Ourense and Lugo will enjoy the musical instinct of Diego Amador Trío + Llibert Fortuny, two of the greats on the stage. The saxophonist Kenny Garrett will be in charge of the grand finale for this week with a one-off concert on the 25th May at the Teatro Principal in Santiago de Compostela.
The 1906 Jazz Season arrives in Galicia for its most intense week, with the visits of three greats who will play Lugo, Ourense and Santiago de Compostela. Diego Amador Trío+Llibert Fortuny will offer the public a lesson in music on the stage in two joint concerts at the Café Latino in Ourense (Wednesday 21 May) and at the Clavicémbalo in Lugo (Thursday 22 May). Not only this, but on Sunday, one of the greatest stars to perform within the 1906 Jazz Season will play. The Teatro Principal de Santiago will witness the concert offered by Detroit saxophonist, Kenny Garrett, who is one of the most important names on the current jazz scene.
DIEGO AMADOR TRIO + LLIBERT FORTUNY
Amador and Fortuny are two sides of musical language. Belonging to a well-known gypsy family, the pianist is a great example of the heights that someone self-taught can reach. Initially a skilled guitarist, he later on became the drummer in Pata Negra, and finally he sits at a piano bringing to the forefront the sentiment of his song, Diego Amador breathes equal measures of flamenco and jazz with no manuscript paper in the middle. Un circ sense Lleons (Nuevos medios 2004) was the surprising and acclaimed album from the young saxophonist, Llibert Fortuny after having obtained a Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music. Despite his training in the secrets of the best jazz tradition, his versatility when dealing with the different aspects of flamenco and its modern versions is well known, as reflected in his outstanding participation in Chano Dominguez’s New Flamenco Sound. The rapport between Amador and Fortuny on the stage completely eliminates the routes they have each taken until they converged. It doesn’t matter if the spirits invoked are those of Bill Evans or Camarón, nor if the rhythm is marked by swing or “bulerias”. There is no room for doubts: it is a superb lesson in pure musical instinct.
Diego Amador: Piano
Llibert Fortuny: Sax
Israel Varela: Drums
Jesús Garrido: Bass
Café Latino (Ourense) Wednesday 21 May / 10pm
Clavicémbalo (Lugo) Thursday 22 May / Midnight
THE KENNY GARRETT QUINTET
Kenny Garrett needed little time to demonstrate, with an unquestionable identity, that he is much more than that lucky disciple of the electric Miles Davis. Five years under the wing of the trumpet genius aren’t easily forgotten, and the notch will never be erased, but the saxophonist from Detroit has already learnt from the repertoire of three giants: Duke Ellington, Thad Jones and Charles Mingus. Recently, we have heard him with Corea, McLaughlin, McBride and Colaiuta in the explosive Five Peace Band, a 24-carat band in which he stood out for his personal phrasing which undoubtedly contributed to the awarding of the Grammy for the best instrumental jazz album in 2010. Pushing the World Away, his latest recording as band leader, has reaped a fifth nomination for the prestigious award, something which he loses no sleep over. His preoccupation is to pay homage to those musicians that have left a mark. Quotes from Rollins or Coltrane appear naturally in a live show that will surprise you for its joy and spirit of celebration. Simple structures and catchy rhythms, Caribbean tinges, and references to musicians such as Corea or Chucho Valdés and the torrential blow of a mind-blowing alto. With this information it won’t be hard for you to imagine the energy with which Garrett performs on stage. Another hint: the track that he usually closes his shows with is Happy People. Can you guess how you’ll leave the concert?
Kenny Garrett: Sax
Vernell Brown: Piano
Corcoran Holt: Double bass
McClenty Hunter: Drums
Rudy Bird: Percussion
Teatro Principal (Santiago de Compostela) Sunday 25 May/ 8pm
Teatro Lara (Madrid) Monday 26 May / 9pm
