International lineup jazzes up French Embassy's Les Jeudis culturels

In line with the International Day of Jazz, the latest edition of Les Jeudis culturels/Cultural Thursdays gets jazzed up as the Embassy of France to the Philippines and the Alliance française de Manille, in cooperation with the Philippine International Jazz Festival, present Jeudi Jazz, an online concert streaming on April 29, 2021, 8:00 PM via the Facebook page of the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia.

Leading the international roster of performers is French jazz pianist, composer, and musical arranger David Starck. Joining him in this concert are Claude Diallo from Switzerland, Francesco Maccianti from Italy, and Adrian Oropeza from Mexico.

International Jazz Day is commemorated every 30th of April to celebrate the values associated with jazz, such as the freedom of expression, innovation, and understanding between peoples. This year, this occasion also highlights the power of jazz to bring people together, especially at this time in which people remain confined to their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

An intimate night with Swiss jazz pianist Claude Diallo

Jazz pianist Claude Diallo

Swiss jazz pianist Claude Diallo is no stranger to the Philippine jazz scene. He has made it a point to drop by country and have a concert or two whenever he happens to be in the Asia Pacific region that I've already stopped counting how many times I've seen him perform in here.

Claude's latest stop included an intimate concert presented by the Embassy of Switzerland and the Alliance Francaise de Manille. This evening was among the last events hosted by outgoing Ambassador Andrea Reichlin before she finished her tour of duty here in the Philippines.

The hour long showcase had Claude on the piano performing jazz arrangements of familiar tunes like Overjoyed with a delightful 7/4 time signature, as well as his own compositions that he has dedicated to key people in his life, like Cameroonian jazz bassist Richard Bona, and his son Leo Matthieu.

The evening was capped by a cocktail reception wherein guests were able to meet and get to know Claude over drinks. It was a great pleasure knowing that a huge chunk of the audience have not seen Claude perform before until that night.

Here is a sample of Claude Diallo's discography to enjoy until the next time he drops by the country.

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