Promoted by Music Network, Rhythms of Bahia consists of a four-piece ensemble playing Brazilian jazz. The Irish trio of Tommy Halferty (guitar), Nigel Flegg (percussion), and Kieran Philips (drums) were joined by French bassist Gildas Bocle. The Mint provided an excellent venue for this relaxed and enjoyable afternoon's music.
They began with a restrained version of Salve Salgueirou, then stepped up the pace with Vera Cruz. Halferty's soloing was impressive on the latter tune, exhibiting a casual virtuosity. Here and elsewhere, Flegg and Philips combined effectively to create dense rhythmic textures. Their showcase came later, with Pardito Alto-Flegg creating all manner of rhythmic patterns around Philips's steady pulse. The piece suffered, however, from being over-long.
The highlight of the first set was a percussion-free version of Antonio Carlos Jobim's How Insensitive. Halferty switched to an acoustic guitar and played with great sensitivity: his solo was imaginative without ever straying far from the basic harmonies. Meanwhile, Bocle provided solid backing and also contributed a quirky arco bass solo (indeed, bowed solos were a feature of his playing throughout the concert).
The second set opened with Kenny Wheeler's Now I Know, with the main theme prefaced by a dazzling bass solo. Halferty's tune Anda worked well as a marked contrast in style - a free, at times wildly theatrical piece.
Gaio de Roseira was Latin-sounding, but had an unusually harsh rhythmic edge, exploited by Flegg in his percussion solo. The concert closed with one encore - an excellent version of Wave.
Rhythms of Bahia continues touring. Tuesday Tonight - Listowel; Wednesday - Limerick; Thursday - Tinahely.
