Jazzville, NJ

Santi Debriano Trio Heats Up The Night at Skippers

Posted by Maria Miaoulis in Recaps & Reviews, Santi Debriano, Skippers, Newark, NJ

November 6th, 2009   No Comments »

History was made Wednesday, November 4, 2009, although it had nothing to do with the Yankees winning their 27th World Series championship. West of the city and over the roar of baseball fans - heavy, pulsating bass lines and relentless, high energy drumming could be heard at Newark’s landmark pub, Skippers, courtesy of a trio of jazz musicians playing together for the first time.

Bassist Santi Debriano, pianist Glauco Sagebin and drummer Steve Johns are well-known and renowned in their own right. Each has attended prestigious music schools, collaborated with countless jazz greats of past and present and put down roots in the greater NY/NJ area when not touring and performing for audiences across the world. But words cannot begin to describe the magic they created Wednesday night.

The music consisted mostly of Latin beats, not surprising considering Debriano and Sagebin were both born in South America. Deeply inspired by Brazilian legend Antonio Carlos Jobim’s work, they featured several of his most prominent songs in their set including Portrait in Black and White and Triste. The audience was effortlessly transported to another time and place, something music nowadays rarely does.

Although all three shared the spotlight, Debriano was undoubtedly the night’s standout with his impressive playing. He had a look of ecstasy on his face as he attacked his instrument with a fierce energy. He frequently writhed in sync with his bass, not so much playing it as dancing with it – both literally and figuratively. His passion was evident as he swayed and twisted. During the slower, more melancholy songs, his pained expressions seemed to coax extra emotion from each note.

Sagebin’s piano playing expertly accented the bass-driven songs, rarely taking the lead. Instead he let Debriano’s mastery shine through with frequent spontaneous improvisations. Johns’ experimental rhythms provided a steady beat and he never took some liberties with several incredible drum solos, transferring his unstoppable energy to the awestruck crowd.

The highlight of the evening was the trio’s extended improvisational piece based loosely on the Stevie Wonder hit Overjoyed. The meandering tune began with Sagebin’s light fluttering across the piano keys, slowly building into a driving, mesmerizing mélange of playing as each artist experimented with the notes.

Debriano, Sagebin and Johns certainly gave their all for the appreciative crowd, putting on a show those in attendance will not soon forget.