Latest news with #RhapsodyinBlue
Arabian Post
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arabian Post
Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena Resonates with Jazz Luminaries in Global Celebration
A constellation of jazz virtuosos illuminated Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on April 30, marking the culmination of the 14th International Jazz Day. The event, orchestrated by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, showcased a tapestry of performances that underscored jazz's enduring global resonance. Herbie Hancock, the event's artistic director, led a diverse ensemble of musicians from 14 countries. The concert featured luminaries such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, John McLaughlin, Dianne Reeves, and Marcus Miller, each bringing their unique flair to the stage. Hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, the evening was a testament to jazz's unifying power. The program commenced with Hancock's introspective rendition of 'Maiden Voyage,' setting a contemplative tone. A standout moment was the duet between Parisian pianist Hélène Mercier and Beijing's A Bu, who delivered a stirring interpretation of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue,' blending classical precision with jazz improvisation. Arturo Sandoval, David Sánchez, and Danilo Pérez paid homage to Dizzy Gillespie with a spirited performance of 'Tin Tin Deo,' while José James infused The Rolling Stones' 'Miss You' with soulful nuances. The finale, a collective rendition of John Lennon's 'Imagine,' encapsulated the evening's ethos of unity and hope, resonating deeply with the international audience. Earlier in the day, the Opening Ceremony at Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace, featured addresses by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, and UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone. The ceremony highlighted the UAE's commitment to cultural dialogue and the arts. Beyond the main concert, Abu Dhabi hosted a series of educational and outreach programs. Institutions like Berklee Abu Dhabi, Bait Al Oud, and the Cultural Foundation facilitated workshops and performances, engaging both youth and seasoned musicians. A notable collaboration with the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi included a panel discussion featuring Hancock and Financial Times CEO John Ridding, exploring jazz's role in contemporary culture. See also Dubai to Build 1.4km Bridge Linking Bur Dubai and Dubai Islands This year's International Jazz Day was observed in over 190 countries, with thousands of events celebrating the genre's rich heritage and its capacity to foster cross-cultural understanding. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the day's significance, stating, 'This edition highlights the city's rich tapestry of creativity and cultural heritage while showcasing jazz's ability to connect communities and promote dialogue and peace across continents.'
The National
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
International Jazz Day concert review: Herbie Hancock leads a night of unifying music in Abu Dhabi
The beauty of jazz is that everyone is stepping into the unknown, but what was made clear from the International Jazz Festival in Abu Dhabi was that this was a show of unity. Celebrated jazz musician and Unesco ambassador Herbie Hancock led an all-star collective on stage at Etihad Arena on Wednesday night, sharing time and space to entertain and educate the room on jazz's role in bringing communities together. As is often the case with jazz, the performance kept the audience on their toes. The two-hour show consisted of several pieces, each performed by a grouping of musicians, often with different styles. Each set was varied and eclectic. Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons hosted the evening wearing a thobe, a nice nod to the host nation's culture. He didn't shy away from describing his love for the genre, and despite being probably one of the most celebrated actors of our time, he made sure jazz was the central character of the evening. I was impressed to see two grand pianos suddenly wheeled on to the stage for a rendition of Rhapsody in Blue by American composer George Gershwin. It was introduced as a well-composed piece of organised chaos and as an expression of America. French pianist Helene Mercier and Chinese rising star A Bu smiled warmly and reacted to the crowd's enthusiasm for the well-known tune. Jazz is all about breaking the rules for the sake of creativity. Probably the most notable rule-breaker from this evening was Bangalore singer-songwriter Varijashree Venugopal, who takes her classical Indian singing style to a scat. Her vocal range hypnotised as her voice played along with the other instruments, giving a mesmerising performance. There was a promise of a Maqamat fusion, which could have been made more prominent through an introduction, however, the cross-cultural fusion of the event did have a significant Arab influence. Iraqi-born oud player Naseer Shamma jammed with other players on stage, giving a unique twist to an otherwise familiar sound, and Emirati soul singer Arqam Al Abri lent his voice to an impressive duet. Overall, the UAE took centre stage. The country was celebrated as a place that brings people together, being at the crossroads of East and West. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, described jazz as a 'universal language that speaks to the heart and embodies collaboration', which 'resonates with the ethos of Abu Dhabi'. Hancock toasted the night with a funky performance of his classic hit Chameleon, which got the crowd on its feet. The show ended with an abstract improvisation of the John Lennon classic Imagine, which was my stand-out moment of the night. Despite the huge names performing and sharing space, it still felt like a 'pinch-me' moment radiating from the stage, so it was hard not to get swept up in the enthusiasm and overall message of the show, as Hancock said, 'our humanity is our instrument'.
