Hear the World - Week 18

In this programme, three concerts from three music greats and their bands at the 2009 North Sea Jazz: bassist Etienne Mbappé from Cameroon, French accordionist Richard Galliano and Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes.

Etienne Mbappé from Cameroon, one of the world’s best bassists, is known for his fantastic technique and sense of rhythm. With his band he mixes Cameroonian rhythms with jazz, funk and Afro-pop, and sings slow sensitive songs as well as energetic up-tempo numbers.

The French music pioneer Richard Galliano is a true virtuoso on the accordion. He manages to keep on making original and refreshing music with a combination of jazz, Argentinian tango and elements of the French musette. In his hands, the accordion becomes an instrument with a splendid range of sounds. At the 2009 North Sea Jazz festival, Richard Galliano shared the stage with three jazz greats, Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Cameroonian bassist Richard Bona and American drummer Clarence Penn.

The concert by Chucho Valdes’ Big Band from Cuba was the absolute hit of the 2009 North Sea Jazz festival. Chucho Valdes is one of the world’s best pianists. He is a strongman on the piano. His magnificent playing is very physical. Add to this his big band with an exciting Cuban percussion and wind section and the voice of Chucho’s sister Mayra Caridad and you have an electric performance.
 

Hear the World is hosted by Dheera Sujan.

Listen to this week's show:

Richard Galliano, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Richard Bona & Clarence Penn