Jazz In Marciac 2022 kicked off Friday night with a superb concert. On the main stage, two voices took center stage. First, that of Dominique Fils-Aimé, a rising star of vocal jazz from Quebec, her arms laden with four albums and a jazz nourished by her family roots in Haiti, at the crossroads of both sides of the Atlantic, of Soul and Jazz. This culture permeates her jazz and her voice, which plays between depth and a touch of superficiality, giving the illusion of not taking things too seriously. All of this was delivered with an energy that drew the audience into her world, accompanied by top-notch musicians: Étienne Miousse on guitar, David Osei-Afrifa on keyboards, Danny Trudeau on bass, and especially Salin Cheewapansri on drums. The hour-and-a-half set gave ample space to Dominique Fils-Aimé's voice and to the guitar and drum solos. With the usual faux encores and a genuine one brought to a standing ovation by the audience.
After the soulful voice of Dominique Fils-Aimé, the deep, resonant voice of Diana Krall. An hour and a half of musical bliss. It was impeccable, even if it lacked surprises, except for the improbable red dress. Rereading what we wrote 12 years ago when she was already opening Jazz In Marciac, it feels like we're talking about Friday night's concert. In an hour and a half of concert with a quartet, she offered us a beautiful immersion in sounds full of both sweetness and energy. Powerful moments, and tender moments, like the piece dedicated to her two children whom she left at home to go on tour. A true musical delight that culminates in a dynamic rendition of Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek," which combines guitar solos by Anthony Wilson, double bass, drums by Karriem Riggins, piano, and the voice of Diana Krall singing "Heaven, I'm in heaven, and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak." Put like that, it's easy to believe in this paradise for jazz lovers!
