Comments on: Latest reviews and interviews about Congo Square

By: MIke Mitchell

MIke Mitchell — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 20:23:04 +0000

Wow!!! Just saw Congo Square the Montreal Jazz festival and it was an amazing expression of music. The subtle and effective use of African and American jazz music was rich with the best of both. THe clever shifting from an African rhythm to the early jazz sounds was a great musical lesson on the origns of jazz. The LCO is a powerful group of the best qulality musicians, but add to that the extraordinary talent of Yacub Addy and you will be spellbound. I would have liked to hear more of Wynton, but his music spoke volumes that I will be digesting for years!!!!

By: Luigi Beverelli

Luigi Beverelli — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 16:48:49 +0000

3 New amateur video from a jam sessione after the Rochester performance of Congo Square:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dd9ZqXBSTE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J3uEbqyKGc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1EbI2NlE9M

By: Yanik delaney

Yanik delaney — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:54:58 +0000

I was anxious to hear the Montreal performance of Congo Square. Being an Historian, i have to confess (with shame) that i had no clue what the title’s reference was about and as a ticket buyer… i had no idea as of what to expect from this new and unknown material. This bizarre equation of African traditionnal music and contemporary Jazz gave us a concert of pure delight during wich both my hands and feet kept moving. I was not asking for more but i got it through the amazing solos of Wynton, the brilliant contribution of the two ensembles who became one during the performance. To end this amazing musical evening, i had the chance to meet with this extremely simple and generous music hero of mine. I have only one regret, i forgot to ask him this question … who won the chess game?

By: Frank Lima

Frank Lima — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:47:35 +0000

I just wanted to drop a line to tell you how inspired, enlightened, and fascinated tonight after seeing Congo Square at Allen theatre in Cleveland. I met you after and It is going to be a highlight in my life. I heard you talking technical music with my uncle Franko. I will always cherish that night. Thanks for your warmth and your beautiful music.

Frank Lima.

By: Janet D.

Janet D. — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 03:33:33 +0000

I had the privalege of seeing Mr. Marsalis, Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra and Odadaa with Mr. Addy during the Columbia Festival of The Arts. Fabulous does not even come close in describing the concert!

The mixture of African percussion instruments and the virtuosity and sophistication of the jazz musicans was intoxicating. Oftentimes, I didn’t know where to look on the stage…could I keep my eyes off of the left part of the stage where members of Odadaa were using their hands and feet to make drums, bongos and bells sing..or should I look on the right side of the stage to see the pianist dance up and down the keys. The look of admirition from musician to musician was powerful…you could just feel the love fest being emitted from Jazz @ Lincoln Center back and forth to and from Odadaa. And, I loved all the singers….even Mr. Marsalis’ solo.

I suggest that you run and not walk to the city nearest you in order to see this concert. They
sold out of the CD’s…so it seems that I’m going to have to wait until the fall to purchase 2 CD’s. One to play to death and the other as the replacement CD when the first one has been become unplayable.

By: gloria

gloria — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 17:00:00 +0000

Amina Addy offered interesting insights into the connection between African music and New Orleans jazz, and the fusion of these traditions in Congo Square. The combined bands effectively merge the African rhythms, and call and response, with improvisation and sophisticated harmonies of jazz in the ways Amina explained. Still I found the melodies and vocals to be as powerful as the rhythmic collaboration throughout the work. Outdoor festivals would provide the best venues for the performance of Congo Square.

Thanks for updates, hope everyone’s summer is going well …with safe travels, even if this season is all passing too quickly!! Glo.