I had the honor of getting and hearing the recordings of this trio earlier, so was prepared for last Friday’s concert and knew what to expect. Hearing this trio live, however, exceeded all expectations.
The Fort church’s acoustics and atmosphere, the wind blowing through several windows, it perfected the two-hour performance of the catchy and beloved Antillean music by trio Nos Otrobanda. Curaçao classics, like waltzes, danzas, mazurkas and tumbas, original and with a modern swing.
Jazz pianist Michiel Braam (head Jazz & Pop of the ArtEZ Conservatory), bass player Aty de Windt and percussionist André Groen form Nos Otrobanda, which was invited by ophthalmologist Stephan Palm to play two concerts at the Fort Church on Curaçao. Reason for the invitation was the fact that Braam has felt connected to and intrigued by Antillean music for more than twenty years, after hearing a cassette tape with the music of Edgar Palm.
The concert mainly presenting music from several musicians of the Palm dynasty. Classical Antillean music as we know it, more than often with a personal twist, interpreting and improvising with the material in a distinctive Braam manner, with a modern swing, without, however without affecting the original composition or Antillean music tradition negatively. Sometimes it took a little while to get used to the interpretation, knowing the traditional versions of this or that waltz, danza, mazurka or tumba. But the concert was exciting and gyratory, tempting the audience to tap the rhythm of the music all the time. Braam played excellently. In the compositions “Ina” and “Winy” he freely expressed himself, his fingers moving over the keys like a whirlwind, making the sounds burst. With every fiber of his being Aty de Windt, who was completely into the music, accompanied him and percussion player André Groen, playing conga and güira, more than often simultaneously. He proved to be very skilled on both instruments, which was most prominently the case during a solo in the composition “Cocktail di Shon Jan”. Aty de Windt ran the show in “Maria Cecilia”, singing and playing his guitar, which made the audience sing along. Braam’s own composition “Mi Biaha Ront Korsow” was a combination of a waltz, mazurka and tumba, resulting in a thunderous applause. The concert was a joy for our ears and it was delightful to see the musicians play the music so full of verve. Also it’s very worthwhile having this trio’s album “The Curaçao Experience”.
We know Michiel Braam as a pianist who moves outside the mainstream, being quirky and explosive, having flogged several pianos mercilessly. 'The Curaçao Experience', his latest Nos Otrobanda album, shows his very different, softer side. The trio is fully focused on playing traditional music from the Antilles: mazurka, danza, tumba and the Antillean waltz. Music which was especially very popular in the first half of the last century in the West Indies and was dominated for years by the musical Palm family. For many years Braam has felt attracted to one of the last representatives of this music, the Antillean pianist Edgar Palm, who died in 1998. Ultimately he recorded this tribute to Palm, even though Edgar comes from a very different musical world than the improvised music Braam is normally associated with. Braam does not exclusively play the traditional role of an Antillean pianist; his sensitive, authentic, respectful and sometimes poignant playing makes it almost unbelievable that he was born and raised in Nijmegen and not in the class quarter of Otrobanda on Curaçao. Braam indeed improvises, but very subtle as if he, above all, doesn't want to harm the original. On some occasions jazz rhythms make their way to the surface. This album gives peace and breaths a cheerful atmosphere. Perfect to listen to on a tropical night and to dance to, ultimately the aim of this Antillean music.
Jazz pianist Michiel Braam has fallen for Antillean music, and that's good news. Along with Aty de Windt on bass and percussionist André Groen he presents, under the name Nos Otrabanda, eighteen arrangements of songs from the rich heritage of the Palm Dynasty, apparently a very musical family. This Antillean waltzes, danzas and tumbas sound nostalgic; a song like Eliza immediately evokes the atmosphere of music for silent movies. There is certainly no lack of fire, such as in Teleraña, where a lovely supercool bass swings pleasantly the whole way through. The recording I want to praise separately here: it is very precise and completely in line with the music. All three instrumentalists can be heard articulating clearly. The fun here is evident. Initially I thought I missed some Monkesque madness or a free jazz here and there, with so much friendly swing going on. But it certainly has its charm that Braam decided to play the music pretty undistorted. The moment that sweet flow is interrupted (Ina, featuring a pleasantly unconventional intro) sharpens the attention immediately.
More than once the repertoire reminds of a free and very cheerful version of Chopin. The melancholy is far from present and Braam with his trio provides for an amazing party with short songs that rarely exceed five minutes.
The Curaçao Experience is a fine cd with lively, sunny music in a delicious Caribbean atmosphere. What a lovely record! Very worthwhile, and a brilliant discovery for those who have not yet heard of this segment of Curaçao music culture.
The trio plays the Antillean music with a deep respect for the compositions and tradition of the Antillean music as well as the playful freedom in interpretation and improvisation that characterizes Braam's music.