DUBAI’S 5TH INTERNATINAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2007 PULLED MRE THAN…
The News Review:
- DUBAI’S 5TH INTERNATINAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2007 PULLED MRE THAN…
- Azul Magos Herrera and Lila Downs
- Mardo El Noor Arabian Days & Nights
DUBAI’S 5TH INTERNATINAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2007 PULLED MRE THAN…
eJazzNews – Mar 21, 2007
Suitably ‘warmed up’ by Kamal the audience welcomed the second act a living legend in the person of the soulful Freddy Cole. Cole already a confirmed favorite of the UAE’s jazz and blues aficionados did not disappoint. Playing to his audience Cole delivered a polished performance in his inimitable easy going style which coupled with his unforgettably husky voice and acute sense of melodic and rhythmic phrasing made his interpretations of both pop and jazz music very much his own. Manoukian enthralled the strong Lebanese contingent and others with cover versions of Fairouz and traditional Armenian songs ‘jazzed up’ (if you’ll pardon the pun) with catchy upbeat rhythms that had people literally dancing all around; these were featured alongside several of his own compositions. Manoukian was called back on stage to perform another number that kept the crowd applauding until long after the stage lights were extinguished. The artist who topped the bill on the first night was the spectacular Dee Dee Bridgewater putting on a powerful show with the aid of her Malian family ?The Dee Dee Bridgewater Malian Project?… Cole already a confirmed favorite of the UAE’s jazz and blues aficionados did not disappoint. Playing to his audience Cole delivered a polished performance in his inimitable easy going style which coupled with his unforgettably husky voice and acute sense of melodic and rhythmic phrasing made his interpretations of both pop and jazz music very much his own. Manoukian enthralled the strong Lebanese contingent and others with cover versions of Fairouz and traditional Armenian songs ‘jazzed up’ (if you’ll pardon the pun) with catchy upbeat rhythms that had people literally dancing all around; these were featured alongside several of his own compositions. Manoukian was called back on stage to perform another number that kept the crowd applauding until long after the stage lights were extinguished. The artist who topped the bill on the first night was the spectacular Dee Dee Bridgewater putting on a powerful show with the aid of her Malian family ?The Dee Dee Bridgewater Malian Project?. Dee Dee’s repertoire delved into the roots of jazz blues and her own history as an ‘Afro-American’.
Azul Magos Herrera and Lila Downs
Houston Press – Mar 21, 2007
” Like Herrera Azul was attracted to American jazz as a young woman. “When I was 15 I started singing professionally. I was really in love with jazz music and the blues. Even through I could barely understand what I was saying I was trying to sing the phonetics and to mimic all the beautiful women who inspired me Ella Fitzgerald Aretha Franklin Mahalia Jackson all these powerful voices. ” While Herrera continues to focus on jazz Azul’s style is more of a fusion. “I’m a very big fan of music from [the United States] of jazz and blues but also I love the acoustic traditional music from around the world especially gypsy music African music and Brazilian music. It’s been my passion to find the little connections that they have with Latin music and to play with [those connections]” she says… Even through I could barely understand what I was saying I was trying to sing the phonetics and to mimic all the beautiful women who inspired me Ella Fitzgerald Aretha Franklin Mahalia Jackson all these powerful voices. ” While Herrera continues to focus on jazz Azul’s style is more of a fusion. “I’m a very big fan of music from [the United States] of jazz and blues but also I love the acoustic traditional music from around the world especially gypsy music African music and Brazilian music. It’s been my passion to find the little connections that they have with Latin music and to play with [those connections]” she says. “What is it?” she laughs. “I would call it Latin roots fusion with a hint of everything else. ” Asked what labels she uses to describe her music Herrera is characteristically frank.
Mardo El Noor Arabian Days & Nights
Al-Bawaba – Mar 21, 2007
Mardo (Murad Wajdi) El Noor is well known for his outstanding crossover compositions. This is his third album and perhaps his best. The album showcases the beauty of classical Arabic music in harmony with the soothing sounds of Jazz and modern beats that makes the entire album a fantastic experience. © 2007 Al Bawaba (www.