Vitoria, (EFE).- The musical delicacy and the smile of Silvia Pérez Cruz have taken over this Saturday the closing of the 46th edition of the Vitoria Jazz Festival. It has been a masterful concert marked by the voice of the singer-songwriter who has shown all her artistic qualities.
The timbre and fragility of the Catalan artist’s voice has flooded the Vitoria venue. Mendizorroza has vibrated with a versatile virtuoso.
He has given himself body and soul to present his latest work, “Toda la vida, un día”, before a packed Mendizorroza with 3,000 spectators.
The spectators have not left their seats until after midnight in the longest concert of the festival.
The prizes fall from his hands, but that has not dehumanized him. Pérez Cruz was recognized with the National Current Music Award in 2022.
The composer and singer Silvia Pérez Cruz at the Vitoria Jazz Festival. EFE\ David Aguilar
In 2019 he got a Max for best original music for Grito Pelao; and in 2017 she won the Goya for the best original song for the composition “Ai, ai, ai” for the film ‘Cerca de tu casa’, by Eduard Cortés.
Catalan and Spanish have been present in her themes, which have composed a journey with five movements, as she herself has described. They have gone through childhood, youth, maturity, old age, and rebirth.
Project that drinks from many sources
She has been accompanied by Carlos Montfort (violins, percussion, trumpet and keyboards), Marta Roma (cello and trumpet) and Bori Albero (double bass and keyboards). She has gone through the guitar, the sax, the keyboards and the synthesizers.
Cruz has emulated the 90 musicians who went through the recording of a project that has drawn from many sources and numerous points on the planet.
One of the most intimate moments of the festival has been the almost a cappella interpretation of “Ayuda” that has been marked with Carlos Manfort.
Little light, a lot of voice and a mysticism that has taken over an open-mouthed crowd with the ease that the Catalan’s vocal cords have presented.
This has introduced the public to several of its pieces, to round off a great night that has closed with three encores.
Specifically, “Gallo rojo, gallo negro” by popular request and two other songs with the Brazilian guitarist Yamandú Costa. Costa has returned the visit that she has made him at the Theater in the afternoon.
The saxophonist Ariel Brínguez transferred the Cuban heat to Vitoria. EFE \ David Aguilar
The heat has come early. Ariel Brínguez has transferred Vitoria to Cuba with the pristine sound of “Cuban Nostalgia” and a quintet that has been delivered to the public.
Strapped to his saxophone, the man from Santa Clara has led his teammates with a charisma typical of the Caribbean island.
Cuba in Mendizorroza
“Cuba Linda” has opened the repertoire. Brínguez did not want to miss the opportunity to ask his band for recognition.
Thus, Pablo Guitérrez (piano), Javier Sánchez (guitar), Darío Guibert (double bass) and Federico Marini (drums) got the applause practically before starting a concert in which Brínguez conquered the parish with his word in front of the microphone .
This Madrid-based professor stands out for his delicacy in each note, either with the tenor or soprano sax, which he has brought to life in “Juramento”. This piece has been finished off by Javier Sánchez navigating the neck of his guitar in an outstanding solo.
Cuba has been noted with “La Sitiera”, to the rhythm of danzón and an impeccable Brínguez who has not abandoned his humor every time he took the microphone between songs.
Afro-Cuban therapy proposal
The Cuban teacher has had time to play with the public through what he has called “Afro-Cuban therapy proposal.” With it he has imbued a dedicated pavilion with Caribbean rhythm that he has enjoyed and did not want the end to come when Brínguez has overtaken him.
But before that, a spectacular performance was scored with “Hermosa Habana” in which he recited a Cuban poem that gave way to the best solo by Javier Sánchez and his guitar.
The stands were left wanting more until the encore arrived, “Un día de noviembre”.
This theme that has filled the public and Brínguez’s soprano sax. He has once again highlighted the quality of this artist, who during the 90 minutes of the concert has not taken off a jacket or a Cuban hat and has maintained an unparalleled style.
The last day began with the Brazilian Yamandú Costa at the Teatro Principal. He has closed his concert with two songs to which Silvia Pérez Cruz has joined, before taking the Mendizorroza stage to put a great finishing touch to the 46th edition of the Vitoria Jazz Festival. EFE