The sonority of the metro Big Band in tribute to Frank Fernández.
How exciting music can be when it expresses love and beauty, tinged by the words of solidarity of the prestigious director, arranger and composer, Camp Kirkland, who knew how to combine the excellence of the instrumentalists of the Metro Big Band jazz orchestra of New York, during the tribute to maestro Frank Fernandez for his 80th anniversary and 65 years of artistic life, held at the José White concert hall in Matanzas.
From the beginning, the presentation of the recital by Professor Maria de los Angeles Horta, predicted the gift, referring to the greatness of the Cuban pianist and composer and the excellence of the invited orchestra with a repertoire of classic works of American jazz.
The music burst out powerful, harmonic, full of the colorfulness of the anthological pieces of jazz, many of them inspired by Afro-American roots, through a communion that exalted the spirituality of the genre.
Kirkland’s peculiar way of communicating with the public turned each performance into a warm exchange of emotions where feelings of friendship and veneration prevailed, since the group is made up of relevant musicians from different states of the Union, who belong to congregations of important churches.
As the also virtuoso pianist Mary Horta described it: «conductor Camp Kirkland, full of vigor and enthusiasm, took the audience by the hand, as a guiding thread, throughout the show».
His affection for Cuba and admiration for maestro Frank Fernandez was extended with the power of the musical sonority of the Metro Big Band in a high-flying artistic concert.
Written by María Elena Bayón.
