Gig review/ NCPA International Jazz Festival

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

NCPA International Jazz Festival 

Artistes: Thilo Wolf Big Band, Emmet Cohen Trio, Alfredo Rodriguez Trio, Jane Monheit

Genre: Jazz

Details: Nov 24 to 26, Tata Theatre, Mumbai

Pictures: Emmet Cohen Trio with trumpeter Benny Benack III (top), and Thilo Wolf Big Band with guests Johanna Iser and Torsten Goods (bottom, Wolf not in frame). Pictures are screen grabs from video reel on NCPA website)

Rating: ****

The Grand Piano was the star of the NCPA International Jazz Festival held at the Tata Theatre from November 24 to 26. Each day featured a different style, a different experience on the magical ivories. The trombone, trumpet, saxophone, double bass, vibraphone, drums and human voices only added to the variety.

If Day 1 had German pianist Thilo Wolf play with his Big Band, the following evening had a literal piano masterclass by American genius Emmet Cohen. On the rainy last day, Cuba-born Alfredo Rodriguez stunned the packed hall with his effortless playing. And though he played a minor role, pianist Max Haymer gave just the right accompaniment to vocalist Jane Monheit and guest saxophonist Joel Frahm in the finale.

At the post-concert garden get-together on the final night, connoisseurs were overheard discussing who they found better between Cohen and Rodriguez. My own vote would go to Cohen, for one simple reason. His set had more cohesion and collective improvisation. While Rodriguez came up with many outstanding individual passages, examples being 'Aye Mama Ines' and an incredible version of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', the other band members (bassist Jesus Bachiller and drummer Michael Olivera) remained relatively subdued. There were elements of playing to the gallery on 'Besame Mucho' and 'Guantanamera', but no complaints about that, as it's something that appeals to the majority.

In comparison to Rodriguez' individual genius, Cohen's act was all about team magic. He too had his individual solos on the Yamaha Grand, like on the Rodgers-Hammerstein standard 'The Surrey With The Fringe On Top' and the original 'Sippin The Tea'. But each musician had his say. Guest trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III shone on Duke Ellington's 'In A Mellow Tone', the version of Billy Joel's 'Just The Way You Are', the original 'You Already Know' and the humorous 'Benny's From Heaven', which re-interpreted a piece popularised by James Moody. Drummer Kyle Poole was consistently tight, playing like a chameleon changing colours and moods within songs. And who can forget Philip Norris' stunning upright bass solo on 'Tea For Two'? When was the last time we heard that instrument played so magnificently in Mumbai?

Like Cohen, the opening day's bandleader Thilo Wolf gave an equal chance to his group. This one was a Big Band - four saxophonists, three trumpets, three trombones, besides bass and drums. Add to that three soloists - singer Johanna Iser, guitarist-vocalist Torsten Goods and vibraphonist Florian Buhrich. Yet everything was so controlled, from the group cohesion to the individual solos, from Goods singing George Benson's 'On Broadway' (with a Marine Drive twist) and Van Morrison's 'Have I Told You Lately' and Iser excelling on the standard 'When I Fall In Love' and the specially-created 'Coke Masala Blues'. A fresh take on 'Sunny', written by Bobby Webb and popularised by Boney M, added to the nostalgia.

With the Big Band, Wolf had to play the role of conductor too, and one saw him frequently come out of his chair to wave a non-existent baton. And when the vocalists were in action, a neat balance was maintained between their parts and the orchestral arrangements. The pianist had come with a Quartet, along with Iser at last year's festival. The way he switched to another format this time was admirable.

There was more vocal music to come in Monheit's Sunday finale. The crowd was still recovering from the Rodriguez magic, and was probably expecting familiar tunes. But barring Irving Berlin's 'Cheek To Cheek' and the English adaptation of Antonio Carlos Jobim's 'Waters of March', it was more or less a diehard connoisseur's set list. There was some variety from the Portuguese songs 'Meu Pais' and 'Comecar de Novo', penned by Brazilian songwriter Ivan Lins. Saxophonist Frahm, pianist Max Haymer, drummer Rick Montalbano and bassist Karl McComas-Reichl were tight but what was needed was more singalong and clapalong.

Overall, it was a balanced festival providing a good assortment of styles. The sound was well-handled on all three days, and the crowd was receptive. We're sure some of the musicians, specially those coming to India for the first time, were overwhelmed by the general reaction, specially in response to those splendid piano runs and one unforgettable stretch on the double bass.