Herbie Hancock & Charlie Haden

The first show of the day at the Teatro Pavone featured a solo performance by Danilo Rea - a wonderful pianist with a great range of styles and techniques - we saw him last year when he was outstanding and he was just as good in this performance.

The late afternoon show featuring Francesco Fabri was sadly cancelled but a reception hosted by piano manufacturers Fazioli more than made up for any disappointment. Held at the very posh Hotel Brufani the party was to celebrate owner Paulo Fazioli's birthday and who better to play 'Happy Birthday' then Fazioli ambassador Herbie Hancock.

Surrounded by at least a dozen photographers Hancock was unruffled as he sat and played two of the pianos on display (not at the same time of course!). Hancock also had a reunion with friend Yasuhiro Fujioka (Fuji to you and me) - and as reported in yesterdays blog it was Fuji's birthday - which prompted another version of 'Happy Birthday' played by Hancock and a tune specially for him. Rather more weird (in a very nice way) Enzo 'The Bear' (Chief of security and bouncing) for the festival then sat at the same piano as Hancock and proceeded to give a recital of the most beautiful ballads, muttering under his breath as he played 'Herbie who?'.

The Chief member of the Enzo fan club also sat in for a song.

The midnight show featured the Charlie Haden 4tet West with Alan Broadbent (Piano), Ernie Watts (sax) and Rodney Green on drums. The show featured material both recent and going back a long way - including a song he recorded with Ornette Coleman in 1957 - 'Lonely Woman'.

This was a great concert with all the musicians contributing not just great solos but also fantastic interplay and great understanding - Broadbents' gentle style and Watts contrasting energy were just sublime.