Cedar Walton, Udine November 29, 2010

Thanks to the folks at Euritmica the “Cedar Walton Jazz Quintet” hit the shores of Udine. The last time that 77 year-old Walton was in Udine was some 18 years ago. He’s regarded as one of the most important jazz pianists around. Walton was joined on stage by Darryl Hall on bass, a rather young New Yorker on drums, Willie Jones III, and two outstanding Italian musicians, Piero Odorici on sax and his fellow compatriot Roberto Rossi on trombone.

Texas-born Walton is considered to be one of the most valid interpreters of modern jazz and also a master of “funky” jazz. His resume also includes having played with the likes of Kenny Dorham, Jay Jay Johnson, Gigi Gryce, Benny Golson, Abbey Lincoln, Lee Morgan and Hank Mobley. In 1961 Walton joined the likes of Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter. He’s also worked with the likes of John Coltrane. His many years of promoting jazz around the world also won him in 2010 the prestigious “National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowships”, and award which is given out by the U.S. government. And one of the evening’s nicest songs? “(Somewhere) Over The Rainbow”!

Terakaft, Spilimbergo 25/11/2010

You think you’ve seen it all after: Iggy Pop, Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols), Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Alice Cooper, ZZTop and even David Bowie, when along comes the Terakaft trio to mesmerize you!

The word “Terakaft” means “The Caravan” in the Tamashek language. The trio, thanks to the folks at Folkest in the quaint little town of Spilimbergo (located just 30 kms from Udine), played to unfortunately—and literally—a handful of people (like about 30) in Spilimbergo’s small theatre. Indeed a pity that many missed out on this rather intriguing performance because Terakaft’s version of “desert-blues-rock” is not only fascinating but also very pleasing to the ear (the slow and rhythmic beat of their music brings to mind the tranquil and meandering movement of the Sahara’s camels).

The group was founded by guitarist/vocalist Kedou ag Ossad (also nicknamed “Khiwaj” or “The Giant”) and guitarist/bassist/vocalist Liya Ag Ablil, aka Diara. Spilimbergo’s performance saw on stage Sanou Ag Ahmed (guitar and vocals), Abdallah Ag Ahmed (bass and vocals) and a very talented Mathias Vaguenez (percussions).

Ag Ossad and Ag Ablil had both been previously members of the Tinariwen ensemble. Each made important contributions but Kedou, a hero of the Touareg Rebellion, was inspired to leave his Sahara-based hometown of Kidal, Mali for extended stays in Algeria and Libya. Upon his return, he re-established his partnership with Diara and they invited Rhissa Ag Ogham and Sanou Ag Ahmed to join in. Terakaft made its live debut at the “2007 Festival In The Desert”, recorded a first album, Bismilla (The Bko Sessions), and then embarked upon an extensive European tour.

Their show is a revolutionary form of Touareg "desert-rock-blues". It’s rather mystical and captivating music, so much so that it has also inspired the likes of Led Zeppelin’s former lead singer, Robert Plant. A good example of this can be seen in the “No Quarter Unledded” DVD that Plant did together with his former soul mate, Jimmy Page, back in 1994. There are scenes of the two playing in Morocco, and some of the music is in fact reminiscent of Terakaft (witness for example Plant/Page’s “”Most High”!). A good example of live Touareg music can also be seen in the town of Timbuktu during Mali’s music festival.