Bergara has taken the swinging gypsy jazz style of the great Django Reinhardt and injected it with the passionate tango music of his native Argentina, and emerged as one of the most prodigious guitar talents in the jazz world. Starting out as a trio, backed by double bass and rhythm guitar, the concert opened with a Reinhardt composition, and an impressive display of virtuosity. With brother Maki joining in on the cajon the line up expanded to quartet and playing Bregara's own compositions. Finally the quintet came into being with the arrival of an Italian violinist (whose name I sadly didn't catch) who lifted what was already an enjoyable experience into the something more sublime. Her playing has classical influences, but a true jazz heart, full of imagination and the unexpected, both in her hugely impressive solos and the interplay with Bergara.
Backed by a tight rhythm section, who had their own individual moments to shine, the two leads spurred each other on. Playing with passion and wit, they consistently surprised their listeners, the fiddle taking on the tones of brass and wind, reaching soaring high notes and clawing at emotion. In between numbers Gonzalo was disarmingly charming, self deprecatingly funny, and informative.
A jazz delight.
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