Don’t let the traditional garb and habits fool you. Even though critically acclaimed jazz pianist Omar Sosa may be robed in pure Santerian (Cuba’s folk religion) white and the rest of his quartet in traditional African attire, and even while Omar lights a candle at the start of his performances to draw out his spirituality, the group is far from traditional.

For it was a non-stop flurry of experimental, genre-defying music that greeted and wowed the audience at the Recital Studio last night. Playing mostly material from Omar’s latest release, his tribute to Africa, Afreecanos, the irrepressibly energetic composer/ pianist/ bandleader and his ensemble delivered a modulated repertoire that melded traditional Afro-funk, clave-driven Afro-Cuban rhythms, North African chants and South American spirit vocals with electronics, pre-recorded samples and free jazz.

Displaying spontaneity, gusto and big smiles, the four took the audience on a journey through shifting soundscapes – from spiritual ritual to balmy Moroccan twilight, to sparse, desert solitude, to Cuban street rumba party – with great expressiveness, improvisation and skill.  

And it was unbelievably fun to see the musicians interacting and performing masterfully on their imaginatively diverse range of “instruments”. There was Omar playing, thumping, tinkling and fiddling on the piano, keyboards and electronics like a happy, mad, genius scientist, and Baba Sissoko from Mali playing the ancient ngoni and traditional African calebasse drumand shoulder-slung talking drums with impeccable timing and taste.

And then there was also the amazing Senegalese vocalist Mola Sylla and electric bassist Childo Tomas from Mozambique who doubled as percussionists and sound effects people, producing curious sounds from various strange objects – such as a crumpled piece of paper, a pipe, and even a half-filled bottle of water! In fact, when Childo made his entrance gargling water rhythmically from a glass, we knew we liked this quartet!

At one point, Omar got out from behind his piano, did a little funky jig and then decided to make music from the audience too, getting us all to provide back-up vocals. It was too bad the audience was largely too shy to do much more than murmur, but from the standing ovation and thunderous applause at the end of the session, it was clear the four had touched us all with their sublime gift and infectious joy.

6:30pm at the Mosaic Living Room:  Omar’s warm, almost uncle-like demeanour hides a stunning versatility on the guitar. Playing medleys of songs ranging from pop to jazz and even country, this maestro proved to be a hit with everyone—both young and old.
8:45pm at Nokia Powerhouse: Hailing from Malaysia, Reza Salleh and his band rocked out with powerful blues-tinged pop rock. Despite the bad weather, Reza gathered quite a crowd, with his down-to-earth lyrics and heartfelt riffs.
10pm at Nokia Powerhouse: Channeling a bit of Jewel and Alanis Morissette (minus the angst, of course) into her compositions, Megan Bowman’s husky voice and folk-rock vibe proved a hit with the audience, entrancing the crowd even as the gloomy weather continued.

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