16 jul.2 minuten om te lezen

Fotoverslag | Gent Jazz 2024 – 14 Juli

Rodrigo y Gabriela @ Gent Jazz 2024

Last Sunday, the 14th of July, was my last day at this year’s edition of the Gent Jazz Festival, which I experienced as a perfect blend of talent and genres, dragging the dance spirit out of almost each and every attendee of the festival. The evening began with Lee Ritenour & David Grusin taking the main stage, each having their place, either behind the guitar or the piano, yet not alone, presenting their smooth and intricate sounds all with a combination of masterful teamwork and well placed solos, where each member could shine. All wrapped with a nice cherry on the cake with the mesmerizing voice of Tatiana, adding some latin spice to the mix, and setting the tone for the festival. Zap Mama followed at that same stage, infusing the festival with vibrant world music rhythms and soulful harmonies that got everyone dancing since the beginning, and the energy followed all the way through Eliades Ochoa's performance, bringing the rich sounds of Cuban son to Gent, and his infectious energy that had the crowd dancing and partying to timeless tunes, bringing us back to some of the unforgettable notes of Chan Chan. Nexy came Cimafunk's high-energy funk and Afro-Cuban fusion, bringing a contagious enthusiasm to the festival, to keep that energy high throughout the evening, making it impossible for the audience to stay still. The concerts at the main stage concluded with the Rodrigo and Gabriela Duo, whose fiery guitar performances were nothing short of spectacular. Their intricate rhythms and passionate play left the audience completely impressed, with the floor of whole structure bounce at the steps of each member of the crowd, providing a perfect finale to an unforgettable day at Gent Jazz 2024. At Garden Stage, the festival has its debut with FC Atlaska who brought an innovative mix of contemporary and experimental jazz, engaging the audience with their dynamic and eclectic set. The Nicolas Mortelmans Quartet provided a more soft classic jazz experience with a modern twist together with an emotional depth leaving a lasting impression. Susobrino's set came after, together with the whole audience seeking to keep practicing their dancing moves at the sound of his electronic beats mixed with traditional Latin American sounds, creating an immersive auditory experience. A little highlight came, to slow down a bit the mood, with Susobrino’s bolero sang by himself in a very nervous voice, that got into everyone’s souls. Last act for me at the Garden stage was Azmari, who captivated with their hypnotic blend of Ethiopian jazz and psychedelic rock, offering a fascinating performance. Overall, it was a day of musical diversity but specially, latin sounds and sons, making the audience dance a lot more than the last concert I attended of Eliades Ochoa (link).