Tonight's show in the Antique theatre features three different but very complimentary talents.
Michel Portal has been on the jazz scene for a very long time, one of France's elder statesmen of jazz and someone who is always looking for new younger talent to bring tot he big stage.
Playing here with long time keyboards associate Bojan Z, and young and very talented American trumpet Player Ambrose Akinmusire. Ambrose who has already played with some of the best in the field is a prodigious talent, already having won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition - someone to watch in the future.
Bojan Z on piano
Ambrose Akinmusire
Michel Portal
The band played a great set - complex and sonically dense - but lyrical and always interesting - each solo perfectly placed and tastefully executed.
The evening started with a great little bonus - a three song set by Sylvian Luc , the French guitarist who has played with Richard Galliano, Birelli Lagrene and more recently Manu Katche -
It was an exquisite set - only three songs - but absolutely beautiful! He was later to join Manu Katche for several numbers in his set.
Manu Katche featured an interesting line up to his band. With electric bassist Laurent Verneray, Norwegian saxophonist Tore Brunborg, and Alfio Origlio on piano and Fender Rhodes and guesting on several tracks Sylvian Luc.
The set was more accessible than Portal's and was funky and hip without descending into Kenny G territory - some might say too much so. Tore Brunborg however is a great saxophonist without too obvious a Norwegian overtone to his playing, but enough to make it stand out and offer something different and refreshing within this electric setup.
I do live Fender Rhodes in jazz and this was a prime example of how good that sound can be especially when coupled with solid bass playing as here. A great band paying great music - and Katche was nicely restrained on the kit and one could say, led by example!
Tonight's shows feature the music of Brasil with sets from Carlinhos Brown (he of the white hat) and Mart'nalia.
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