Brazilian Jazzing with Angelita Li

My music-loving friends and I spent a wonderful night at No Black Tie yesterday. We have yet to experience a live jazz performance but then this is already history as the talented Ms Angelita Li crooned a mixture of jazz-sambas-bossa novas hit that got us all swaying and captivated. Although the majority of the songs were in Portuguese, the language barrier did not prevent us from appreciating the soul of the music that filled our hearts with evocative sentiments.

It goes without saying that the soul of music comes directly from the performers. The performers yesterday night comprised of Angelita Li on vocals, the amazing Valtinho Anastasio and Steve Thornton on the percussions, Norman Rahman on the bass and JP on the piano, who belted out the most amazing rendition of Brazilian and English tunes. Jazz music is nothing without spontaneity and teamwork and we had ample of those that brought the house down.

I am very impressed with the skills and creativity of the master percussionists that could work their fingers faster than the speed of light on the bongos; getting every beat precisely at the right moment. Mr Anastasio could basically turn anything into a music instrument and he did just that! Showing off a rubber water hose that was tied together at the end, he swing it above his head at about three feet from the microphone like a cowboy looping his whip, it produced a subtle lashing sound that added to the crunchy Brazilian sound. A bunch of keys could be turned in to a chilling chime that calms the racing mind. Even the boring abacus was used like maracas. I take my hat off to this group of true musicians!

Of course, Ms Li kept the mood going with her perfect vocals, not missing a single note. She hiked the melodic octaves with ease and sang out the passion of the Portuguese melodies while bringing out the melancholic drama of English hits like “Ain’t Noboby” by Chaka Khan. What won the show for me was her performance of Rose Royce’s Wishing on a Star. It just clicked – her voice, the sounds of piano, bass and percussions, the slightly stuffy and smoky ambience – I died. It took me a while to bring myself back, to rearrange my thoughts and feelings. And thereafter, I experienced rebirth. Maybe this is a glimpse of living from moment to moment.

We all enjoyed ourselves very much at the show. And I am sure we will surely ask for more.

Thanks to Angelita for hanging out with us after show and for agreeing to take some photos with us. You rock, girl! Keep the music coming!