The National
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
International Jazz Day concert review: Herbie Hancock led a night of unifying music in Abu Dhabi
The beauty of jazz is that everyone is stepping into the unknown, but what was made clear from the International Jazz Festival in Abu Dhabi was that this was a show of unity. Celebrated jazz musician and Unesco ambassador Herbie Hancock led an all-star collective on stage at Etihad Arena on Wednesday night, sharing time and space to entertain and educate the room on jazz's role in bringing communities together. As is often the case with jazz, the performance kept the audience on their toes. The two-hour-long show consisted of several pieces, each performed by a grouping of musicians, often with different styles. Each set was varied and eclectic. Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons hosted the evening wearing a thobe, a nice nod to the host nation's culture. He didn't shy away from describing his love for the genre, and despite being probably one of the most celebrated actors of our time, he made sure jazz was the central character of the evening. I was impressed to see two grand pianos suddenly wheeled onto the stage for a rendition of Rhapsody in Blue by American composer George Gershwin. It was introduced as a well-composed piece of organised chaos and as an expression of America. French pianist Helene Mercier and Chinese rising star A Bu smiled warmly and reacted to the crowd's enthusiasm for the well-known tune. Jazz is all about breaking the rules for the sake of creativity. Probably the most notable rule-breaker from this evening was Bangalore singer-songwriter Varijashree Venugopal, who takes her classical Indian singing style to a scat. Her vocal range hypnotised as her voice played along with the other instruments, giving a mesmerising performance. There was a promise of a Maqamat fusion, which could have been made more prominent through an introduction, however, the cross-cultural fusion of the event did have a significant Arab influence. Iraqi-born oud player Naseer Shamma jammed with other players on stage, giving a unique twist to an otherwise familiar sound, and Emirati soul singer Arqam Al Abri lent his voice to an impressive duet. Overall, the UAE took centre stage. The country was celebrated as a place that brings people together, being at the crossroads of East and West. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, declared jazz as a 'universal language that speaks to the heart and embodies collaboration,' which 'resonates with the ethos of Abu Dhabi'. Hancock toasted the night with a funky performance of his classic hit Chameleon, which got the crowd on its feet. The show ended with an abstract improvisation of the John Lennon classic Imagine, which was my stand-out moment of the night. Despite the huge names performing and sharing space, it still felt like a 'pinch-me' moment radiating from the stage, so it was hard not to get swept up in the enthusiasm and overall message of the show, as Hancock said, 'our humanity is our instrument'.
Al Etihad
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Sibling duo tell a story on two pianos, at the Abu Dhabi Festival
16 Apr 2025 01:07 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The remarkable piano duo of Katia and Marielle Labèque have devised an original and innovative musical programme for the 2025 Abu Dhabi French sisters will be performing at the Red Theater, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, on Wednesday, April 16, at classical musicians have played with major international orchestras, with renowned conductors, with Baroque ensembles and have showcased an array of music from 20th and 21st century siblings are renowned for their musical synchronicity and energy, first gaining international acclaim for their recording of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", which sold over half a million are regular guests with the Berlin Philharmonic, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhaus, London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Dresden Staatskapelle, Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Vienna have worked with major composers including Thomas Adès, Louis Andriessen, Luciano Berio, Pierre Boulez, Bryce Dessner, Philip Glass, Osvaldo Golijov, György Ligeti and Olivier Labèques founded their own label KML Recordings, which joined Deutsche Grammophon in formed a special relationship with the composer Philip Glass, whose music begins and finishes their recital, "First In La Belle et la Bête", inspired by Jean Cocteau's film, and then in a work inspired by Cocteau again, his novel "Les Enfants Terribles". In sync with the storytelling theme, the central work of their programme is Ravel's "Ma Mère l'Oye" (Mother Goose), with its exquisite fairytale episodes.
