Here we are again, for the pleasure of listening live jazz at small venues, and to please the 105 subscribers and 555,000 visits we had in our Youtube Channel Polinomio. This year we had difficulties to shot jamm sessions because there wasn’t any at Jazz de Medianoche at the hotel. Until last day, saturday, when tireless Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra appeared, after playing the Suite Vitoria at Mendizorrotza venue. And they bundled, as did other years during the festival week and while the Jazz Seminar taught at the Conservatorio Jesus Guridi. Este año el seminario lo dio Path Metheny , que no es amigo de aventuras nocturnas con público, así que las noches en el hotel fueron sosas y aburridas, a pesar de los esfuerzos de Pepe Rivero &friends ->VIDEO por calentarlas. This year’s seminar was conducted by Pat Metheny, who is no friend of nocturnal adventures with the public, so the nights in the hotel were bland and boring, despite the efforts of heating by Pepe Rivero & friends -> VIDEO.

Fortunately on Saturday we compensated with Marcus Printup (video above), Sean Jones -> VIDEO, the incredible pianist Dan Nimmer -> VIDEO, trombonist Chris Crenshaw -> VIDEO, and more ...

We promise ourselves that we won’t do it again -because of the hard job that nobody sponsors by the moment- but we cannot resist: There are so many news that Television Española (public national spanish TV) doesn’t cover! So, here goes a new video-diary of Vitoria Jazz Festival to please the big audience of last year Festival video-diary -more than 160,000 visits up today.

As always, most authentic concerts are in Hotel NH Canciller Ayala, where we found unique moments like this video of Terence Blanchard’s jamm session - the brilliant trumpet player composer of numerous sound tracks of Spike Lee films-, that made at daybreak, after its official performance in Mendizorrotza. AND THIS is another moment of his intervention.

There we have the pianist Cyrus Chestnut with his trio every nigh -check out in this this video the incredible nimbleness of his fingers- in the same venue where we find New York’s Juilliard School masters, like the great trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, that after teaching in the morning at a local School, and play in another concert, still has this big power playing... at 2 in the morning!

Also we enjoyed curisosos moments as this Jazz for a hole. But freshest and openest venue of this year’s Festival is without a doubt the JAZZTERRACE, an interesting programming in the Garden of Falerina at midday, that mixes Jazz, -see Ronnie Lynn Patterson trio in action- , Soul, funk, latin... and rare projects like the amused Santi Ibarretxe & Primital, as we see in this video in which we even find religious melodies with lyrics in Latin and basque languaje… an authentic dadaism update.

If someone is wondered what have in common mathematics and music, I invite to them to see this video of the Concert for two pianos in A BMW 1061, of Juan Sebastian Bach, played by Iliana Ross and Marekhi Kotetishvili. If you prefer something romantic, see here its interpretation of Astor Piazzola's Gran Tango. And if you wish listen to them live, write them at rossiliana(at)yahoo.es

Even those that don't know what is the Jazz can evade the enchantments of a Big Band. They have enjoyed, without knowing it, in numerous occasions seeing films of years 50's, 60's, and even present ones; laughing with Pink Panther cartoons…
In Vitoria -Gasteiz has been celebrated the fourth edition of the Big Band Jazz Festival, where two local bands participated: the Gasteiz Big Band and the Big Band Berri, and two foreign ones: the Bob Sands Big Band and Creativa Big Band Latina. Altogether, several dozens of musicians of great level that, when finishing the concerts at Sala Azkena, were joined in the pub Man in the Moon to measure their endless creative forces in jamm sessions like the one of the attached video, for delight of the numerous fans to the jazz of the Basque Country capital.

For that reason, the development of technologies like the compressed air motor of MDI company is a hopeful new. MDI has developed vehicles whose deposit could be filled by 1.5 euros, circulating up to 110 Km/h during 200 km. Commercial price of each vehicle can be around 7300 euros, and its level of contamination is zero: its exhaust pipe only leaves air.

Who said that do not exist real alternatives? Until where will arrive the agreement with the Tata Indian company ?

5th of June. World Day of Environment.

