Daniel García, Reinier Elizarde, Michael Olivera
(Ronnie Scott’s. 5 July 2024. First House. Review by Sebastian Scotney. Photos by Robert Crowley)
Salamanca-born, Madrid-based Daniel García is, rightly, becoming better known. He turned 40 last year and is at the forefront of his generation of Spanish jazz musicians. He was one of the three nominees for European Artist of the Year Award at the Académie du Jazz in France a few months ago. He was actually in the UK not just for this appearance at Ronnie Scott’s, but also to appear in a prestigious role: as a member of Dhafer Youssef’s band at the Love Supreme Festival.
He has a new, third album coming out on ACT next month. “Wonderland” is “still at the factory”, I was told. It is with his regular trio who were also with him at Ronnie’s: two Cuban musicians, Reinier Elizarde “El Negrón” on bass and Michael Olivera on drums. They have been together for a decade.
“Wonderland” is just as approachable, subtle and deep as the last album (“Vía de la Plata” from 2021), but it invites the listener into a broader range of emotions and moods – the explorations at the quieter and more contemplative end of the spectrum are being developed more. Jon Carvell wrote in an album review: “The craftsmanship and level of compositional detail are exquisite. García’s arrangements are intricate and subtly balanced, and his achievement is to make our jorney rich with musical variety and no shortage of wit and invention.” So now we have all that… and more.
The exhilarating sense that all kinds of contrasts are now possible was reinforced by this live appearance at Ronnie’s. García has been brilliant at all the Jarrett-ish motivic, driving, dancing stuff, his fruitful work exploring centuries of courtly and peasant dances from Spain allows him to throw all kinds of challenges to the other members of the trio, but the excitement is enhanced by these new and quieter colours too.
The fact that this trio has existed for a decade shows in the instinctive way they are able to communicate and empathise. When Daniel García throws out a challenge it is always with a persuasive smile. That is his way. Before you know it, the trio has already switched suddenly into the new mood or tempo as if by magic and serendipity. They move as one. There were countless magical examples like that in the trio’s set at Ronnie’s on Friday, and the audience were quickly drawn in and became more and more supportive and engaged. García has such an encouraging presence, it all seems so natural. And his bandmates give real positive energy too. For example, in all the years I have been going to Ronnie’s I cannot remember a bass solo being applauded with quite such enthusiasm as the spectacular one which Reinier Elizarde gave us near the end of the set.
It was also real joy to witness how well, how naturally García and his two Cuban-born compadres were able to win over the Friday night audience at Ronnie’s. You could feel it build: a seamless flow from increasingly appreciative and affectionate applause … to a final bit of singing over the tune “Gitanilla” … to a very busy merch counter meet-and-greet. A happy gig.
