Prince: His Musicials Call Him "Maestro"
Le Matin
July 17 2009

She is Canadian, bassist and vocalist, is Brazilian and pianist. Tonight, Rhonda Smith, ten years of collaboration with Prince, and Renato Neto, at his side for eight? Years, with the one they call "engineering" on the stage of the Stravinski Auditorium for two successive shows. Two sets free, unique in the world. Calm before the storm, they emerge, through their speeches, a gentle reassuring.

In a small room with over one where they repeat, a vast hall built with a stage, they lift the veil.

Thanks much for posting this!

What that means to you is to work with Prince?
Renato Nieto. I'm from Brazil. I met with Rhonda Prince in 2001. It is a genuine genius. An artist capable of many things: compose, write lyrics and play many different instruments. (Editor's note: seventeen in total.)

Prince, The Artist, Love Symbol, we are lost. What word do you use to contact him?
Rhonda Smith. Friend ...
R. N. I call him Prince or Maestro.

How would you describe the music of Prince, in general, and that you'll play tonight in particular?
R. S. It is both of emotion, color, provocation. It's sexy, dark, too. Such a project can fly all kinds of styles. From jazz to fusion, funk until the most outrageous. You can stop for a Walk-wrenching tears. Prince is complex, it is a genius, but it is not a simple man. It can not be summarized in few words.

After the death of Michael Jackson, do you think it is the last great black musician from living 80 years?
R. S. Prince is unique. I will not compare to anyone else. There are not two like him.

What is "In A Large Room With No Light Light", a song specially written and broadcast on the Net at its venue in Switzerland?
R. N. This song for the Festival of Montreux is a track that indicates in which direction we go in the future. It's more jazzy, this sounds like a jam, but is very open.
R. S. It is also his way of saying how much he likes your audience. And by the way, the food here is irresistible (laughs).

Rhonda, you work with him for a number of years. How did you meet and what do you remember this "first time"?
R. S. It was through Sheila E. At the time, it helped to come into contact with new musicians. He made me come home, in Minneapolis. We jamm together. I tried not to be nervous like now. Prince was very nice. I come from Montreal, Canada, and he could have asked it to anyone else. I did not hide my gratitude. This is a moment I will never forget.

Is it stressful to perform two shows in one evening?
R. S. No. Prince is a prolific entertainer, we are accustomed. We have done three shows in Los Angeles in one night. We have a very wide range of repertoire. The choice of title depends on him. If he wants change, it changes. Last time we left the next morning at 6 am, after an extension by the Montreux Jazz Café. This time we will stay until Sunday in Montreux.
R. N. It can turn at any time. It's very unexpected. Nothing is locked.

Will he perform tracks from his last triple album?
Both. Certainly.

What in your opinion was decisive in the fact he comes back?
R.S. Love the European public. He lived a great time last time. There are a lot of respect, feeling relaxed, a higher artistic level. It is not like elsewhere in the world.

On stage with you, John

Blackwell, explosive drummer, physically impressive. He is known for juggling his sticks. Does Prince asks you ask you all to be showmen?
RS I do not know where John learned it (laughs). It is also capable of great sensitivity in his playing This ability to link the two gives a perfect combination. Regarding the show, it depends on the context. In the past, this was the case. It depends if this is necessary or not.

This year in Montreux, Grace Jones has changed wardrobe with each song. And you?
(Laughter.) R. N. No, we will keep the same clothes from start to finish! Prince, however, I do not know.

At what time will you be ready?
R. S. (a suave voice, punctuated by laughter.) We are ready ...

The Original Article in French here

I didn't feel like translating the whole thing so I just computer translated it.