In addition, the city will be flooded of multiple parallel activities: II Workshop of Sound tracks, Exhibitions, Strolls of Cinema by the City - guide visits to places where films have been shooted, Concerts, Celebrations…

Polinomio Estudios will manage the contents of the official Web of the Festival, as well as its blog Cinefforum, from where you can follow everything that happens during these days… and nights.

This it is the video of japanese percussionist Rie Watanabe, when premiered the piece Skin's Traces of Juan Jose Eslava composer, at Festival SINKRO of contemporary music. It was on 22th February 2007, in Jesus Guridi Conservatory of Music of Vitoria-Gasteiz.

The instrumental gesture usually has been considered like an act that executes musical elements constituted by discreet parameters (height, duration, dynamics). Focusing the work of composition on the internal energy of the instrumental gesture poses new questions on its relation with the musical annotation and writing: How to write down the gestures integrating its transitory particularitities and their irregularities, temporary?

In this video of STAFF -last Damian Muñoz Danza work- we can enjoy a Virginia Garcia coreography with Alexis Fernandez, and live music by Steven Dall. At the bottom and the middle of the scene, you can see the 3 video projectors used as videoillumination -made by Polinomio Estudios over a Damian Muñoz's idea- that weave the sky in which the action is taken underneath.

STAFF Gig 2007: 8th, 9th March, SEVILLE; 15th March, LEIOA (Bizkaia); 17th March, SAN SEBASTIAN; 25th March, ARENYS DE MAR (Barcelona).; 15th April, BARAKALDO (Bizkaia); 19th April, VITORIA-GASTEIZ; 27th April, LASARTE (Gipuzkoa).

Here we have a video of violinist Nika Bitchiashvili -our near Stephane Gappelli- jamming on Fast Train theme, with Tren Nocturno group, at Enrique Loyola's El Club de Lenny show.

The splendid performance of mezzosoprano Itziar Lesaka, accompanied on the piano by Sergio Gutiérrez, and the texts of Bertol Bretch interpreted by the actress Arantxa Ezquerra, located to us in that special period of the History of Europe. In addition, Roberto Casado played flute; Vicente Elizondo, Oboe; Patxi Divar, clarinet; Iñaki Iraola, fagot; Patxi Tardio, horn; Josetxo Silguero, saxophon; Victor Parra, violin; and François Monciero, violonchello.

The disposition of the public, the stage scene, the illumination and the scene direction, made a certain Cabaret atmostphere, thanks to the work of Javier Larreina, Javi Ulla, Mari Cruz M. Irazábal and Alfonso Garcia de la Torre.

VIDEO 1 - Barbara’s Song - Kurt Weill (1928)

VIDEO 2 - Sonata en Re menor (Allegro) - Dmitri Shostakovich (1934)

VIDEO 3 - Hot Sonate (2nd mov.) - Erwin Schulhoff (1930)

VIDEO 4 - Sonata Blues - Maurice Ravel (1923-1927)

VIDEO 5 - Kleine Kammermusic op.24 nº2 - Paul Hindemith (1922)

PHOTOS

Performed by Carmen San Esteban and Iñaki Rikarte, and directed by Mari Cruz M. Irazábal, it has twelve scenes of mix-ups between a mother and her adolescent son, both in an unstable situation in the family and the work, that leads towards an unexpected situation for them and the public.

The stage scene was made by Javier Larreina, and placed the public on circular rows that surrounded the actors, who sometimes were confused in him. The illumination of Javier Ulla drew up a diagonal in the circle, with handled movable elements at sight. Polinomio Estudios made a parallel video installation, in which videos of the performance creation process were mixed live.

Contemporary theater that asks about catharsis notion. Is it possible a tragedy today?

PHOTOS --> HERE

You can see the first images of the concert of day 27 HERE.

While we prepare videos of the event, you can enjoy Ruper's last published videoclip HERE.

The design and production of scenery were in charge of Javier Larreina, and Polinomio Estudios made visuals and live video.

More PHOTOS of Gospel Train HERE .

More PHOTOS of Fercussao Project HERE .

