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Thomas Barth Trio
www.thomasbarth.com
with
Massimo Biolcati, Bass
Ian Froman, Drums
At
Satalla
www.satalla.com
37 West 26th Street
NY, NY
212.576.1155
May 11, 2004
Program:
Sunset
Where Dreams may go
Sleeping Beauty
Borea/ Sirius Papers
Father To Son
Amalthea
Reverie d'elf
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
May 11, 2004 In a sparkling combination of New Age, World Music, and Jazz, Thomas Barth and his Trio opened the set at Satalla tonight with momentum, as Sunset was imbued with a driving rhythm that fused ethnic elements and jazz. Biolcati’s bass led Where Dreams may go, as Barth’s piano played repetitive chords, followed again by a buoyant bass solo. Crescendos of Froman’s driven percussion closed the piece.
Sleeping Beauty began with a melancholy piano solo, very original and very evocative. Barth switched keys, and romantic piano melodies evolved, with soothing bass backup and flirtatious percussion. Borea/Sirius Papers was a fascinating piece that included Barth’s playing of the internal piano strings along with the keys. This was a more atonal and edgy work, mixed with Turkish or Egyptian sounds. I thought of Belly Dance rhythms and tonalities, as it expanded with slow, undulating themes. The trio then drove into a combo of sound that filled Satalla with a percussive hurricane.
Father to Son, dedicated to Barth’s son, Chris, was lyrical, upbeat, and innocent in composition, obviously imbued with adoration. Amalthea was reminiscent of Debussy, as piano strings and keys combined in the rapturous lead. Soon, a Salsa beat ensued with contrasting rhythms that led into an extended bass solo, unique, but characteristic of the earlier theme. Reverie d’elf was dreamlike, as the title suggests, with piano and percussion carrying this lovely melody over a rich bass background.
Thomas Barth is a creative and eclectic composer and performer, as he plays barefoot piano with a warmth and casualness that match the ambiance of the brilliant reds, patterned walls and ceiling, and tapestry stools of Satalla. Satalla also serves dinners, snacks, and wine.
If you're thinking of purchasing a new piano, check out Piano Piano on West 55th Street, NYC, or call 212.581.8140, and say you saw them on RobertaOnTheArts.com.
Thomas Barth Trio
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Thomas Barth Trio
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Thomas Barth Trio
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Thomas Barth Trio
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Thomas Barth Trio
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Thomas Barth Trio
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Thomas Barth Trio
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Thomas Barth Trio
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
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