1967-2024. Without a single misstep. This edition of Bergamo Jazz also comes to an end, and it does so, as always, in a big way.
Abdullah Ibrahim, born in 1934, sits down at the Steinway and abandons himself to 45 minutes of uninterrupted solo piano, a stream of consciousness composed of infinite themes that follow one another through countless modulations.
The pianist and composer, who spent most of his life in self-imposed exile from his home country of South Africa in protest against the era’s racial segregation, favors short phrases, ostinatos and stolen tempos.
His style is strongly influenced by Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington, with whom he collaborated before returning to South Africa to become one of the first anti-apartheid spokesmen.
The encore was truly touching, an a cappella song of emigration, standing and without a microphone, leaning on the piano, with his eyes half-closed, almost as if to remember his past far from his homeland.
Totally different, but equally intense, was the atmosphere of the second set, with the Modern Standard Supergroup of Ernie Watts on tenor sax, accompanied by Niels Lan Doky on keyboards, Harvey Mason on drums and Felix Pastorius on bass, temporarily replacing Daryl Jones .
The quartet, whether for Pastorius or for the instrumentation used, is very reminiscent of Weather Report’s approach, and in this capacity it indulges itself in reinterpreting old and new standards in a very personal way.
Absolutely winning, in this sense, is the idea of alternating original songs, fusion milestones such as Chamaleon and Teen Town and new pop-rock classics such as Wonderwall (Oasis), It’s about that walk (Prince’s Powerpuff Girl) and Dancing Barefoot ( Patti Smith).
Many cartridges remained – alas – unexploded in their repertoire, such as Nirvana and Soundgarden who, in previous tours, appeared in the lineup. Nothing to complain about, for goodness sake. Indeed, the presence of Pastorius in place of Jones makes this evening even more interesting and unique.
In short, an overwhelming festival finale.
An anthology of notes, styles, rhythms and ethnicities.
A full-blown musical happening.
But, honestly, was there anything else to expect?
© All rights reserved
Subscribe to our Whatsapp channel and stay updated.
Do you want to read BergamoNews without advertising? Subscribe!
