The outstanding piano duo of Kenny Barron and Eliane Elias play against the backdrop of New York City’s skyline, and Lionel Loueke holds the flag for the next generation of world music.
Takehiko Tokiwa
In October 2004, in addition to their large-scale performance hall, Jazz at the Lincoln Center opened three medium-to-large-sized performing arts spaces: the Frederick P. Rose Theater, the Allen Room, and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola; a space where you can enjoy live jazz performances seven nights a week. These new spaces were designed to best project the sound of jazz performances, providing a remarkably improved acoustic environment. This is compared to a few drawbacks at the Lincoln Center music hall, such as the slightly excessive reverberation with both rhythmic and electric instruments. Since 2005, performances at the New York JVC Jazz Festival have been held at these venues, where renowned artists such as Chick Corea have performed in the past. This year, a joint concert between prominent jazz pianist Kenny Barron and Brazilian pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias was presented at the Allen Room. Details of the performance follow.
The Allen Room houses approximately 500 people. Behind the stage is a massive wall of glass windows, offering a splendid panoramic view over Columbus Circle, Central Park and the skyscrapers of New York City. Performances in the early evening allow the audience to enjoy a view of Manhattan’s sunset in a blaze of glory, slowly illuminating the cityscape at dusk. The distinguished music adds yet another level of luxury to the atmosphere.
Kenny Barron(p)
Introduced as a “living legend” to the audience, Kenny Barron appeared on stage. “I’m not old enough to be called a living legend, I’m afraid,” said Barron, who then proceeded to play a swinging solo piano piece. He was later joined by Marc Johnson (b) and Satoshi Takeishi (ds), the regular members of Eliane Elias’s trio. The three went on to perform a standard-style original piece.
Shortly after the warm-up performance, Eliane Elias appeared on stage with a spellbinding aura, radiating elegance and grace. The standard “The Way You Look Tonight” started as a duo, as the two rhythm section members left the stage. Eliane Elias’ unique harmonic sense, characterized by her use of Brazilian “tension notes” (discordant intervals), was complemented by the great jazz pianist Kenny Barron, creating a refreshing contrast. The strong groove moved to even greater heights as the two artists each played a solo, drawing the audience into the music.
Eliane Elias(p)
Kenny Barron’s performance ended in loud applause, and the audience then welcomed back the rhythm section with the addition of guitarist Freddy Bryant. The band began playing “Chega de Saudade” by the legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim. Eliane Elias spoke to the crowd, explaining that she saw Antonio Carlos Jobim and his friend Vinicius de Moreira sitting in the audience when, at 17, she played this song at a club in her home town of São Paulo. Elias said she clearly remembers that special moment whenever she plays this song. She began on a low note in a dark, husky voice, and as the music picked up, an improvised section of music led up to the piano solo. While the band performed numerous songs of Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as several by her greatest influence, Bill Evans, the stage lights were dimmed, creating a silky, romantic ambience.
Eliane Elias(p),Kenny Barron(p)
For the closing set, Kenny Barron appeared again, playing Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Wave” for an encore. After a few solid numbers from his Brazilian-themed album, this amazing performance drew to a close as he received long, loud round of applause.
Along with its connection to the Frederick P. Rose Theater and local communities, the most important features of the JVC Jazz Festival New York are the events that are organized in association with local jazz clubs, which play the key role in maintaining New York’s jazz scene, in highlighting both young and avant-garde artists.
Lionel Loueke
Take, for example, a live event at the Jazz Standard featuring up-and-coming guitarist/vocalist Lionel Loueke. Born in Benin, West Africa, with time spent in the Ivory Coast and Paris, Lionel Loueke came to the U.S. to study music in 1999. Ever since playing with Terence Blanchard (tp) in 2002, his fame has grown considerably. Also through working with Herbie Hancock’s band, he was able to take his exceptional talent to the worldwide stage.
On this occasion, in addition to the core members of his latest album, “Virgin Forest,” Italian Massimo Biolcati (b) & Polish Ferenc Nemeth (ds), the band was an interesting mix of nationalities, with special guests Marcus Miller (el-b) and Swiss-native Gregoire Maret (harmonica), a member of the band led by Cassandra Wilson (vo).
Lionel Loueke (g.vo), Massimo Biolcati (b), Gregoire Maret (harmonica), Ferenc Nemeth (ds)
Much like his albums, Lionel Loueke’s beautiful falsetto voice harmonized with his gut-stringed guitar’s soothing chords, which were themselves seasoned with pleasantly surprising rhythmic patterns. Lionel Loueke signed with Blue Note Records to release his first major-label album early next year, with recordings with his trio scheduled for this summer. One can be sure that this promising young musician will be a star to watch in the near future.
Links
Eliane Elias http://www.elianeelias.com/
Kenny Barron http://www.kennybarron.com/
Lionel Loueke http://www.lionelloueke.com/
Jazz at Lincoln Center http://www.jalc.org/
Jazz Standard http://www.jazzstandard.net/
6/24 The Allen Room, 6/26 Jazz Standard, NYC
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