I love theater! I enjoy going to live theater 4-6 nights every week. Once in awhile, we do an Opera, or a ballet or a Symphony or perhaps an evening at Ravinia, but tonight I was invited to The Victory Gardens Biograph theater for the release of a new CD by one of the most exciting Latin bands I have ever heard– Guitarra Azul– a very “hot” “Hip” Chicago based Latin band, playing their mix of Contemporary Latin, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music led by Stefano, a brilliant Flamenco guitarist and composer– “Oasis” is a wonderful CD, 12 amazing pieces with sounds that are romantic, fiery, exciting and a pleasure to listen to…
This band is a treat to hear and tonight I was even more fortunate as I was able to see them perform LIVE– David Chiriboga has magical fingers on his guitar, Antonio on bass and the three percussionists– Miguel, Javier and Ruben (who did a stirring “duel” with Flamenco dancer, par excellence” Edwin Suarez are amazing. Add in the bass sounds by Antonio and of course, the brilliant Stefano and we were witness to a night to remember.
After leaving the Biograph, we put our new CD into the car system for the short ride home. I figured two tracks and we would be in the garage, but we were soon entranced by the sounds, we took a detour allowing us to hear five more tracks before pulling into our space. What a wonderful sound and what a wonderful experience.
It was wonderful to see The Biograph theater almost filled to capacity on a Monday night– a mixture of ages from 3 years old to 93– skins of all colors and I would have to think all religions as well. This was a true “theatrical experience” as well as each song tells a story and the musicians and the dancers (in particular the dancers) express themselves in the telling of this story with their hearts and souls- no words. The stories they told were beautiful and their ability to convey them to us was mystical and made for a feel good evening.
Alan Bresloff
theater/music writer and critic
