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“All that Jazz”
Salon Jazz at Bösendorfer New York
www.bosendorfernewyork.com
200 Lexington Avenue
Suite 902
New York, NY 10016
212.684.1956
Gerhard Feldmann, President
Lisa L. Feldmann, Executive Vice President
Second Year, Début Series, Spring 2007
Bill O’Connell – Dave Valentin Latin Jazz Trio
With Richie Flores
Featuring:
Bill O’Connell on Bösendorfer
(Bill O’Connell Website)
Dave Valentin on Flute
Richie Flores on Congas
And
Bösendorfer Loudspeakers, powered by Art Audio and Gill Audio Design Amplifiers, fed by Einstein's "The Last Record Player" and – connected via Dynamic Design cabling
(Read about Bösendorfer’s New Loudspeakers)
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
May 17, 2007
(See a Review of Bill O’Connell’s CD)
Tonight Gerhard Feldmann and Lisa L. Feldmann, President and EVP at Bösendorfer New York, hosted the first Latin jazz piano event in their jazz series, titled “All that Jazz”. Bill O’Connell played the sparkling and salsa-driven Bösendorfer, Dave Valentin was on his virtuosic flute, and Richie Flores played pulsating congas. The Bösendorfer jazz fans were enthusiastic throughout. Bill O’Connell, who has played with Sonny Rollins and Chet Baker, has composed for Dave Valentin, a Grammy winning artist, for 25 years. Dave Valentin has recorded 15 albums for GRP, having played music since the age of nine, picking up the flute at age 18. Valentin’s CD “World on a String” was nominated for a Latin Grammy. Richie Flores has been playing congas since the age of five, and was a professional at age eight. He performed with Eddie Palmieri and is sought out as a percussionist around the globe.
Program:
“Clavo Canela” (Milton Nascimiento) samba in 3
“Dansette” (Dave Valentin) danzon
“Rhythm-a-ning” (Thelonius Monk) duo with Bill and Richie
“We'll be Together Again” (Jazz Standard) ballad
“Morning” (Clare Fischer) cha-cha
“After The Dust Settled” (Bill O'Connell) solo piano ballad,
dedicated to those who lost their lives and the heroes of 9/11
“Footprints” (Wayne Shorter)
“Afro Blue” (Mongo Santa Maria)
In a solo, duo, and trio, O’Connell, Valentin, and Flores played original tunes from their albums and classic Latin jazz standards with personality and pizzazz. O’Connell’s tribute to the victims of September 11, 2001 was thoughtful and melodic, including hymn-like passages and mournful enhancements. In contrast, Valentin’s salute to Mongo Santa Maria included some vocals, with atonal, edgy flute solos. At times the trio went wild, with total Latin jazz abandon, and at times they performed in sensitive stillness. One piece, dedicated to Hilton Ruiz, featuring flute and piano, in scintillating sensuality, brought Valentin closer to the crowd, as he moved about in this bonded performance. Valentin was vivacious, and O’Connell found new sounds and musical opportunities in the magnificent Bösendorfer. Another piece, dedicated to Tito Puente, showcased rhythmic repetitions and percussive ornamentations.
Richie Flores added tropical resonance, as his expertise on the congas was flawless, whether frenzied or feathery. Bösendorfer New York’s guests experienced a stellar performance by a stellar trio of Latin jazz musicians. According to Bill O’Connell, “This was a wonderful, intimate setting with a great piano for ‘Chamber Latin-Jazz’. Dave, Richie, and I were truly inspired by the setting and the enthusiastic audience response this evening. In the trio format we explored a wide range of dynamics as well as a high level of communication, not always possible in larger group settings.”
A wine and cheese reception followed with an edible fruit arrangement, courtesy of Roberta and Edible Arrangements, West 38th Street, NYC, followed by social networking and some browsing of the fine, assembled Bösendorfers. Bill O’Connell’s CD’s, “Black Sand” and “Latin Jazz Fantasy” were sold and signed by the artist. The remaining 2007 Spring event at the Bösendorfer New York showroom is Emerging Jazz! (Reserve now for guaranteed seating at 212.684.1956) on June 14, 2007.
Dave Valentin on Flute
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Richie Flores on Congas
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Bill O'Connell and Bösendorfer New York Guests
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Bill O'Connell and His Mother
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Dave Valentin, Bill O'Connell, Richie Flores
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Bill O'Connell at the Bösendorfer
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Richie Flores Signs the Guest Book
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Lisa Feldmann and Dave Valentin
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Bill O'Connell at the Bösendorfer
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Bill's Mother and Julienne Viola of Freed of London
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Bill O'Connell Greets His Fans
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Lisa Feldmann and Bösendorfer New York Guest
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Gerhard Feldmann and Guest
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Mika and Gerhard
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Edible Arrangements Fruit Bouquet
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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