If you were in the audience at Marin Center Showcase Theater on January 19th at 3:00 pm and participated in the performance, you are likely to remember the experience for being amazing.
What a performance, what a show, what energy and exuberance, what positive vibes! Staging, costuming, lighting added to the flavor, but it was the music that took charge and held the audience in its grip. And especially the rhythmic aspects that kept people clapping and tapping. The final musical numbers incorporated the audience clapping and keeping the beat while the musicians took over the melody.
Marin Jazz concerts is going full on to support after-school performing arts programs. ALL proceeds go to create programs for Marin students. This endeavor was the brainchild of Todd Ghanizadeh, Marin Jazz CEO/Producing Director, and is valued by Bay Area artists that feel passionately that regardless of means, kids need music and art education.
Entering the attractive moderate sized auditorium which allows everyone a good view, the stage was embellished with a few tall torches which lit the stage and gave a feeling of warmth and welcome. There were also poles that were reminiscent of jukebox decor, altogether creating a cozy but circus-like feeling. With keyboard, percussion and a drum set in back, guitarist Rolando Morales and harpist-violinist Carlos Reyes were front and center.
Todd and Carlos Reyes have been good friends for many years, which inspired this exceptional event. A friend of mine persuaded me to attend the concert, having seen Carlos in concert in the past. He is often found performing in the Bay Area. If you have a chance, don’t walk – run to get tickets.
Carlos Reyes, a recording artist, producer, engineer, harpist and violinist– has been breaking musical barriers since his first public performance at the age of five. Born in Paraguay South America. He began his musical education at the age of three and a half on the violin. A few years later, his father, a musical and national hero in Paraguay, dared young Carlos to learn the complicated 36 string native Paraguayan harp. The Paraguayan harp is the national instrument, the result of the confluence of European and Guarani musical cultures. Being called a child prodigy at an early age, he took his father’s challenge seriously. Carlos purchased his first harp for $50.00 when he was just ten years old. Two weeks later, he earned a double encore and $250.00 at his first professional harp concert. Since then, he has taken the Harp and its music to new and ground breaking levels. [More about Carlos].
Now a Grammy Award-winning virtuoso musician and prodigy, recording and world-touring artist, music executive, and media host, this was Carlos Reyes‘ Marin Jazz debut. An equally acclaimed group of musicians, his quartet included virtuoso jazz guitarist, recording and international touring artist Rolando Morales, Leo Vigil on drums, Randall Biagi on keyboard, and Silvestre Martinez with a full kit of percussion gear.
The audience had a surprise as other “guests” arrived individually, including the popular Tony Lindsay (Was Santana’s lead vocalist); well known East Bay pianist and vocalist Janice Maxie-Reid and Otoe Mori who entered the auditorium playing her saxophone.
[Link to Interview between Todd and Carlos regarding this performance.]
[Experience Carlos Reyes videos on Violin and Carlos Reyes on Harp]
Always filled with surprises, Carlos is a consummate entertainer whose stories are charming and funny and seamlessly blend with the music. After the intermission he had a gift certificate to give away. He set up a contest for the audience and ended up awarding the prize to the longest married couple in the audience. This 53-years married couple, also celebrating the husband’s birthday, won a weekend stay in a boutique hotel.
Along with original compositions and some ethnic rhythms, the program included some familiar tunes such as: Over the Rainbow, Imagine, Wonderful World. Europa Suite, Do I do, Can’t Stop Loving You, and an incredible upbeat version of Amazing Grace.
Marin Jazz concerts support after school performing arts programs for Marin County students. Marin Jazz CEO/Producing Director Todd Ghanizadeh; Marin Jazz
Marin Jazz continues its popularly acclaimed and bold inaugural season on Valentine’s Weekend, Saturday, Feb 15 with the incomparable HAROLD JONES AND THE BOSSMEN SWING BIG BAND, with vocalist JACKIE RYAN; and then get ready for a big afternoon of blues and soul on Sunday, March 16 with THE ANTHONY PAULE SOUL ORCHESTRA and guest singer extraordinaire, WILLY JORDAN. Proceeds from Marin Jazz concerts support after-school performing arts programs for Marin County students.
Ample free parking is available at Marin Center Showcase Theatre, 20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
All photos are by Jessica Levant.
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