Vienne Jazz Festival 30th July

Tonights show had on offer two of the great piano players of our time. From America the incomparable Hank Jones, 90 years old and still as sharp as a pin and from Europe Martal Solal, a man described as a cross between Cecil Taylor and Victor Borge!. The show was split into three parts. The first part was Martal playing with five other pianists is a specialy composed piece for the festival. Made possible by Bosendorfer (who provided all the pianos) the piece was a fantastic piece allowing for individual improvisation within a loose structure written by Solal.

It worked, and it worked brilliantly.

The second show was Solal and Jones 'in conversation', playing pieces they both knew the pair (with Solal's great rhythym section) exchanged solos and little refelections of past works in a joyful and very warm way. The respect they obviously show to each other never got in the way of little nuances and Jones' little pieces of mischief!

Half of the 6 pianos from the first set.

The full set of 6 pianos and Rhythym section on stage

A truly great and memorable show! The last part of the show featured Solal playing with L'Orchestre de l'Opera de Lyon which was a great piece but not good for photos as the stage was fully packed with orchestra music stands and conductor and from the pit there is very little to see! None the less it was a very good show.

Later, much later, at the Club Mix it was the turn of the Magic Malik Orchestra with Sanne Van Heck on keys. Playing very cool almost 'trance' jazz the swishing swirly sounds with Coltrane and Bach influences, were a perfect wind down from the piano jazz at the main theatre antique. Malik Mezzadri's flute could be heard wafting down the Rhone as we made it back to base for some sleep and recouperation!

Tonights show features Chaka Khan and David Sanborn (thankfully not at the same time) see you tomorrow!

Vienne Jazz Festival 2009

So, here we are again in the lovely town of Vienne, just outside of Lyon for one of France's premiere festivals. The mains shows take place in the Theatre Antique, a Roman ampitheatre perfectly suited to evening concerts.

This years festival was brilliantly kicked off with Africa night featuring three excellent show.

First up was Cheick Tidinae Seck featuring 90 year old piano legend Hank Jones - Hank is playing later in the week but here was guesting with Seck (on Hammond) and his vibrant band.
Round of applause for Hank!

One of the backing singers

Cheick Tidiane Seck
One of Oumou Sangare's backing singers
The middle show features Oumou Sangare a beautiful singer and performer from Mali. Her show was full of movement and joyful life - with a great band and eye catching dancers/backing vocalists.



Don't ask!!
The top of the bill was huge Sengalese icon in France Youssou N'Dour. A superstar in the shores his songs were sung by the audience and he was clapped and cheered at every move. A great show to get the body moving and the heart pumping (even at 12.45am after a long day on the autoroute!)







Tonights show is the Gospel night featuring the Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra and Gregory Hopkins - and monday features two big - Laurent Cugny and Jason Lidner - so watch this space!!