Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeffrey Gascon Bello. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jeffrey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

With an affinity towards processes of integration, I naturally gravitated from the very start to the multidisciplinary arts and their enticing potential to form cohesiveness. This has always been an inspiring approach for me as a creative. I tend to feel enthralled to find a unifying meaning from a source of multiplicity. As once Director of Casaluna, a performance art ensemble, I was following this method for work construction. I used the concept of Devising Theatre which enabled a group of artists from various disciplines to construct a performance piece involving juxtapositions of elements been created as the group grew from a conceptual ideal into a defined whole with an anchor meaning behind it. I got the process for each piece started from I called a ‘naked structure’ which was the requirement to present a basic idea that felt appealing and in accordance with the type of work embraced by the group, and then with ongoing input and feedback, allow the discoveries to surface through the deepening of the concept, guide the way towards piece completion. I typically discouraged any details involving technique or resources needed until later in the process. I found that such elaborations at the start serve to delay development. Casaluna was able to present in performance a number of completed pieces in this way earning us a good following and some interesting sponsors along the way.

I have continued this way of working in various iterations and artist collaborations since then.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Writing and reading philosophical themes was at the very beginning of everything for me. Grew up thinking about life and what others thought about it in terms of its meaning and purpose. Consulted from friends, to family, to great literature. This interest always was a source of inspiration that eventually led to the arts of expression, music, painting, architecture, and multimedia. It all seemed to be connected. Once I had the means and opportunity, I began to compose electronic music and after much ado was able to complete the first CD recording of my compositions entitled Parallel Universe. It was a journey of ups and downs that served to strengthen resolve complemented by the necessary discipline to make it happen. This process is still underway.

Once as a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, was fortunate enough to play under the direction of Claudio Abbado, who was one of the greatest conductors of the world symphonies. I was there having been the recipient of an international scholarship to study music and through this process, found myself in the company of great student performers and invited world conductors. While I never fit the mold of a classical musician, I viewed my time there as great research into the world of symphonic writing and interpretation. Mr. Abbado approached our student orchestra to conduct Bruckner’s 7th symphony. I remember clearly that as he raised his baton, the whole orchestra took a breath at once in anticipated inspirational awe, and the first note that came through was absolutely heavenly as it continued into a great interpretation and performance of this great work. This was the training orchestra for the Chicago Symphony and yet that day it sounded like one of the best orchestras in the world. All because of the incredible influence and powerfully absolute love of his art from this awesome conductor. This became a greater lesson for me over time to lead me to never assume anything, to approach the work as if always new, and to seek to exude this type of passion into what one cares for, fully knowing that what may appear novice at the start, can transform itself into a profound creative experience in an instant.

Over time, I became fascinated by the notion of architecture design and music and began to develop a concept which I chose to define as Intimate Space Atmospheres which deal with space and participant connectivirty through multimedia presentations. Parting from my experience in production, began to seek ways to unite the elements together and was able to create such a space for the release of my music at a Gallery presentation in the Dallas design district. Out of this experience the ensemble Art Nomadic took shape and have expanded into more elaborate production opportunities. Art Nomadic is a group of artists sharing that vision and in collaboration and design have undertaking a number of performances which have been highly enticing all while continuing to expand its plate of performance offerings.

Intimate space atmospheres is about combining art, music, performance, meditation and viewer interaction, while being grounded on a site-specific venue, The creative intention being to transcend traditional sensory perception, and rather build a space that evokes a sense of presence between observer and observed.

Among my ongoing and future endeavors includes the resuming of writing on philosophical themes which were put in pause since my teen years. I am looking forward to nurturing my writing with experienced accumulated since, to create written works that may give something back in this format in the near future.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To give something back that may in some small way be useful towards a better world. Starting with just a single individual that may feel something inspired in them by seeing a fruitful collaboration and that little something causes over time ripple effects that bring forth more new inspirations which cause that single individual to do better things for their world. A small seed can grow into a great fruit tree feeding thousands over time. The work that is done as a creative always carries that potential. To aspire to be that seed in the creative work is how I would describe my mission on this creative journey.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I completed my master’s in music degree at Northwestern University all while highly depleted of funds and resources. I was able to obtain some financial assistance from my school, ultimately it was challenging to accommodate many other needs. I had come to my very end in terms of receiving further assistance from any source. I had to obtain work washing dishes and be a server at a sorority house in order to be able to continue. My instrument at the time was a string bass which wasn’t made of real wood. It was a plywood instrument, and I had no car. I had to carry this heavy instrument everywhere I went from building to building every day, it was good exercise though. When a gig happened, I used to carry the instrument in trains and buses. The only thing that enabled me to continue was the goal of graduation and that was the only thing I concentrated on.

Ultimately I was able to perform a solo recital for faculty, students, and friends on this plywood bass instrument playing some great pieces written for String Bass and finished it without faltering, causing the approval needed for a master’s degree. In hunger, tired, and penniless, a great personal accomplishment was achieved which eventually became a source of self-kindness for having endured the difficulties encountered all while succeeding at completion.

I have found that difficulties eventually become power allies which serve to develop such resilience causing one to appreciate even more the gift of life.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: @artnomads (Site for Art Nomadic)
• Other: BANDCAMP: https://jeffreygasconbello.bandcamp.com/alt

Image Credits
String Bass Standing Posture: Maran Banta Parallel Universe photos with my musical notation themes: Alisa Eykilis Pose photos: Debra Gloria