Saturday, July 9, the 2011 edition of the Nice Jazz Festival showcased both World music and Blues. A successful gamble with the incredible performance of the star of the day: Asa. If there was a place to be on this Saturday night, it was at the Jardins Albert Ier.
On the first stage, it was Anthony Joseph and the Spasm Band who opened the ball. The audience discovered a charismatic singer, dancing on stage and literally living his music. A great moment to start the evening.
At the Théâtre de Verdure, the bleachers were packed. All had come to welcome the young siblings from Mississippi, the Homemade James Blues Band. Incredible musicians and singers, it was hard to believe they were only teenagers. Yet the lead singer and guitarist was merely 19 while the bassist was just 17. The most incredible was the young drummer, impressively talented at just 12 years of age. All the songs kept their rhythm with the harmonica, and the guitars, styled by the musicians’ father, did the rest. The audience, already delighted, was even more so when the bassist jumped off the stage to mingle with them. A great moment, as he played just a few inches from the audience, wandering between seats. The connection was made.
Voices, a guitar, “percus”
“I want to start slowly, take you by the hand,” announced Jean-Jacques Milteau, and that is what he did. In a gentle manner, he began a disconcerting harmonica introduction. Immediately, silence fell around him. He then invited the pacified audience to set a rhythm with their applause. The atmosphere was set. Because he performs traditional oral music, Jean-Jacques Milteau introduced his two singers. Two superb soul voices sure to give you chills.
An excellent surprise with Joe Louis Walker. Fans of the Jimi Hendrix era could be satisfied since, with closed eyes, it was indeed him you would see. The guitarist was good, very good. The riffs from his instrument went wild and thrilled the crowd, who had come in large numbers. The thunderous drumming resonated in their chests. It was hard to watch his performance come to an end.
But already the Brazilian artist Carlinhos Brown had taken the stage, dressed in white and wearing a hat. To keep his audience entertained, he pretended to be a bird, then taught the crowd to create “shhh” waves. A magical moment of great complicity. Then, the music took over. The double percussions set the tone, it was going to be joyful, in true Brazilian style, of course.
“There is fire in the mountain…”
The star of the evening was of course singer Asa. At 9 p.m., the beautiful Nigerian was greeted with a thunderous applause. Very happy to be there, she explained to her audience, “It’s great what I’m doing by touring to play my music, but sometimes I would like to be among you and listen to others play in my place.” With her exceptional soul voice, she presented the second track from her latest album “Beautiful Imperfection” titled “Why Can’t We”. A song of great strength, wonderfully highlighted by the singer’s timbre.
Delightfully, she then began the song that made her famous “Fire in the mountain”.
In love with her audience, she couldn’t leave without showing them her affection. In a very gentle atmosphere, she sang “bisou” while blowing kisses to her fans, who were enthralled. “I love you,” she whispered, visibly happy.
Photo gallery credits: Rachel Turpin
