VIDEO Sing the Truth at the Montreal Jazz Festival

Monday June 27, 2011

From the Montreal Gazette

Montreal International Jazz Festival 2011: Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright at Theatre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts; June 25, 2011
By Bernard Perusse

There was a seemingly genuine camaraderie between powerhouse singers Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright as they paid tribute to the late musical truth-tellers Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln and Odetta at Theatre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts Saturday night. They soloed, duetted and sang in three-part harmony, as required, all the while supporting each other. No upstaging.

The execution of the tribute concept was liberal: Both Sides Now, Talkin’ ‘bout a Revolution and Baby I Love You, for example, are associated with other women singers than the three honourees, but the spirit of the event drew a straight, joyous line between the African, jazz, gospel and folk traditions and the wonderful, unifying sounds we take for granted today.

The three singers have different styles: Wright is all class and drama, Reeves brings the earth-mother joy and Kidjo, at 50, is the uncontrollable fireball – dancing furiously, baiting the audience to sing louder and even jumping into the crowd like a possessed pied piper.

Read the entire review here
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*Live at the 2011 Montreal Jazz Festival
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