Four stars out of five
TURTLE
ISLAND STRING QUARTET and THE ASSAD BROTHERS
Mads Tolling and David Balakrishnan, violinists; Jeremy Kittel,
violist; Mark Summer, cellist
Sergio and Odair Assad, guitarists
Presented by Birmingham Music Club
Assad Brothers Guitar DuoA Brazilian classical guitar duo and a jazz string quartet --
each making strides in their respective corners of the music marketplace -- found common ground Sunday in Birmingham.
No
traces of aesthetic or sibling rivalvies could be detected from brothers Sergio and Odair Assad and the Turtle Island String
Quartet in their "String Theory" program. Instead, they presented a breezy, thought-provoking concert that elevated
the overused moniker "fusion" to a new aesthetic.
TISQ kicked off the two-hour show by themselves, with two tracks from the quartet's Grammy-winning John Coltrane tribute
album, "A Love Supreme." "Moment's Notice" set the mood with its distinctive harmonies and infectious
tunes, but the group hit its stride with a vibrant and percussion arrangement of "Song to John," co-composed by
Stanley Clarke and Chick Corea.
Turtle Island String QuartetCorea's "No Mystery" seemed ideally made for
the combined ensembles, at least in this arrangement by TISQ violinist David Balakrishnan. The six musicians' lustrous
blend left no doubt about their homogeneity and adaptability, but Sergio Assad's "Djembe," a kinetic, altogether
mesmerizing piece, took their collaboration to a new level.
Astor Piazzolla's "Verano Porteno" and Clarice
Assad's "Rachenitsa" contributed to the concert's world beat theme. The Assads' duo-only set was highlighted
by "Tahhiyya li ossoulina," which built a musical bridge to the Middle East with its evocative melodies reminiscent
of an Arabic oud (lute). Balakrishnan's "Darkness Dreaming" was driven by an Indian raga, but was left flailing
between between jazz and modern classical. "Ecotopia," by the pioneer crossover musician Ralph Towner, created a
world-ish, minimalist ambiance. Sergio Assad's contemplative "Farewell," was played as an encore.
A slim
crowd that filled only about half of Jemison Concert Hall heard what may be the most groundbreaking musical collaboration
in many concert seasons.
mhuebner@bhamnews.com
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