GREAT START TO JAZZ WINNIPEG NU SOUNDS SERIES

TicketMOMster Review: Marco Castillo @ The Park Theatre

It was a vibrant opening to Jazz Winnipeg Nu Sounds Series at the Park Theatre. /ANNE MARTIN

Marco Castillo kicked off the Jazz Winnipeg Nu Sounds Series at The Park Theatre last night, with a tribute to one of his biggest influences, Hermeto Pascoal.

Because I have no idea who that is, here’s what the Jazz Winnipeg event page says about him:

“Pascoal was an eccentric, experimental, virtuosic player, and underrated legend who shaped Brazilian music as we know it. Castillo will pay homage to his hero’s innovative sound and play some originals inspired by the Pascoal sound.”

It was a smart move by Jazz Winnipeg to position this show in the middle of January. The last time I saw Marco lead a band, it was at the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival in June. I remember feeling like I was being whisked away to Brazil. When it’s so cold that your face and fingers freeze in minutes and you wish you could go to Brazil to get away from it, this is the next best thing.

The show began with the sound of percussion at side stage, behind the curtain. Then the band members walked out while playing percussion and took their spots on stage. I recognized everyone:

– Marco Castillo (vocals, guitar & percussion)

– Neil Watson (sax & percussion)

– Quincy Davis (drums & percussion)

– Gilles Fournier (bass & percussion)

– Mike Manny (keyboard & percussion)

My toes started tapping almost immediately, so I decided to get comfy. I took my boots off and sat cross-legged on the couch as the upbeat, lively music swirled around me.

Before the second song, Davidian Chorley (flute) took the stage. I don’t recall seeing him play before. I have recently developed a fascination with the flute. I used to play the flute in my high school band, but only because they wouldn’t let me play the drums. Needless to say, my heart wasn’t in it. But maybe that’s because I never appreciated the flute in Jazz and Blues compositions.

Long story short (too late), Davidian made me want to crack open my flute case. I’m going to resist that urge, because I’m not a musician and I KNOW when musicians make things look easy, usually they’re not.

Marco Castillo and friends had Park Theatre audience smiling and toe tapping. /ANNE MARTIN

Speaking of making things look easy, that band was great. It would be incredibly redundant of me to go through each song describing their solos, because there were just too many worthy of being mentioned. Plus, I’d run out of synonyms for the word “excellent”.

As the show went on, I realized I was smiling. Actually, I don’t think I stopped smiling. By the fifth song, I felt myself breathing. That sounds really strange, but if you read my review yesterday about Blue Rodeo, you’d know that I’m in the thick of mourning.

My body feels like I’m carrying around 800 pounds of sadness. I think when that happens, you breathe really shallow. just enough to stay alive and above water. I guess during the show, that sadness lifted a little and I was able to breathe better. Which is really quite remarkable considering how heavy and low I feel.

This was a great start to the Nu Sounds Series. It was warm, fun and upbeat, and I’m going to bed smiling. Thank you Marco and band.

Good night.

TicketMOMster is a Rock and Jazz-loving Mom. single-handedly keeping Ticketmaster alive in Winnipeg. Follow her musical journey here: www.facebook.com/TicketMOMsters

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