Having written the liner notes for their new CD saying how enjoyable the disc is, how could I not go to hear Brazilian Winds live? I’m pleased to report that the music was as smooth and relaxing on stage Unter der Zeder as it is on disc. With the added elements not on disc of twin flutes and the mercurial bass guitar of Christian Kussmann, this was an ideal way to wind down after a busy Monday. Only the chilled glass of caipirinha was missing.
Christian Kussmann revealed that he had delayed a planned family holiday by three days just to be able to play this evening’s concert. He didn’t regret it, he said with a smile. Neither did we. And Christian’s thoughtful bass contributions really added an extra layer to the original cd recordings. Oh, and maybe I didn’t need to add that he said this with a smile as he had that smile on his face all evening.
I don’t pretend to be an expert on Brazilian (or any other) Jazz but I know what I like. There were a couple of numbers from Chick Corea in the set that were more recognizable to me, but the set up of twin flutes and guitar gave those numbers a fresh coat of paint. Twin flutes? Michael Heupel and Cristian Faig seemed to combine melodies and then share out solos by just the vaguest nod of a head or look in the other’s direction with a quick glance. Faig also had the vocal duties of course and his velvety voice fitted the velvety ambience of the music, both floating on a light Summer breeze around the Kurpark.
The music must have carried around the park, because when Uwe Arenz came to play The Beatles ‘Blackbird’ he was almost drowned out by birdsong in the surrounding trees. Good that they didn’t play ‘I am the Walrus’ …
The second ‘Unter der Zeder concert of this year was then an excellent evening of music courtesy of KuKuG and once again every available seat was taken. It remains only to say – Get there early next Monday (21 July) for the Antigua Quartett
Still to come Unter der Zeder (all concerts begin 7:30 pm outside the Kleines Theater in Bad Godesberg Kurpark):
