country full of talented individuals, visionaries and passionate people, but I consider myself from the world- that’s where I really belong.  I don’t think I chose music, I truly believe MUSIC chose me, if you know what I mean.  I am one of the lucky ones who were able to hear the calling and follow their instinct, it is more like a natural thing, just like a baby discovering equilibrium and then being able to crawl and then walk and then run.

3. Manish Uprety: One’s music is also evolutionary in the sense that it is like a journey. Tell us about your inspirations in music?

Ender Thomas: First and foremost MY MOTHER, the very first person who ever sang a song for me and captivated me with the depth of the love coming from the sound. Later on, I discovered that the same love I felt can be shared and spread like the very air which flows through the world and give us life.  And then all soundtracks of Disney’s Movies like Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, Peter Pan, The Fox and the Hound, The Lady and The Tramp, etc., Boleros and so many names from the genre , Rock and Roll , Led Zeppelin, Prince, Queen, Guns & Roses, Metallica, David Bowie, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, STP, Nirvana, Gustavo Cerati , Robi Draco Rosa, R&B,  the great Stevie Wonder, Jackie Wilson, Elton John, and I can really go on and on Juan Luis Guerra , Ruben Blades………Bobby McFerrin , Boyz II Men, Michael Bolton , Luis Miguel , Seal , Frank Sinatra.  They have all been part of my versatility as a vocalist

4. Manish Uprety: Last year, the BBC voted Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love as the best guitar riff ever. Jimmy Page said that he wanted a riff that really moved, that people would really get, and would bring a smile to their faces. You also play guitar. Whose style has influenced you?

Ender Thomas: My guitar playing is far from making a comparison with any of the guitar greats but those like Jimmy, or Slash or The Edge, or Cerati, or Walter Trout, Johnny Winter, or Buddy Guy or John Mayer, or Yamandu Costa, or Cesar Lemos are the ones whom I really admire and wish that maybe one day my fingers stop being so stiff.

5. Manish Uprety: You are better known for your association with the famous Greek musician Yanni, and were a featured vocalist during the 2009 tour for Yanni Voices. How did the association happen? Would you like to share any noteworthy experiences or stories with us?

Ender Thomas: The work of many years in the business led me to meet Cesar Lemos (one of Gurus, that’s how I shall call him), who was doing a secret casting for the project.  I recorded some demos for him that he later showed to Yanni, and the rest is history. The crazy and the most interesting part of it is that everything happened in less than 24 hours.   The histories are all recorded in the hearts of the people who were able to see the shows live and also those who saw the video.

6. Manish Uprety: Yanni says that Mahatma Gandhi has been one of his biggest inspirations in life. India is a title in your popular discography. Please elaborate on your bond with India.

Ender Thomas: I have devotion for humanity and human beings; in fact I love life in all its expression.  This song India is a name in the song, the name of a muse that makes my life impossible, if doesn’t have her in my life.

7. Manish Uprety: How very beautiful a thought.India has been a muse for many. Mark Twain calls it the cradle of the human race.I very much empathise with your devotion to humanity and human beings, and I recall the notion that we have in India-“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The whole world is one family).

Coming back, “The Prince of Peace” was amongst your first singles which was released in December, 2010. For a significant time now, music has been used to build bridges between cultures across the world. For example Polyphony Foundation is bridging the divide between Arab and Jewish communities in Israel by creating a common ground where young people come together around classical music. What in your opinion makes music a potent tool to bring peace between peoples?

Ender Thomas: Anyone who knows about music comprehends the fact race or skin color, or religion, or geography does not matter in music.  Music is Music and has nothing to do with anything else, music makes you want to share, to know more about the other one, to touch the heart of the others, to heal, to bring together.  In one phrase “Music is Love,” that is why.

8. Manish Uprety: Do you think music is becoming an important international relations tool as countries in their cultural initiatives are using it to spread their soft power globally?

Ender Thomas: Sooner than later, music shall take over, and it is without a doubt the most powerful instrument to make anything get noticed.

9. Manish Uprety: You are also helping Pro Energia que es Vida, an organization based in Aguascalientes, Mexico in their various social initiatives. How did the association happen, and what shall you say about your role?

Ender Thomas: The Earth gives us so much for our needs, and so many tools to help ourselves with our own wellness, and Spirulina is one them. I’ve personally known it from many years and when I found out through my friend Geral and Klau, that I could be a face and a voice that could bring people in, so they could take advantage of it, I was wholeheartedly 100% in the noble initiative.

10. Manish Uprety: What are the current projects in music that you are working on?

Ender Thomas: I am currently working in my studio, STELLAR MINDS MUSIC GROUP, writing and producing for other artists, and my own New Album with great a Latin Producer that you will know about more soon.

11. Manish Uprety: Yanni performed at the Taj Mahal in 1997. He also performed in Gujarat, India at Vadfest in January this year. When shall the people of India see you perform in the country? The same goes for Chile who would like to enjoy your performance.

Ender Thomas: The world is such a beautiful place and also a big stage.All cities of the world are places where I would love to perform; and soon we will be going to all of them.

12. Manish Uprety: Nueva Diplomacia is Chilean publication. What is your message to the peoples of Chile and South America?

Ender Thomas: Chile and the whole world deserve my respect and appreciation for all the support they are always giving to me.  My message is a message of Love and Peace.  There is something that is always going to keep the people strong and that is UNITY.  Don’t just follow whatever, always follow the good, the strong and unbreakable voice of the truth, the real love for the one next to you whether it is your relative, or a friend, or neighbour, or just anybody. There is no place or time for the good, it should be a constant.

13. Manish Uprety: I fully agree with what you say- “Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam” (Let us make this world a noble place to live in). Thank you for sparing time for Nueva Diplomacia.

Ender Thomas: Thank you, I love you very much.

PEACE, LOVE AND MUSIC.

14. Manish Uprety: It was indeed a pleasure speaking with you, Ender. I wish you well in your pursuits.

Ender Thomas: Thank you and my best wishes for the readers of Nueva Diplomacia.

“Yanni & Ender Thomas – En Silencio Live 2009 HD”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_f1kUq1lwg

*DISCLAIMER* Nueva Diplomacia Magazine does not take any responsibility for the views and opinions expressed in the interview which belong solely to the interviewee.