Jazz Jazz Jazz in the garden
Metropol Jazz Society, Jordi Roviró’s Dizzy Quintet, Lady Lili Mae meets Ella in Hollywood, Kurt Prohaska Trio feat. Štefan Pišta Bartuš
The Story of Jazz – 3rd International Open Air Summer Festival – Day 2 JOY!, Wiener Metropol Pawlatschen, Austria 20230617
Vienna has been an epicenter for music ever since. So on a regular Thursday, you can see DuoLia. present their new single at The Loft, Balconystories at Kramladen or Ankathie Koi open the Pride. Or you go to Metropol to experience part of ‚The Story Of Jazz‘ hosted by Kurt Prohaska.
In the garden of the renowned venue, under maple and chestnut trees, the pianist moderates the second evening of the third festival consisting of four parts. ‚JOY!‘ is the motto, after the album title „Kindness Joy Love & Happiness“ of the Great Jazz Trio with mentor Hank Jones.
As first formation, the Kurt Prohaska Trio featuring Štefan Pišta Bartuš from Slovakia on double bass and Howard Curtis (US) on drums takes a journey through history beginning in 1977 going way back to 1946 and 1923 ending with „Wave“ from 1967. The way how Howard works his cymbals is fascinating as well as the speed of Štefan on his fingerboard, who adjusts his amp every now and then.
Parts of the tunes might have been used as samples by Hip Hop artists like Guru, N.W.A, Philiam Shakesbeat or Jay-Z. The second chapter takes on songs from Ella Fitzgerald with Lady Lili Mae from Serbia on vocals. With her gentle voice she easily reaches high altitudes and brings the galmour to „This Could Be the Start of Something“, „It Might As Well Be Spring“, „Just In Time“ and „I’ve Got A Crush On You“.
For part three, Jordi Roviró (ESP) on alto saxophone and Matej Novak (SVK) on trumpet join to build Jordi Roviró’s Dizzy Quintet. They play a tribute to Bepop pioneer Dizzy Gillespie including with „Allen’s Alley“, „Tin Tin Deo“, „Grooving High“ and „Birks Works“, suddenly making think of Bud Spencer playing at the Jazz club.
The big final unites all musicians as ‚Metropol Jazz Society‘ performing more highlights like „Mean To Me“ and „Lover, Come Back To Me“ bringing up ‚Scrubs‘. Howard then unhinges the chains of his snare in the solo and hits the hi-hat stand.
Like this, a lovely Jazz evening comes to its close, while the festival continues and even features a kids special to show them the basics of the genre: rhythm, improvisation and communication. And for interested, Štefan has more venue tipps in the city like Porgy & Bess, Jazzland and ZWE.