Remember actual concerts, where you’d sit down without a mask and listen to someone perform?
Italian-Portuguese pianist Dan Costa records the last days before the draconian COVID lockdown with a wonderfully passionate solo concert at Kuumbwa Jazz in California on the 29th of February, his last gig before the world turned into a dystopian nightmare. This eight song solo recital reminds us of all that we’re missing-joyful music, passionate performances and music that communicates with actual people and not with cardboard cutouts.
Costa blends clever arrangements of classic bossa material with original compositions to create a Raphaelesque tapestry of sounds. His touch reflects a dash of Debussy impressionism on the ebullient Sete Enredos” with a mix of strong and rhythmic left hand on “Maracatu.” His rich chords pulsate a lyrical pace with strong dynamics on “Baiao” and lilts with a sensuous cadence on “Aria”. Costa entices the audience with a Chopin-nocturne read of Tom Jobim’s classic “Garota de Ipanema” as well as on Ivan Lins’ “Love Dance” while dainty on the joyful “O Barquinho”. Too bad he didn’t make it down here to So Cal-it would have been a show worth seeing. Consider this album an invitation post lockdown!