http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpsUoAtSbDE concert preview
Sunday evening I drove to the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts to see international recording artist Yanni. Yanni is a legendary composer and live performer who has brought hundreds of millions of fans together via his concerts. One of public television's all-time top fundraisers, Yanni recently played two sold-out concerts at the historic 16th-century Castillo San Felipe Del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The dates were the first-ever performances at this recognized UNESCO Heritage Site, which is the oldest edification under the American flag. Yanni: Live at El Morro, Puerto Rico, made its nationwide debut on public television March 3, marking the composers tenth collaboration with PBS.
The shows also connect the famed Puerto Rico landmark with other iconic sites that have played host to Yanni's spectacular concerts including the Acropolis in Greece, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Forbidden City in China.
The concert is largely based on his 2011 release Truth of Touch, although also drawing from other signature classics including Nightingale, One Man's Dream, and Niki Nana, is his 19th overall and 16th studio release.
I have been exposed, through Yanni's music and dvds, to some extraordinary musicians: Charlie Adams on drums, Pedro Eustache on woodwinds, Ramon Stagnaro on guitar, Ming Freeman on keyboards, and the amazing Karen Briggs on violin. I have been able to see and meet Karen at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and at the Omaha Jazz Fest in Omaha, Nebraska.
Yanni's "international" band members were:
Charlie Adams - drums
Benedikt Brydern - violin
Jason Carder - trumpet and flugelhorn
Yoel Del Sol - percussion
Victor Espinola - harp (I have never seen the harp played like this man did...)
Ming Freeman - keyboards
James Mattos - French horn
Sarah O'Brien - cello
Mary Simpson - violin
Dana Tebo - trombone
Gabriel Vivas - bass
Samvel Yervinyan - violin
Alexander Shiroff - cello
Lauren Jelencovich - vocals
Lisa Lavie - vocals
the album cover:
the non-flash photo I took at the end (and got reprimanded by the usher)
The talent of the 13 musicians and Yanni's compositions made this one of the best concerts I have ever attended. Unfortunately, many people think of Yanni's (and call him Yawn-i) music as elevator music, including the lady who sat next to me, but soon into the concert, was clapping and tapping her feet. Another fan........
