Alliance Francaise (Lusaka)

Next “big” concert : Alif Naaba on Sat 22nd June at AF, 19h30.

I attended a classical jazz concert - more like a recital called "Dialogue" at the Alliance Française of Lusaka, which featured Laurent Coq, a jazz pianist from France, accompanied by Ralph Lavital on treble guitar and Nicolas Pelage, vocalist - both from Martinique.

This was not for those who prefer jazz standards to original compositions with creole names translated to, It's gonna be alright, We are happy - depicting Easter time at the beach in Martinique, Toshiko - an improvised piece written for Toshiko Oiwa, a dancer from Japan, Tree Therapy - for those living with HIV, and Souvenir from Childhood, amongst others.

Coq and Lavital, at times playing the same chords, at others meandering away and accentuating either the piano keys or the guitar strings, then meeting once again – were just as in a dialogue.

The intricate sounds were as a combination of the cerebral jazz of Abdullah Ibrahim (formerly Doller Brand) with the improvisation of George Benson and faint echoes of Al Jarreau from Pelage, whose imprints, besides the rich timbre of his voice; interspersed with lulls - when he sang Maurice, dedicated to his mother - then plosives; was the percussive sound of the rhythmic rubbing together of his bare hands.

The musicians showed their consummate skill and increased our appreciation for a piano/guitar duo and much of the music featured last night can be downloaded for free from Protected content