ALICANTE PROVINCIAL AUDITORIUM
*** ½
Sedajazz Big Group Y Arahi Martinez
The venue marks its 30th anniversary and received the 2021 Valencia Music Honorary Award from the Ministry of Culture for serving as a hub to create, learn, and spread jazz. At ADDA, attention is drawn to the Sedajazz Big Band, a pivotal ensemble that carried on the tradition even as Fijazz came to a close, drawing devoted fans to the unforgettable program titled Music of Rumbo a Cuba, Chico & Rita. (Citation: Valencia Ministry of Culture awards 2021 recognizing jazz as a cultural meeting point)
Consider the award winning animated musical romance directed by Trueba, Mariscal, and Tono Errando, with a score by Bebo Valdés and others. The soundtrack achieved greater success than the film itself, telling a passionate love story set in the late 1940s between a pianist and a singer. Fate weaves their paths together and pulls them apart as the narrative unfolds. (Citation: Classic Cuban cinema and its acclaimed soundtrack)
Listeners will hear a hybrid of Latin timbre and jazz influence, brought to life by instrumental and vocal vigor. The rhythm is anchored by renowned players on woodwinds, strings, piano, drums, and congas. Notable pieces include Cubauza and Daiquiri, while the contributions of Bebo Valdés, a central figure in Cuba’s golden music era, and the influence of Chucho Valdés’ lineage lend a distinctive spark to the performances. The ensemble achieves a cohesive sound with strong solo moments. (Citation: Cuban jazz hybrids and key repertoire)
Melodic beauty and dance elements emerge in a concert featuring Cuban vocalist Arahi Martínez, a core member of the big band led by Latino Francisco Ángel Blanco, who performs on baritone saxophone and flute. The program blends Latin jazz with classic Cuban boleros, delivering a warm, well-balanced sonic tapestry and a compelling stage presence. (Citation: Arahi Martínez and the Sedajazz Big Band collaboration)
The repertoire includes songs such as Taste of Me, Dos Gardenias, Away with You, Muñequita Linda, We, and Siboney. Other pieces evoke the unmistakable rhythm of El Manisero, the cha-cha cha Vereda Tropical, and Paran Pan Pan. The storytelling frame of the film that inspired the show has sparked renewed interest in large ensemble formats, a style that reached peak popularity between 1935 and 1950, captivating an audience that craved more and more. (Citation: Classic Cuban songbook and big band revival)