Sustainability of Artists ... Cesare Cassarino

"To make art is very expensive. I've got the soul of an artist. In my case I don't care about money at all. I learnt how to be functional and user friendly to make a living," says Cesare on the iStart2 Show this week. 

Cesare Attilio Cassarino is a bass player and composer from Johannesburg. A staple on the Johannesburg music scene since the late 80’s, he has performed in a number of varied musical situations. Cesare is a graduate of the Tshwane University of Technology where he studied Jazz. He was initially a sideman working primarily in Afrikaans music until the early 2000’s when small Jazz gigs took over the bulk of his income.

Cesare performing with Pops Mohamed

at the iStart2 Hub in Centurion

A short list of his performance credits include Somerfaan, Loyiso, Battery 9, Joos Tonteldoos en die Dwarstrekkers, Repo, Gang of Instrumentals, New Academics, Jonathan Crossley, Beukes and Delaney, Riku Latti, Anton Goosen, Jack Hammer, Die Wasgoedlyn, Michael Canfield, Alistair Coakely, Marcus Wyatt, Jazz Company, Tsunami, RJ Benjamin, Radio Kalahari Orkes, Greg Georgiades and the list goes on. When he is not busy making other people sound good or performing with Jazz Company he scours the internet for underground music and tinkers incessantly with guitar electronics.

We chatted to Cesare about what it takes to be able to make a sustainable living by doing what you love. "I want to be in the moment. I find myself wondering if I am an artist all the time," says he.

To listen to the podcast of the interview, click play below

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4 Stories, about 4 people who in some way feel disconnected from others and perhaps even from themselves. In these stories people are forced to recognize the connections that tie them to others and the things that disconnect them from what counts the most. 

These stories are told with poems, prose, music and animation art. The musical instruments include piano, guitar, bass, vocals and an array of African instruments played by Pops Mohamed. An audio-visual journey through the lives of your average South African citizen.

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