CGI ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL TODAY’S BEST BETS
Kaisa’s Machine
I mentioned earlier my appreciation for the Nordic musicians who graced the festival in the past. This year, Nordic double bassist Kaisa Mäensivu and her band will perform two nights, beginning Sunday. One publication refers to her music as “Nordic noir meets New York sparkle” and the description seems pinpoint on. The Nordic musicians, more than any in my humble opinion, merge existential themes with heavy doses of humor. The music of Kaisa’s Machine may be more traditional in its jazz underpinnings than that of some of her homeland brethren, but you have to appreciate a band with a song titled “Eat Dessert First.” (The band returns Monday, June 24.)
Edmar Castañeda
As well as my taste for the Nordic sounds, I also try to catch any Latin-infused music that makes its way to the festival’s club venues. There is a rich vibrant history to the music, and each note and chord sing that history aloud. The music of Colombian-born Edmar Castañeda, while mining that same richness as well as other genres, is unique; he plays the harp. (If you want to hear something transcendent, listen to Castañeda and Japanese pianist Hiromi on YouTube.) Castañeda was a music consultant to the hit Disney film “Encanto” and also performed on the soundtrack. If you’ve marveled at what Jake Shimabukuro did with the ukulele at past festivals, be ready for a similar experience with Castañeda and his harp.
Andrea Brachfeld and Insight
The festival is a chance to catch a variety of genres, but it’s also a chance to sample a wide range of instrumentalists. Flutists aren’t that common leading a band, so here’s a chance to rectify that absence with your music-experimentation adventures. Andrea Brachfeld is that flutist, and she samples both American and Latin jazz.
I’m hoping to hear some of the latter with her show. As her bio notes, Brachfeld’s breakthrough came with the Latin band La Charanga 76. That band featured the spirited percussion common to the genre, with Brachfeld’s flute adding a new enchanting layer.
For a full lineup and venue and time information go to rochesterjazz.com.