Jazz Plaza a Gift for the Soul

By IRINA ECHARRY,  photos by CARIDAD

HAVANA TIMES, February 16 -Those of us who were at Havana’s Amadeo Roldan Theater the night of Friday the 13th were treated to a journey to paradise, the paradise of music.

• Chucho Valdes Presents New Band

Rolando Luna’s hands put all his feelings on to the piano, which for nearly two hours would receive the caresses of some of the most talented musicians sharing the stage at Jazz Plaza 2009.

Luna paid tribute to Orlando “Cachaito” Lopez, bassist of the Buena Vista Social Club who died recently and who he had as a professor and had the privilege to work with on stage. Luna played songs off his new CD alucinaciones and with much modesty thanked the audience for having listened to him, as if his music wasn’t a gift for the ears and soul.

Now accustomed to his sensibility, pianist Harold Lopez Nusa with his brother on the drums and Felipe Cabrera on standup bass showed that his version of Tres goles de Cervantes is revitalized each time he plays it.

Jacques Bouniard (France) didn’t say a single word, although he captivated the audience with the profoundness of his cords. The black and white keys alternated at his whim on the melodies that came from deep down. More deliberate that the Cuban pianists, perhaps with less passion, Bouniard had an intensity that didn’t need another discourse that wasn’t coming from his hands.

The closing band was Roberto Fonseca and Temperamento which had the theater vibrating. Roberto made use of all of his virtues; as always playing not only with his hands but with his entire body and voice. His vocalizations put a personal touch on the songs and helped to interact with an audience that enthusiastically cooperated with the chorus. Fonseca also dedicated a song to Cachaito and to pianist and composer Harold Gramatges, who also died recently.

The evening was further proof of the fascination of young Cuban musicians for the piano. They seemed to recognize the work of their teachers and move on, while enveloping those that listen to them in a mysterious halo of music and energy. And the audience reacted favorably, allowing itself to go on the journey.

Click on the thumbnails to see all the photos in the Jazz Plaza 2009 gallery