fri 17/05/2024

London Jazz Festival: Roberto Fonseca & Mayra Andrade | reviews, news & interviews

London Jazz Festival: Roberto Fonseca & Mayra Andrade

London Jazz Festival: Roberto Fonseca & Mayra Andrade

Buena Vista youngster takes centre stage

Roberto Fonseca, demonstrating 'jazz cool'robertofonseca.com

I have seen Roberto Fonseca play before – in Havana backing Omara Portuondo and in London with the incomparable Ibrahim Ferrer - so although I was well aware of his ferocious talent I had no idea of how he would fare as a solo star. And I have seen plenty of jazz before, including Latin-style jazz – but only in venues the size of pub function rooms, generally full of nicotine-stained old men, so I had some trepidation about how it would come over in a venue as clean and swanky as the Royal Festival Hall.

I have seen Roberto Fonseca play before – in Havana backing Omara Portuondo and in London with the incomparable Ibrahim Ferrer - so although I was well aware of his ferocious talent I had no idea of how he would fare as a solo star. And I have seen plenty of jazz before, including Latin-style jazz – but only in venues the size of pub function rooms, generally full of nicotine-stained old men, so I had some trepidation about how it would come over in a venue as clean and swanky as the Royal Festival Hall.

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Comments

Amazing show, i was blown away by Fonseca talent, not only on the piano but with interacting with the public. at the end of the show everyone was dancing gasping for more!!! Im glad i was there!

Excellent point about 'global/world music' sometimes weakened by the abundance of gloss via the influence of their mentors. Good piece Joe.

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