Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Swiss jazz pianist Claude Diallo returns to Manila for 2015 Philippine International Jazz Festival


Swiss jazz pianist and composer Claude Diallo returns to the Philippines for a series of performances in line with the 2015 Philippine International Jazz Festival. For this year, he will perform both solo and with his trio, Claude Diallo Situation.

Claude kicks off his solo performance with a free solo piano concert at the Rizal Park Open Auditorium on February 21, 2015, 6:30 PM. The show will also feature Raoul and the Wild Tortillas as the opening number. He will be among the performers at the Pianofest on February 25, 2015, 7:00 PM at Manila Pianos in Makati.

Jazz pianist and composer Claude Diallo

The Claude Diallo Situation hops over to Bacolod City first with a performance on February 20, 2015, 6:00 PM at the L Fisher Hotel. Then it’s off to performances in Metro Manila on February 24, 2015, 6:00 PM 12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub in Makati, February 27, 2015, 6:00 PM at the Shangri-la Plaza Mall, and finally on February 28, 2015, 7:00 PM at the Solaire Eclipse, Solaire Resorts & Casino.

Claude Diallo, who is born of a Swiss mother and a French father, was destined to become a musician, as both parents played violin in the symphony orchestra. Inspired by Oscar Peterson’s fiery music, the young pianist was turned on to his true love-Jazz. Claude Diallo`s many accolades include: finalist in 2009 at the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition and the 2008 and 2011 recipient of the Cultural Achievement Award from his hometown of St. Gallen.

Claude Diallo Situation
Pianist Claude Diallo, drummer Massimo Buonanno, and bassist Laurent Salzard

Claude Diallo Situation is composed of pianist Claude Diallo, bassist Laurent Salzard, and drummer Massimo Buonanno. They’ve released their first CD Traveling with Music back in 2008 and since then have produced four more records and a DVD. The trio has toured successfully in Switzerland and throughout Europe, as well as in Asian countries like Japan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.

Claude Diallo during his jazz workshop with the FEU Drum and Bugle Corps

I’ve had the opportunity to meet Claude during his trip here for the 2014 Philippine International Jazz Festival when he conducted a jazz workshop for the members of the FEU Drum and Bugle Corps. He was able to provide the kids who took part in it a good starting point, which is the blues, to the world of jazz. The FEU DBC’s repertoire consists of traditional marches and arrangements of popular/film music and with a lone exception, none of them have tried improvising with their instruments before. The students may never have the opportunity to play jazz while on the field, but they were able to expand their music horizons with their workshop with Claude.

Too bad, my schedule back then didn’t permit me to watch any of Claude’s performances. Thankfully, he is back in the country this year (along with his group this time) and there are more chances for me to catch his performances.

Claude Diallo and the FEU DBC

Schedule of Claude Diallo's solo performances:

February 21, 2015, 6:30 PM Labs Kita, Sabado!
Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium
Manila

February 25, 2015, 7:00 PM Pianofest
Manila Pianos 
2/F CW Wine Depot 
Chino Roces Ave 

Schedule of Claude Diallo Situation performances:

February 20, 2015, 6:00 PM Bacolod Jazz Festival
La Proa Ballroom, L Fisher Hotel
Bacolod

February 24, 2015, 11:00 PM Cultural Night 
12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub
Kalayaan Avenue, Makati

February 27, 2015, 6:00 PM International Jazz Gala 
Shangri-la Plaza Mall 
Mandaluyong City

February 28, 2015, 7:00 PM Latin Fiesta Night 
Solaire Eclipse 
Solaire Resorts & Casino

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