According to jazz players and fans, jazz is an integral part of the American culture. The simplest and most accurate description of jazz, I recently discovered, is that it is a musical conversation.
This I learnt in one of the greatest jazz performances held yet in the capital as part of a programme orchestrated by the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Centre (JALC).
Exegesis, a young and enthusiastic quartet gave an hour-long concert on Saturday evening at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.
Cultural exchange
Their programme, entitled Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad, is designed to foster cultural exchange with
audiences worldwide.
This season, six jazz quartets and four urban music ensembles will tour to regions such as Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. International activities include public concerts, master classes, lecture recitals, workshops, jam sessions, media outreach and collaborations with local musicians.
The programme also incorporates free performances by each quartet in the US.
Life through sound
Meaning to elaborate, explain and analyse, Exegesis bases its music in the belief that symbols, scientific thought, astronomical ideas, numerical ratios and conceptual art and architecture can be expressed through sound. In 2002, Exegesis released their debut album, The Order of Chaos.
With David Cook on piano, Michael Blanco on bass, Nick Demopoulos on guitar and Tomas Fujiwara on drums,
the title of the group's album best describes their performance, a chaotic show but with restraint, if that's possible.
The group seeks to bridge the gap between modern music technology and improvisation, using live samplers and interactive music software to create the sonic illusion that there are more than four musicians performing.
Playing around five musical pieces, the audiences' favourites included Isfahan and the group's last song, Caravan.
While Cook, Blanco and Demopoulos each gave outstanding performances, the audience's favourite was Fujiwara on drums.
Yolla Al Wardi, from Syria, said: "The drummer was amazing and the best of the group.” She added: "It is not often that we get to hear jazz music live. There are a few songs that I personally did not understand but, all in all, it was a great performance.”
'International dialogue'
Adnan Husnein, from Al Hosn University, said of the performance: "It's a wonderful chance for our community to really experience a taste from a different culture. As the presenter put it, jazz is an international dialogue that should go around the world.”
Diala Aleid, also from Syria, said: "My favourite piece was Isfahan. It is nice to see the Western view of the East.”
