BEATrio
BEATrio are a new configuration of the top tiered jazz musicians in the world today. They consist of Bela Fleck on Banjo, Edmar Castaneda on Harp and Antonio Sanchez on drums. If you look closely at the name the BEA in their name, it is the first letters of their name.
This trio is made up of three very different sounds that you think wouldn’t work well together. These three men made sure that they could break those rules and prove it live on stage.
I could spend most of this article talking about their accomplishments, but instead I just simply tell you what I sat through.
The Performance at Meridian Arts Centre
This took place in North York at the beautiful Meridian Arts Centre on Saturday April 25th. The three members walked on stage happy and confident and then began a musical commencement that was fast and furious. This immediately stopped the crowd from breathing, because that may be too loud to disturb the sound in the room.
Once our breath was caught, they switched gears and created a wild and choppy ride of jazz fusion that took us to the road less travelled. This road didn’t seem to have any borders as they traversed new landscapes.
The physical energy in the room came from Edmar Castaneda on harp. He was not shy showing off some of his dance moves both with his lightning-fast fingers as well as his stomping feet. He would look into the audience with his radiant smile and made sure everyone felt welcomed.
Antonio Sanchez has his eyes wide shut as he tap-danced around his drum kit with a bombastic style of erratic rhythms. He seems to have that talent of keeping us off balance with new and exciting drum patterns and held the other two players close and locked into his fury.
Bela Fleck was stoic and composed like a true master of keeping everything in control and making sure everything was flying at top speed with sheer precision.
Being in Canada gave them license to have a little fun with today’s politics. Bela let us know the band was happy that they were not playing in the 51st state. He went on with the story of the three of them getting together for this project. The only way this could happen is that they would make decisions based on a democracy.
As we went back into the show, they performed new songs from their latest release. The piece called “Kaleidoscope” opened with a metaphysical drum solo and as if by a magic portal a sound opened up and a fresh enthusiasm was dancing within our flesh. Our spirits were reborn to rejoice.
Edmar shared a heartfelt story about having serious hand surgery after a horrific fall in 2019 that jeopardized his career. He shared his road to recovery and today he was playing better than ever. His determination and passion were very evident as he looked joyful playing every note of his harp as if it were an extension of something greater.
Bela shared his story about creating a tango called, “Cloak and Dagger”, on his banjo and was excited to share this with his southern friends. This became a running joke, saying this was not a tango but a Cha Cha, or was it a Samba? At this point we didn’t care because it was brilliant and fun to listen to.
What made Antonio’s performance on drums special was it wasn’t necessarily his grandiose approach. That would be too easy to describe. It wasn’t that his playing wasn’t mind blowing it really was. It was that his playing truly engulfed your heart and made room in there to help expand your conciseness.
When the band finished off with their encore piece called, “Touch and Go”, they left Toronto feeling both joyous and glorious.
That was felt even leaving the auditorium as strangers were exchanging their experience with each other.
Aftershow Special
Like a good aperitif, there were two artists in the lobby playing traditional music from Iran. They were Padideh Ahrarnejad and Ali Massoudi. They brought Middle Eastern instruments like a Tar that was made with two different kinds of woods. The body was shaped like two hearts kissing and it sounded like a celebration for the people of Iran. The drums were made of natural hide and had a both a percussion sound mixed with a tambourine sound. This was a perfect way to wind down after a spectacular evening of staggering world music.
Images of a wonderful evening:
If you would like to see what other amazing shows are happening at the Meridian Arts Centre just click on this link and find out what TO Live has in store for you.
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