Last time I've seen
Cindy Blackman live on stage here in Munich was in 2002 right here also
at the Nightclub of the hotel Bayerischer Hof. The only difference to
last time and this time, is the fact, that she literatually stopped
playing drums for Lenny Kravitz, so she can concentrate more on her
solocarriere. Only now and then she stilll jumps in in Kravitz band.
Because despite all flexibility in music, her love is jazz music.
the
meanwhile 49 year old drum genius has worked with artists like Pharoah Sanders, Ron
Carter, Sam Rivers, Cassandra Wilson, Angela Bofill, Buckethead, Bill
Laswell and Joe Henderson in the past. And she names Tony Williams as
her biggest influence. Over all the years, Cindy Blackman has
established her own name in the biz. And every lover of this musical
style knows exactly who she is.
It's a fact, that this lady is a true rarity. Because there ain't many
female jazz drummers around.
However, tonight we got Cindy and her group again here at the comfi
nightclub of the Bayerischer Hof. (that's the hotel, where Metallica are
staying right now,as they are playing tonight as well at the
Olympiahalle) And the audiance here doesn't consist only of hotel guests
but also of some true fans, who have waited for a long time, that the
name Cindy Blackman shows up on the programm of this club again.
the gig starts at 9.30 p.m. with the first of two 50 minutes sets,
interrupted by a 20 minutes break. By the way, Cindy ain't alone up
there. She's accompanied by none other then
Vernon
Reid (Living Colour) a brilliant guitarist, who got the
talent to change from a wild rocker into a fusion player within a
second. On bass we got another well known musician, who is Steve
Jenkins.And
the second guitar is handled by a guy from New York City, named Aurelin
Budynek. He used to be member in the Paul Simon band. With these
musicians Cindy has generated a great power foursome, who shakes the
nightclub in it's foundation.
Oh, I have to say, I do not carry my professionell camera with me
tonight. And these simple fanpics are taken only with my small compact
cam.
As we all know, a drummer
ain't really the focus on stage. But this, only about 5 feet something
tall drummer is such a powerpackage, that our beer is evaporating in our
throats, while watching her. She herself says, that she got all this
energy from lots of sports training and eating organic food only.
Not so much practicing the drums, as it comes automatically, she adds.
During the first set, it's more or less Vernon Read pulling the
attention on guitar. But in the second set, Aurelin Budynek shows his
skill as well. And that's fantastic. Also bassist Jenkins shows some
brilliant bass solos. The musical programm consists of 80 percent fusion
jazz. But there is a Rock influence in between. And Vernon does even
some singing inbetween. ,
It's also a fact, that
this here is not the show of a solo performer, but rather a group
performance,where everybody takes the chance to show his/her talent.
Yeah well, I must say, you have to like this kinda music, to enjoy and
understand it. But when you do so, then you realize soon, how good these
musicians are.
Combined with the obvious pleasure to play it couldn't be more perfect.
Well done, and Mrs.Blackman would honestly deserve a wider attention in
musicbusiness.
And how she is defending her job in this almost pure male domain....?
Cindy:
“In terms of my goals,
me being a female drummer has nothing to with anything except for the
fact that I wear bras and panties and guys don't”
http://www.cindyblackman.com
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