Spanish Guitar and Long Legs
Amar, Sheshu, Anu and I went to see Roni Benise at the San Jose Center for Performing Arts. I should say this theater looks exactly like the Gary Gammage Hall at ASU. This is a different class of concert compared to the ones I have been to, so far and hence this blog.
Benise is very artistic with his Spanish Guitar, his only instrument. I am sure he has spent numerous hours practising classical music, the likes of Andrés Segovia. However, to augment this simplicity, he ostentates with his appearance (unlike other guitar obsessionists), an elaborate stage, outlandish dancers, a very enthusiastic fiddler and multi-talented percussionists. Another Yanni in the making.
Most of the audience was introduced to this concert by KQED. The show was sold out. Most of the audience was over 40 years of age -- thanks to the hip-hop culture. The group, infact, hails from Southern California.
The show was visually and aurally appealing. Amar, for one, was probably dancing salsa and tango in his imagination. All the dancers were "Fine Ones", in his very words and ofcourse professional. They ranged from tap-dancers, salsa, tango and afro-cuban. The stage was a look alike of a spanish courtyard with balconies and gates. Lighting was musical. Benise's performance was mostly on the happy "key" to keep the enthusiasm up all the time. I appreciated his respect for all his team mates, in that he let others present their own piece while he watched with us. The fiddler, a class of her own, performed solo here and there to add a chromatic touch. See, you can't quite tap your foot while someone is playing the Violin and I notice every one just becomes awed by listening to it motionless. Cuban dance was a feast to ones eyes. The afro-cuban drums would get one dancing and clapping involutarily. Benise picked a lucky woman from the audience and pleased her by playing beside her. Good sell job, man. The encore performance was a take-away.
He vows to be here next year. Its a good art-performance to goto, if you missed it this time.
Benise is very artistic with his Spanish Guitar, his only instrument. I am sure he has spent numerous hours practising classical music, the likes of Andrés Segovia. However, to augment this simplicity, he ostentates with his appearance (unlike other guitar obsessionists), an elaborate stage, outlandish dancers, a very enthusiastic fiddler and multi-talented percussionists. Another Yanni in the making.
Most of the audience was introduced to this concert by KQED. The show was sold out. Most of the audience was over 40 years of age -- thanks to the hip-hop culture. The group, infact, hails from Southern California.
The show was visually and aurally appealing. Amar, for one, was probably dancing salsa and tango in his imagination. All the dancers were "Fine Ones", in his very words and ofcourse professional. They ranged from tap-dancers, salsa, tango and afro-cuban. The stage was a look alike of a spanish courtyard with balconies and gates. Lighting was musical. Benise's performance was mostly on the happy "key" to keep the enthusiasm up all the time. I appreciated his respect for all his team mates, in that he let others present their own piece while he watched with us. The fiddler, a class of her own, performed solo here and there to add a chromatic touch. See, you can't quite tap your foot while someone is playing the Violin and I notice every one just becomes awed by listening to it motionless. Cuban dance was a feast to ones eyes. The afro-cuban drums would get one dancing and clapping involutarily. Benise picked a lucky woman from the audience and pleased her by playing beside her. Good sell job, man. The encore performance was a take-away.
He vows to be here next year. Its a good art-performance to goto, if you missed it this time.
posted by Peru | 11:15 AM
1 Comments:
Coolax.. sounds like a fun concert.
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