CD ‘Jazz Meets Classic’: Bernabela / Tamura: 21 november

Zaterdagmiddag 21 november, 16 uur wordt de eerste CD van het piano-saxofoon duo Naomi Tamura en Delbert Bernabela in Geelvinck gepresenteerd: ‘Jazz meets Classic’. Bernabela, een van de bekendste jazz saxofonisten in de Caribbeans en Latijns Amerika speelt met de Japanse pianiste Naomi Tamura natuurlijk jazz, naast Caraïbische folk, tango en klassiek èn eigen composities. Lezers van de Geelvinck Nieuwsbrief zijn ook van harte welkom! Graag opgeven: mailto: info@bernamusic.nl. Op 28 november treden zij op in de Schouwburg Almere

 

About the album ‘Jazz meets Classic’

Tenor saxophonist Delbert Bernabela, designated as one of the pioneers of Aruban jazz fusion, teams up with classical piano sensation Naomi Tamura. Together they present this recording of well-known jazz, classical and originals. A mixture of jazz and folk ranging from Mozart, Chopin, Thelonious Monk , Rufo Wever and an original by Delbert, ‘Two Worlds’. The material on the album is conversant with the blues and filled with minor surprises. It’s Naomi’s first venture into jazz and she plays with incredible bravura.

 

The genesis of the project.

Naomi and Delbert met during a home concert and a few weeks later Naomi invited Delbert to her housewarming party. Present were many musicians, all classical players. Delbert and Naomi performed together for the first time and talked about the blend of classical and jazz music. Soon the idea grew to work together on a project where they would try to bring the two worlds together. This was a huge challenge, not least because Delbert is a jazz player and Naomi exclusively plays classical music. They spent many hours researching, playing, writing and trying to find the right path to reach people’s hearts. Over several months everything began to fall into place and they got closer to what they were searching for. The final result of all their efforts is the album ‘Jazz meets Classic’. We hope you will enjoy the music on this album. We put our heart and soul into it and we hope that by listening to our music you will share the experience.

 

Delbert Bernabela

Delbert Bernabela was born on the island of Aruba. As a teenager he started to play the guitar and after high school he attended Berklee College of music in Boston, the USA. Initially Delbert studied for a guitar major, but later switched to flute and then saxophone. In 1984 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in professional music. Immediately after college Delbert began working in several showbands, performing in various hotels and restaurants on Aruba. Then followed performances at major jazz and music festivals in the Caribbean, the USA , Venezuela and Europe. Delbert plays a blend of jazz and Caribbean, pop and classical music.

In 2009 Delbert moved to the Netherlands where he currently lives. Living in Europe was a bit of a challenge at first, but being a versatile artist made it possible for him to adapt quickly and find his place in the Dutch music scene. In 2012 Delbert started his own music school, BernaMusic College.

Delbert has played alongside Roy Hardgrove, Kirk Whalum, Arturo Sandoval, Ron Kenoly, Paquito D’Rivera, Lucas van Merwijk, Cubop bigband and Caribbean Jam, to name but a few.

In addition, Delbert was guest soloist and orchestrator at the Dutch Swing College Band and the Dutch Wind Ensemble. He has conducted several gospel choirs and orchestras, produced jazz/latin film projects and pop events.

He has also performed on numerous occasions for the Dutch Royal family.

 

Naomi Tamura

Naomi is a Dutch pianist born in Tokyo. She came to the Netherlands in 1994 to pursue her music studies at the conservatory of Amsterdam. In 2007 Naomi received her Dutch citizenship as a recognition of her cultural involvement in the country. Nowadays Naomi’s vast music repertoire, ranging from classical to world music, takes her far beyond the borders of Europe. The performance on this album with Delbert Bernabela, is completely in the spirit of her vision on music:

‘I’m playing music from the depths of my heart’

‘All thoughts, knowledge and tradition completely disappear into the background, so that I can be truly free’