SUNDAY, July 9^th

We have a trip until Campas de Armentia , where a traditional celebration takes place every April 28^th, and where today there is the same familiar environment -children, grandparents, picnic blankets on the grass- but more cultured and elegant. Typical New Orleans music played by Dukes of Dixieland, impeccably dressed, transports us to the first decades of XX century. The best, Richard Taylor, the leader and baterist, striking with his drum-sticks the cords of Everett Link’s bass, while Everett marks the notes in the fret.

Later on, Dr. Michael White Quarter , moves us backwards, until the 20s, with the characteristic background that provides the banjo of Detroit Brooks. Incredible the interpretation of the classic Summertime, whose first recording was made in 1939! Moreover, Dr. Michael plays an original composition titled “Blues for Vitoria”, and in recognition to be here, not watching the final of the world champion soccer on TV (even, we are rare)

In spite of soccer on TV, there are about 1000 people enjoying jazz in the Campas, there are 20ºC and everything is free (except drinks)

MONDAY, July 10^th

We come in the main festival venue, Mendizorrotza Pavilion, to enjoy with one of our favourite groups from the acid jazz times: INCOGNITO . The called Electronic Night, that does not have any electronics, only good fusion, invites to us to dance and to enjoy the quality of the 11 INCOGNITO components on stage. His leader, Paul Maunik, let the others demonstrate their value, and in the end he shows that he could sing and play every instrument, but he prefers Peace and Universal Love, the elimination of borders and good roll. Where can I sign?

TUESDAY, July 11^th

In Mendizorrotza plays the Master-Monster Paco de Lucia , and in the city grow up the locals with good live music, always from midnight. In Café Dublin we find Belleville Trio -> VIDEO , -two guitars and a viola- a delight music with a French touch. In Molly Malone pub plays the saxophonist Iñaki Arakistain -> VIDEO , with a group of pure funk. Meanwhile, in Juke Box pub we meet the universal Gecko Turner ->VIDEO , with his intimate blues with a Manu Chao flavour; In addition, they demonstrate that it’s not necessary to saturate the amplifier volume to reach the soul of the public.

We finished the night in the Canciller Ayala Hotel, where, as every year, we have an exceptional trio with an outside series pianist: Ronnie Mathews ->VIDEO , that with Ray Drummond on the bass and Alvin Queen on the drums confirms to us that this is a place of authentic luxury… for everybody (the entrance is free) In other cities this kind of concerts are only for special members, and here we are about 70 current citizens, waiting to see more galactic musicians to improvise good jazz. It’s 2:30 and Mr. Mathews says that’s enough for today, despite there are some musicians looking for their chance. We will return tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY, July 12th

I will begin my chronicle by the end, with the gift that Wynton Marsalis gave to us ->VIDEO , nearly at 4 in the morning in the Hotel’s jam session, playing between the public: pure jazz in its pure context. Furthermore, he had previously given us this other gift ->VIDEO . The night had been going hotter, with Ronnie Mathews giving the chance to all the Lincoln at Center Jazz Orchestra masters, who had played at the main venue before, and now they had token off their uniform and were more relaxed. Don’t you know what is a duel of trumpets? See it in this >VIDEO . And how squeeze the trumpet? Watch this other ->VIDEO . And a great saxo solo->VIDEO . Without uniform, scores nor fastenings, musicians were passing by the small scene. Shortly before, in another hotel venue, Steve Tyrell shelled his voice accompanied by a Lincoln Center’s trumpet ->VIDEO . At the end of the night, this is a peregrination place for the musicians who have filled the city with their talent, each one in their style, like Ultrasimulation ->VIDEO , that infects with their Brazil-electrojazz all the week the RIO pub.

At this point, we almost don’t remember that we began the night in Mendizorrotza, in the official section, enjoying with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln at Center Jazz Orchestra , a big bang with 15 musicians, playing the 12 movements of the complex SUITE VITORIA, composed to celebrate the 30 years of this Festival.

THURSDAY, July 13th

We begin our nocturnal tour by the city, visiting our friends Tren Nocturno ->VIDEO , an Enrique Loyola’s group, playing at El 7 restaurant, with the great Georgian violinist Nika Bitchiashvili. As today is Thursday and the multiples venues with live music are jammed, we go early to the Canciller Ayala Hotel to verify how Steve Tyrell ->VIDEO and his band are growing day by day. Today doesn’t seem that is going to have a jam session on the veteran Ronnie Mathews’ stage ->VIDEO , so we can appreciate his great quality and the one of Ray Drummond’s bass and Alvin Queen’s drums ->VIDEO .

