Arts & entertainment

Jazz stars burn brightly

Acclaimed musicians Chucho Valdés and Marco Pignataro played the Teatro Anayansi Thursday.

eric batista/la prensa

MEMORABLE EVENING: Italian-born saxophonist Marco Pignataro and his quintet gave a memorable, if somewhat late, performance Thursday at the Atlapa Convention Center, the fourth night of the Panama Jazz Festival.1148600

Energy and excitement reverberated throughout the Teatro Anayansi at the Atlapa Center Thursday night as Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés followed Italian saxophonist Marco Pignataro and his quintet in two of the most-anticipated performances of the sixth annual Panama Jazz Festival.

Throaty bass tones blended with the steady rhythm of kettledrums, uniting effortlessly with the sounds of the saxophone, flute and piano, at once calming and mesmerizing the audience that had grown anxious while waiting for the show to commence.

Following a half-hour delay, National Culture Institute Director General Anel Omar Rodríguez took to the stage with an introductory greeting. “Music enriches the soul, the spirit,” he said. “It grows within us.”

Abruptly at 8:35 p.m., Marco Pignataro and his band mates arrived. “How lovely Panama is!” shouted the accomplished saxophonist and composer, who then told concertgoers that this was his third time participating in the festival.

Then, closing his eyes, he led the quintet through a dazzling improvisational journeys through songs such as “Bologna D’Inverno,” “Sleepless in Ocean Park,” “Estate,” “Grande Theodore” and “Love Letter to My Father.”

Pianist Mark Kramer’s melodies hummed and harmonized alongside the other musicians, though at times meandering into melodic detours that that drew laughter from the audience.

Meanwhile, Billy Drummond, percussionist for the band, was not to be eclipsed. In a solo performance that demonstrated his virtuosity, he teased the drums with into such a fury that he seemed on the verge of cleaving himself in two.

It was flautist Matt Marvuglio, however, who ended up stealing the show during the 90-minute set. He waited patiently for his turn in the spotlight and then burst forth with a carillon of notes that earned rapturous applause.

Bassist Eddie Gómez, too, received the audience’s acclaim for his nimble performance and skills.

It was not until 10:30 p.m. that Danilo Pérez, so-called “father” of the Panama Jazz Festival, called Chucho Valdés and his group to the stage.

The repertoire featured many of the Cuban musician’s Caribbean-influence jazz blends, with many of his classic tunes accompanied by the voice of his daughter Mayra Valdés.

Drummer Juan Carlos Rojas, who at first glance, looks to be pushing 60 years of age, transformed into a youth as he played with vigor and humor throughout the concert. Rojas never stopped smiling, even when one of the sticks fell from his hand. He had a spare warming in his back pocket.

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