Music
Jazzmatazz: Kate Pittard with the Renaissance quartet
A walk through memory lane
Faizul A Tanim
British American Tobacco and Rothmans presented a wonderful mix of Latin and R&B jazz concert on January 28 at the Osmani Memorial Hall with a great line-up. Among the performers were jazz artist Kate Pittard and the fêted jazz influenced band of the town, Renaissance. When the doors opened and the concert enthusiasts filled the lobby, some engaged in small talk, while others refreshed themselves with a cool beverage or coffee. As the evening moved towards the event, enthusiasts began to fill their seats in the concert hall and eagerly waited for the show to begin. Although the gig ran a little late, it was well worth the wait.Opening with Masquerade, the band of talented players came out swinging. Saxophonist-singer Pittard was a marvel. Reza on electric guitars, Naquib on piano, Bogey on bass playing, Pilu on drums and Hablu on percussions were all so imaginative, entertaining and melodic, weaving their way around the listener's ear. The semi-acoustic sax-piano-bass-drums line up played more traditional Jazz composition than the original ones with its electric/acoustic music kit. The show continued with songs like Stormy Weather, Summer Time and Route 66. The melodic progressions reminded of nostalgic elements flowing through the minds of the listeners. It was rather a walk through the memory lane as one listened to the songs reminding of happy the music from the early '60s romantic films. The list continued with famed tracks as Take Five, So Danco Samba, Oye Comova, Girl from Ipanema and many more. The musicians looked like they were genuinely having fun together. The music swung at times and was widely appreciated by a wide range of listeners. There was much improvisation within the melody of existing songs. Most of the songs performed were saxophone based with superb guitar works, filling bass and amazing percussion often reminding of songs like Don Quixote by Neil Diamond, were all tracks with blissful vibes. Just the Way You Are starting with a catchy piano intro ending up to stylish and spontaneous saxophonist solo went along great with the audience. The men did a couple of instrumentals exhibiting harmony between bass, drums, guitar and piano. As the evening came to the closing songs, the session of vibrant music refreshed the audience after a hard day of work. As the huge auditorium felt the presence of applauding fulfilments towards the end, the viewers serenading to Just the way you are during goodbye, shaped the reaction of a well worth visit.
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Kate Pittard: The Jazz musician all the way from USA |