This week, in opposite to the rest of the year, the live musical offer is wider and with several styles: we finish the night in the CIRCULO Club listening to Junk, an group of Ian Bairnson, founder of Alan Parson’s Project ->VIDEO.

FRIDAY, July 14th

The city is crazy. We have up to 15 simultaneous live concerts starting from 9 to 12 pm, apart from official section in Principal Theatre and Mendizorrotza Pavilion. This is a hardly 230000 inhabitants city, and this week becomes a musical paradise. Local group Steamboat Jazz Band->VIDEO plays in El Candil pub, where they were accompanied by New Orleans’ New Birth Brass Band . While Michel Camilo and Tomatito played versions of tangos in Mendizorrotza, Poetango->VIDEO played them in El 7 restaurant. Vanguard Board Quintet ->VIDEO performed in World Music pub, while in The Man in the Moon Café, we could find Sugus Quitet ->VIDEO , with a contemporary jazz, played by the great pianist Marta Sanchez and the inspired local baterist Hasier Oleaga.

We finish the night, why not, at Canciller Ayala Hotel, where today’s jam sessions is becoming hot, with New York’s Juilliard School teachers. They have been teaching in a seminar all week, and tireless playing, we are enjoying excellent piano solos->VIDEO ; saxo->VIDEO , trumpet->VIDEO , another saxo solo->VIDEO ; trombon->VIDEO ; the great Terell Stafford trumpet solos->VIDEO ; to finish all together ->VIDEO . But, insatiable, they wanted more, and without lights neither microphones they continued in an authentic after jam ->VIDEO , cheering up other musicians to play with them, as yesterday finally happened with a public of 20, really very late in the morning. But, today, they have shared with all of you that have been reading until here.

SATURDAY, July 16th

The Festival arrives at its end, with the mythical Sonny Rollins in Mendizorrotza, and the untiring professors of the Juilliard School of New York in Teatro Principal. The nocturnal supply of live concerts has descended enough, although we can still listen to Sugus Quintet in the Man in the Moon pub, and to Steve Tyrell and Ronnie Mathews' last night in the Hotel, with whom we say goodbye with this blues >VIDEO.

We are tired of the nocturnal work of this week, but happy to have so much and so good music in house. These 30 years of the Jazz Festival have extended the musical culture of which we attended to its concerts: musicians and DJs of different styles and tendencies attend the Festival, and that note later in the musical quality of their proposals - the local group Ortophonk- sees itself like example. And no longer is strange to find concerts of live jazz in the city during the year, with local or foreign musicians, even in the most alternative venues. Because there are only two types of music: the good and the bad one. The sort is secondary.

The parade took place inside the Old Water Tank of Vitoria-Gasteiz (currently a Cultural Center), where the vertical columns, screens and models were joining one each other.

See a Photo sequence HERE .

Finally, a simbolic filling of the silo (see video HERE ), with special effects and the singular illumination designed by Javier Ulla, who had more than 50000 W of lighting, finished off a magical morning. 200 people enjoyed an unique occasion –the silo will be next filled up with 45000 Tm of clinker – and a welcoming space, by the peculiar stage designed and made by Javier Larreina.

Thanks to all the companies that took part in the act, and to all personnel of Cementos Rezola, for their great disposition and their help to make this tribute to all those that made these facilities.

PHOTO1 : main vista of the space dedicated to the public, full light, reinforced by 20 mirrors.

PHOTO2 : detail of the dome of the silo in the beginning of the symbolic filling, from 43 meters height. (frame of the previous VIDEO )

STAFF begins its tour on April 21th in Elorrio; on April 22th in Valladolid; on May 6^th in Vilafranca del Penedés, and on May 11^th to 14^th in Mercat de les Flors in Barcelona.

We had the help of Video Art students, like extras and assistants in different shooting areas.

LA SOMBRA can be watched HERE . We participated in Notodofilmfest05 , compressing the story to 3 minutes and 5 Mbytes. Thanks to all the collaborators, and to RmsOnce by his special music.