Daniel Garcia Trio - Via de La Plata (CD)

Release Date: 01/29/19

'Daniel García is committed to exploring the natural affinities between jazz and flamenco.' WBGO

Salamanca is a city steeped in history, with ancient archaeological sites. For centuries student priests have walked in their flowing robes along the Calle Compañia, a central street shadowed by tall baroque buildings. The city was one of the main stopovers on the Vía de la Plata ('the silver way'), a Roman route from North to South of the Iberian peninsula. Daniel García has a deep feeling for what that ancient silver thread through his country means: it gave the peninsula its main artery. Spain exists as a melting pot of different cultures, with influences Celtic and Nordic, from the Eastern Mediterranean and Africa, and from the Americas too. Vía de la Plata is a living symbol of how 'all of this melts together in Spain,' as García explains. The pianist's awareness of these different cultures which have formed Spain is everywhere in this album: the guests represent musical heritages from different points of the compass. Charismatic clarinettist Anat Cohen produces wonderful emotion on 'Pai Lan'. Trumpet star Ibrahim Maalouf was born in Beirut; 'Silk Road' is a glimpse of the East. Guitarist Gerardo Núñez and García are equally fascinated by the links between Flamenco and jazz. In their first co-operation here they show a natural empathy, notably in 'Calima' named after the wind that carries sandstorms from the Sahara. García's trio fellows - Reinier Elizarde (bass), Michael Olivera (drums) - are from Cuba. García met them on the scene in Madrid. García is also a passionate advocate for Salamanca's musical heritage. The title track 'Vía de la Plata', with its intoxicating echoes of both Ravel and the Cameroonian coupé-décalé has García and Anat Cohen trading fragments of melodies from the charrada, a centuries-old Salamancan peasant dance, with everything fitting together miraculously and seamlessly. As a man and as a musician Daniel García is clear, thoughtful and self-aware. This very fine album defines him - and the history which has formed him.