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Adrian Iaies

On first glance apprehension. Admittedly ashamed I was prejudiced. For on the surface was an Argentine group, playing 'jazz', with an accordion no less! What could they possibly do with the music in this format setting? I would ask myself.

Suffice it to say, I found pianist/composer Adrian Iaies a world class virtuoso. World class with a capitol C. His compatriots Pablo Aslan, bass; Pepi Taveira, drums and Michael Zisman, a master of the bandoneon are unequalled as well. The group is augmented by the sanguine trumpet stylings of Juan Cruz De Urquiza.

Jazz Speak has become a universal language. And like the home grown variety State side, jazz round the world uses universal elements to furthers its methods. Be it a mandolin in Spain, a sitar in India, dumbeks in Northern Africa, or a taragoto of eastern Europe. Nothing, no instrumentation, save for probably piano, bass and drums is sacrosanct in jazz.

Decades ago when Astor Piazzolla introduced the bandoneon to wider audiences outside of Argentina we were aghast. His fluid mastery astounded audiences. The bandoneon's sound is less harsh than that of its big brother the accordion. It possesses a 'sweeter' sound.

Argentine native Adrian Iaies is no stranger to international audiences. Widely recognized for his deft touch and consummate command of the jazz idiom, only now American audiences are witness to this pure talent. His new Vals De La 81st & Columbus, brings a lucidly responsive quartet session of warm and wondrous music.

Within his meager discography of only a handful of (domestic) recordings Iaies has paid homage to American masters such as John Lewis, Monk, Herbie Nichols, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis and Michel LeGrande. Here on Vals there are moments of euro-classical ardor, as on the stately, Juarez El Casamentero. To flat out New York fire, Astor Changes. Trumpeter De Urquiza shows mute skills on only two tunes, the title selections and the hauntingly lovely version of Nefertiti. And it would have been to their advantage to feature his brass fittings more. However, textually the music's touching momentum stirs the heart strings from beginning to end in the quartet. The horn adds a jazzy flavoring. This music soothes and satisfies. As if we are transported way south of the boarder.Way,way south of the boarder! Thanks for the trip...

Shame on me. I will never doubt again.....

Awards

three latin grammy nominations. Clarin award as "best jazz musician 2002" (Argentina) Konx platinum award as "best jazz musician of the 1995-2005 decade (argentina)

Gear

PIano Yamaha C5, 2007.


Tags

11
Live Review

Buenos Aires Jazz.15 International Festival

Read "Buenos Aires Jazz.15 International Festival" reviewed by Mark Holston


Buenos Aires Jazz.15 International Festival Buenos Aires, Argentina November 10-15, 2015 Imagine opening the pages of a major daily newspaper, turning to the Op-Ed section and seeing, prominently placed amidst the usual commentaries on politics and international crises, a tome to the recently deceased jazz singer and composer Mark Murphy. Sound like an impossible dream? Not, it turns out, in Argentina, where an elevated appreciation for the arts and the contributions of artists to society have ...

305
Album Review

Adrian Iaies Trio: A Child's Smile

Read "A Child's Smile" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


On A Child's Smile, Adrian Iaies sheds the Argentinean persona that occasionally shrouds his music. Here the pianist has become a complete, swaggering, swinging entity, and one who melds his mentors--Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Wynton Kelly, Red Garland and principally Bill Evans--into an entirely new entity. The result is a brooding artist who looks deep within his wandering soul. His personality is complex and wonderful. He is a musician and a colorist who plays with the multiple shades of light ...

253
Album Review

Adrian Iaies Trio: Las Tardecitas de Minton's

Read "Las Tardecitas de Minton's" reviewed by David Rickert


About 35 years ago America was invaded by the bossa nova craze, and suddenly every jazz musician recorded at least one bossa nova album to capitalize on its popularity. Some were exceptional and some were awful; perhaps the best part was that guitarists and conga players suddenly had plenty of gigs. Although the bossa nova fetish has come and gone, Latin music continues to rear its head in jazz from time to time as performers continue to experiment with mixing ...

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224

Performance / Tour

Pianists Paquito Hechavarria, Adrian Iaies & Arturo O'farrill Play "Habaneras, Blues & Tangos" April 4-6

Pianists Paquito Hechavarria, Adrian Iaies & Arturo O'farrill Play "Habaneras, Blues & Tangos"  April 4-6

Source: All About Jazz

Part of Jazz Appreciation Month in April 2002.

As an extension of its popular solo piano recitals, Jazz at Lincoln Center (J@LC) will bring together three renowned and diverse Latin music pianists PAQUITO HECHAVARRIA, ADRIAN IAIES, and ARTURO O’FARRILL in “Habaneras, Blues and Tangos” on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 4, 5, and 6, 2002 at 8pm in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse.

The three diverse pianists Hechavarria from Cuba, Iaies from Argentina, and O’Farrill from New York will each ...

Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

Buenos Aires

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

A Child's Smile

Sunnyside Records
2010

buy

Vals de la 81st &...

Sunnyside Records
2008

buy

Las Tardecitas de...

Acqua Records
2000

buy

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