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Angel Monedo Lopez
The duo formed by the Dominican pianist Michel Camilo and the Almeria guitarist Tomatito performed on the night of Saturday the 23rd at the Fernando Gómez Theater in Madrid, within the framework of the Jazz Festival 2024. After twenty-eight years of collaboration, they continue to maintain a firm commitment to the fusion of two musical styles, always with the intention of creating, having fun and spreading music.
The concert began with a version of “Alfonsina”, where the piano and guitar complemented each other, alternating with a sweet sensuality.
Michel Camilo, to begin, clapped his hands and introduced Tomatito with the smile that characterizes him in all his concerts, which underlines the complicity between these two giants of music. On this occasion, they presented in Madrid Forever Spain Againa mix of Latin music and flamenco that Fernando Trueba originally promoted 28 years ago as part of the soundtrack of the film “Two Much”, and that both have faithfully maintained in their repertoire and projects.
The concert began with a version of “Alfonsina”, where the piano and guitar complemented each other, alternating with a sweet sensuality. Next, they performed a mockery of Tomatito, recorded in New York on an intensely cold day and dedicated to the birth of their son José, who continues the family tradition of the guitar.
Next, a version of the piece “Antonia”, by Pat Metheny, was presented, in which jazz was mixed with changes of rhythm, highlighting the rapid combinations of Camilo’s fingers on the piano, generating an illusion of speed, while Tomatito He paused and accompanied with a guitar of great quality and rhythm.
The concert closed with a standing ovation for pianist Michel Camilo and Tomatito, recently nominated for a Grammy for their new album.
The tribute to Chucho Valdés was not missing in this new album, where the piano acquires a more Latin rhythm, gaining life, speed and joy. Few pianists achieve that combination of technical skill and magic, able to raise and lower rhythms so naturally.
The night continued with a flamenco version of The legend of time by Camarón de la Isla, presented by Tomatito, who recalled how, at the age of 15, the singer from San Fernando came to look for him at his house in Almería, and how his mother threw the great Camarón out onto the street, a memory that Tomatito keeps with love and respect.
Changing gears, the duo paid tribute to Chick Corea, with a suite of three songs in a row: Armando Rumba, Partyand Spain. These pieces sounded heavenly at the Fernán Gómez Theater.
Finally, they interpreted Love Theme from his first album Spain. Few songs can evoke such melancholy and inner peace. Its sound conveys a unique feeling of happiness and tranquility.
The concert closed with a standing ovation for pianist Michel Camilo and Tomatito, recently nominated for a Grammy for their new album. Let’s hope that in America they remember this fusion as something unique in musical culture.
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