Perched high above Hong Kong in the Rosewood Hotel, the Carlyle & Co. members’ club has a solid reputation among audiophiles of live shows. The king of its music selection is 42-year-old Francisco Ricafort, a passionate listener of all genres with an enviable background in all things tuneful, even though he admits, “I’ve never studied music – I can’t read a score or play an instrument.”
The Listening Philosophy of Francisco Ricafort
With his exceptional talent for seeking out the best artists for the club’s vibe, Ricafort is the director of music at Carlyle & Co., a name steeped in club history. Modelled on the Carlyle in New York, which the Rosewood Hotel Group bought a few years ago, the Hong Kong venue retraces and refreshes the atmosphere of its Stateside namesake, which has hosted the world’s finest jazz musicians. “We’ve tried to emulate the level of service, music and quality of New York. Over there, they have the chance to invite Hollywood or Broadway stars, which is hard for us, but we’re working on it,” says Ricafort, daydreaming as he recaps the short history of the club, which he describes as a kind of springboard for the Asian market.
In Search for International Talent
“We don’t want to use the term jazz club, even though jazz will always be the foundation. People want to relax and listen to great music, so we’ve got to have quality and class. We have jazz, funk, soul, R&B, Motown. We have international singers every four to five weeks, top-level newcomers from the US and UK. We also try to figure out if they’ll become famous, and it must be said we’ve always been lucky.” The artist selection process involves many variables to balance market demands with the needs of Carlyle & Co. and the rich heritage that comes with its name. “In the past, I’ve worked in nightclubs with DJs like Diplo, Steve Aoki, and Kendrick Lamar before he became famous. I listen to a lot of music to keep up with trends and know which artists are in vogue or promising,” continues Ricafort.
Carlyle & Co.’s Musical Journey
“When I started working here, I said to myself, ‘We have to do jazz,’ but we soon realised that no one really stayed here for pure jazz; we saw that plenty of people didn’t like it.
The following year, we switched to half jazz and half other genres, and today jazz accounts for 15 per cent, but we haven’t forgotten jazz lovers. We look for artists who play different genres, including ’80s and ’90s pop in the style of Diana Ross and Whitney Houston. We ask artists to be entertainers. They have to know how to engage with the audience sitting near the stage. You’ve got to interact; you can’t be an introvert,” says Ricafort. For resident musicians and singers, the hotel becomes their home: “We have eight rooms in the hotel for members, and the artists practically live here.”
From Live Music to DJ sets – the Events Shaped by Francisco Ricafort
But it’s not just live music. If you can have a blast once a year, twice is even better, and Ricafort fully draws on his distinguished background in nightlife tailored to an adult clientele. “Twice a year, we throw a party on the terrace with international DJs. Our core members are people over 35-40, and of those, only 400 love clubbing. In any case, we want to be a fun and chic club, sassy and fabulous but always classy. We’re not here to create random events,” smiles Ricafort.
The Behind-the-Scenes Craft of Setting the Mood
Everything is fine as long as music plays a key role. That’s why it’s equally crucial to carefully curate the background music accompanying the arrival at the club. “We also invest a lot of time in the background music. These aren’t Spotify playlists. There’s a specific selection depending on the bar, lounge and speakeasy.”
Technical aspects count, too, and they’re often overlooked by many professionals: “You need a good sound system and excellent lighting to create a good atmosphere. I always think about the experience. If I opened my own place, music and cocktails would be the focus, and good music takes a lot of effort.” So, will he ever have a place of his own? For now, Ricafort is staying tight-lipped, playfully projecting his imagination into reality.
The Rhythm of the Night, According to Francisco Ricafort
But for certain, acoustics will be essential to enhancing an evening’s sounds, which have also changed for him over time. “When I was 20, electronic music was the sound for a night out. It was the techno era. Then your tastes change; you get a better understanding of live music. I also went through a hip-hop and R&B phase. Today, I’m married with two kids and I listen to amazing singers.
It’s fascinating how they send their set list, turn up, rehearse for a couple of hours and already manage to know everything. I have a lot of respect for musicians and their language. They understand each other with a glance and a nod on stage.” Ultimately, Ricafort’s evolution has allowed him to stay true to music and grow with it: “When I arrived in Hong Kong in 2005 2006, I didn’t know what to expect. Eighteen years later, I’m still here doing what I love: creating experiences.” And maybe, sooner or later, he’ll have his own venue.
The article first appeared on Coqtail – for fine drinkers. Order your copy here
Photo by Julie Couder x Coqtail – all rights reserved
