Former Gypsy Kings’ drummer Cedric leonardi considers himself a misfit in the ‘superficial’ Western world. He is therefore planning to shift his base to Rajasthan. He chatted with Karan Bhardwaj
While much has been investigated and written about Indian roots of Romani people or Gypsies, it is an accepted fact that they love coming back to their roots in India. It is said that Gypsies originated from Rajasthan.
Cedric leonardi, lead drummer of well-known band All Gypsy Stars, has been planning to shift his base to India. “I may come here with my family since I am not comfortable in lA. I am struggling with the superficiality of the city which is the not the case here. Everybody is running after money. Maybe, I haven’t met the right people. So I plan to spend at least six months in India. I like this place,” said leonardi, who is also a former drummer of world-renowned band Gypsy Kings. A gypsy by origin and a musician for two decades, he is intrigued by the recent study done by Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad proving gypsy’s biological origin from Rajasthan. “That’s true. We are so similar with natives here. Take looks or the mannerisms, we have drastic similarities,” he commented as we met him over lunch at Jodhpur RIFF. The band which also has Georges Reyes on guitar (he is son of Gipsy Kings’ founder, Nicolas Reyes) and Mario Reyes as vocalist and songwriter, will be performing at Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi today. “Over time, we plan to perform at various locations including Goa,” leonardi shared.
He will feature in a movie Return to Rajasthan produced by Niall Phelan. It’s a documentary for Discovery channel. It studies the gypsies’ journey from Rajasthan to all over the globe and their comeback.
Cedric thought everybody was a gypsy. “It is a way of life, a carefree attitude. We are not bound by perceptions and thoughts. A gypsy is willing to learn, share, change and are flexible and live in the present. Other people want security in life. When they seek it, they contract and experimentation is possible when you contract,” he said. For his performances in India, he wants to collaborate more with folk singers than trained musicians. Classical music is not the choice. “At RIFF, we did fusion with a group of Manganiyars and popular folk singer Bhanwari Devi. I think Indian folk musicians are humble. They don’t have egos. They are precious diamonds because they are rustic, crude and earthy. But I can also see competition in them. I want to collaborate with them on more such international platforms. As far as classical musicians are concerned, I find them rich in learning and knowledge,” he expressed adding, “I am not aware of sufi music. I am listening and learning about it. I would like to play some sufi in coming days.” leonardi likes Bollywood music and even sings O Rey Chhori (lagaan). “I like raunchy and fast numbers,” he said gleefully.
The 43-year-old leonardi may be a fresh performer but he’s been visiting India for over 20 years now. He’s seen most locations as a wanderer. “I take bike and embark on a long road journeys.”