Jorge Martinez, Les Violons d'Automne & Cesaria Evora

Back in January 2008, I got a call from Flamenco virtuoso Jorge Martinez, asking me if I'd be into playing with him in September of 2008 at a violin festival in Saint-Jean-Port-Jolie. Of course was the answer, I learned the repertoire as quickly as time would allow (about 10 days prep time and two rehearsals w/Jorge, not the band), and Jorge & his ensemble picked me up on Sept. 17th and off we drove to the gig.

Saint-Jean-Port-Jolie is located about an hour 1/2 north east of Quebec City. It is right on the edge of the Saint-Laurent river and quite beautiful. The show went very well, and people went crazy. Before we started, the hall was already full and people had to stand in the back and the aisles. Jorge had suggested that I choose a song from my repertoir for JMZ to play, so I picked a serbian gypsy song "Ederlezi" to begin the second set. To my surprise, people recognized the song, screamed and got up to dance. For the remainder of the second set, the whole hall was up and dancing. yes..."it was a grrreeeeat success:! And on top of that, we shared some wonderful moments...

But talking about success, Jorge's team were so happy with the connection that we shared on stage, that a week after Les Violons d'Automne, they invited me to come and hang out back stage at Place des Arts' Salle Wilfred Pelletier and watch them open for Cesaria Evora. Here they are warming up during soundcheck:

Now this must have been the first time that I'd be at a show but not playing it. And what a wonder it was! First of, the food rider set up by Spectra was amazing. And as foolish of a girl as I am...having an undying love for food...I spent a good portion of the evening eating from the buffet. So much so that Spectra was not very impressed by my table manners and Jorge's manager, Joe, did hear about it. Besides that, let's focus on the music now. Jorge blew the crowd away. Many shows I have seen, and many shows I have contributed to getting people up on their feet and dancing like there was no tomorrow, but this one sent shivers up my spine. At the last song of the set, I got up from the soundman's booth and decided to walk up to the side of the stage...

I turned around to look at the concert hall instead of the artists on stage. It was amazing; the hall was sold out and everybody was up and clapping their hands to the beat. You have to understand that Place des Arts' salle Wilfred Pelletier hosts l'Opera de Montreal and the OSM and the audience that comes with season tickets. I would've never expected to see this demographic up and dancing. You can view it on MySpace TV on Jorge's site: www.myspace.com/jorgemartinezJMZ

The ice was broken, the crowd was sold and warmed up...ready to see Cesaria Evora come on stage next. Cesaria was amazing. The timber of her voice blew me away, Her stage presence was anti-presence. So casual and indifferent to her surroundings was her demeanor, for all one knows Cesaria could have been performing for 4 people at an intimate cafe. It was difficult to get back to reality and realize she was performing in front of thousands. I found her truly amazing...and besides seeing her pass by back stage, I didn't get to be closer to her than that. But her warm voice filled us all with a feeling of having spent a wonderful evening!