From the first piece, the audience was captivated, treated to a little over an hour of music followed by a good minute of applause at the end. It was a daring bet: a jazz concert set among immense 18th-century paintings, in tribute to Marie Bashkirtseff, whose memory is honored in an exhibition at the Nice Museum of Fine Arts.
The ensemble included six musicians playing six instruments. Five were from the So What Company (double bass, guitar, piano, bass clarinet, and drums) and a saxophone was added for the occasion. From the first notes on that Saturday, January 10, 2009, everyone was lulled by the melody. Everyone was watching the stage, smiling. Everyone? No! An elderly lady was doing crossword puzzles… Go figure!
The tempo varied. There were lively sounds and others softer and more relaxing. Fascinating. The audience was literally transported to distant lands where happiness reigns. The passion could be seen on the musicians’ faces. Harmony among them prevailed. There were winks, knowing looks, and the joy of being there.
Henri Roger, Pianist and Composer
About ten pieces were performed. Most were composed by the pianist Henri Roger, like the last one, “Hurry Up Darling.” He finds his inspiration in the works of old jazz musicians from the 60s/70s. “We don’t copy them,” he warns, “we add our touch, it’s fun. We give it a contemporary twist.” The musicians of the So What Company have been playing together for ten years, and their compatibility is quickly felt when composing. “If we are inspired by the greats, there is a good deal of improvisation in our pieces. We quickly come to an agreement,” concludes Henri Roger.
