David Dalle
Thursday March 7th, 2019 with David Dalle
The third of twelve exceptional concert recordings for 2019: Omar Sosa & Gustavo Ovalles. The unique Persian-Flamenco singing and music of Canada's Farnaz Ohadi.

For 2019, I have chosen 12 exceptional concert recordings to program with one each month. I have set a couple of simple rules: the recordings will be played in their entirety and represent a single concert (e.g. a "live" album compiled from different concerts would not qualify) and they must feature multiple pieces (e.g. a stunning live recording of a Mahler symphony would not qualify). These 12 recordings feature some of my favourite artists, and in many of the cases, also represent the very best from these artists. Omar Sosa's 2002 "Ayaguna" recorded live at the Motion Blue Jazz club in Yokohama is absolutely stunning. He has been one of the most adventurous Cuban musicians crafting many superb albums collaborating with very diverse musicians from across the globe, e.g. from China, Morocco, Senegal, Italy, Spain, US. As good as many of these studio albums are, this live recording proves him to be a transcendent musician, one of the greatest pianists Cuba has produced. In "Ayaguna" he performs as a duo with his longtime collaborator, the Venezuelan percussionist Gustavo Ovalles. As a child, Omar Sosa began his music studies as a percussionist and perhaps this is why he is so incredibly attuned to playing with Gustavo Ovalles. Enjoy this impossibly good hour of Santeria-inspired Cuban piano and percussion music. I am also extremely happy to say my chosen live album will coincide with an actual concert by the artist! Omar Sosa, along with Gustavo Ovalles and Seckou Keita will be performing in Gatineau on March 15th. So you will be able to experience this musical ecstasy live as well! In the small intimate Salle Jean-Despréz, located right next to the Museum of Civilization: https://m.ovation.qc.ca/000011/fr/Search/EventInfo?eventId=0F03X3 I already have my tickets, don't wait to get yours! We will also look at another upcoming concert. Farnaz Ohadi was born in Iran and learned Persian singing and music. After making a new home in Vancouver, she studied since 1998 Flamenco dance and singing with Oscar Nieto and Kasandra 'La China'. She has created her own ensemble Mashregh with musicians and dancers using Flamenco and Persian instruments, she sings Flamenco melodies in Farsi. Farnaz Ohadi is bringing this unique Persian-Flamenco music and dance to Ottawa's Shenkman Arts Centre on Wednesday March 13th. http://shenkmanarts.ca/en/calendar_calendrier/march_mars_2019/Farnaz-Ohadi/index.htm She is also performing 2 shows in Toronto March 9th & 10th and in Montreal on March 14th. https://www.farnazohadi.com/ for more information.