Ignacio Berrao was part of the Gonzalo Rubalcaba trio at the Bird
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Trio Plays the Bird
BY LARS BJÖRN
On
October 6–7 the exciting Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio visited the Bird
of Paradise in Ann Arbor. I was impressed with Rubalcaba when he visited
town over a year ago for a duo with Joe Lovano. This time he had the
challenge of doing something with a more conventional group. He brought
along two former performers at the old Bird: bassist Carlos Henriquez
(who was there with Danilo Perez) and drummer Ignacio Berrao (who was
there with the late great Dizzy Gillespie).
I was surprised at how many ballads
Rubalcaba chose during the three sets I heard, while the latin numbers
were relatively few. His fascination with slow songs could be heard
on "I Fall in Love too Easily," which was played unusually
slowly. Still, there was a subtle rhythmic tension and some beautiful
harmonies. Rubalcaba has chops galore, which allows him to be both playful
and sophisticated. His touch is crystal clear, but also muscular. He
knows the intricacies of playing in a trio and he revels in creating
interesting combinations of sounds. His major counterpart was Berrao,
who had complete command of the drumset. He showed off his expert timing,
particularly on the ride cymbal; and he raised the rhythmic intensity
seemingly at will and effortlessly. These exchanges between piano and
drums were the highlights of two wonderful evenings of music.
photograph by Lars Björn
I N - T H I S - I S S U E :
1. WORKMAN/CRISPELL/CLEAVER---2.
DONALD WALDEN / RICK ROE
3. LETTER FROM NEW YORK---4.
PAT FLOWERS
5. GONZALO RUBALCABA---6. JIMMY
SCOTT
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