Last night I was lucky enoungh to witness a historical performance by living Cuban legend Omara Portuondo. She was outstanding! A consummate performer, she had the audience at "hello". Her opening number, which is also the title of her latest CD "Gracias", was so full of energy that the Cambridge crowd was on it's feet almost instantly! The concert was the first of a series that will promote her album awarded recently with a Grammy. The repertoire was a mix of classic bossa novas, boleros, son montunos. Even though the majority of the musicians were Cuban the music had a clear and distinctive Brazilian tinge under the musical direction of Brazilian guitarist Swami Jr.
The performance had some pretty stunning highlights. One of them being a beautiful version of "Dos Gardenias" that featured a duet of Omara accompanied by Swami Jr. on guitar. She dedicated the piece to the late Ibrahim Ferrer. In addition to the heart wrenching ballads, and mellow bossa nova arrangements, Omara's show had plenty of Cuban Timba riffs and Coro sections that were hard to sit still to.
Her band, a sextet, had some stellar players. On piano, Harold Lopez Nussa, a young 24 year old winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival Piano Competition in 2005. Felipe Cabrera, on double bass, has had an extensive performing career, including being part of Gonzalo Rubalcaba's firt quartet "Proyecto". Rodney Barreto on drums, has played with Bobby Carcaces among others. And last but not least, Andres Coayo on percussion.
Omara proved to be an amazing entertainer. Her stage presence, energy and voice were all right on. As and audience member one can easily forget she is 80 years young. There were plenty of comedic moments and had so many wonderful interactions with the audience and her musicians, who she lovingly referred as "los Bebes" (the babies).
This was to say the least, a once in a life time treat. I'm very grateful to have been there and to Omara I say Gracias!
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