Concert Report #2
The concert Christian Moraga and Conganas was on April 17 2016, in the Edye Second Space at the Santa Monica College Arts Center. The band leader, Percussionist was Christian Moraga. Piano player and vocalist was Fermin Sifontes. Trumpet, Flugelhorn, and Güiro player was Enzo Villaparedes. Bass player was Josmelle Montejo. The sound in the venue is great. Güiro and trumpet were too loud. Multi percussion set could be louder. People were having a great time.
The music titles were Cheri Salva, George’s Dilema, My Uncle,Cientate, Sound step, Vamped, Footprints, Asuka, Move, La Caliente.
The second piece was George’s Dilema. The first part of music was unforgettable. With bass and piano’s low scale filling the vacuum of Flugelhorn’s long note, Flugelhorn started conversation between piano and bass. The second-high note of Flugelhorn was surprising and nice, which makes the minor melody more lively rather than scary and gloomy. Then, Flugelhorn’s melody switched to major, which make the music even more playful. Following was Flugelhorn’s improvising. The way Enzo Villaparedes was standing made people into music. The piano solo was creative, harmonic and nice. At the end, Enzo Villaparedes played a very long, high trill which was impressive. He might use the technique circular breathing which is extremely demanding especially when playing a high thrill.
The fifth piece was Sound step. The music made me feel that I was walking on the street of a big city because of the melody and bright sound of trumpet. The short percussion solo at the beginning of the music was great.The following was bass solo. Even though, they had to change bass artist. Josmelle Montejo’s solo was perfect and creative. The percussion solo at the end was wonderful. Christian Moraga play timbale, Conga, and other different percussion instrument at the same time. The sound of each instrument was so different, yet he managed to let every sound fit in the rhythm flawlessly. It was the first time for me to see someone play Conga and other percussion instruments at the same time. It’s amazing one person could play music that was supposed to be played by two musicians.
The seventh piece was Footprints. The music was softer and more emotional comparing to other music during the concert. Fermin Sifontes used pedal in this piece to create gentle and great harmony. Flugelhorn fitted well with the steady beats of bass and gentle, soft chords of piano. At the end of the piece, music suddenly got quiet and slow.
The next piece was Azucar. The chords Fermin Sifontes played was constant, but I did not feel bored. Each Azucar singed by other members following Fermin Sifontes was interesting. His voice was amazing, clear, and high. The vocal and finger were both demanding and he could finish both well at the same time.
Music by CONGANAS has more repetition, more steady rhythm than Jon Mayer Quartet’s music, which help me keep track of the music structure. It’s amazing that Christian Moraga can sing and control the sound of such complicated percussion set at the same time. Musicians were so talented. It’s such a shame that people only pay money to pop stars. If I did not go to the concert, I would never know there are so many talented musicians.
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