Banquet of the Spirits
The upcoming meeting with the Brian Marsella in Sarajevo takes us back to the music that he has created throughout the years, and to an old album from Banquet of the Spirits, led by Cyro Baptista. There are very few people in the contemporary world, that tell a story with music – no, they do not take you into their world of depression or joy, they don’t take you through their break up or sorrow. They just tell a story. And they tell it to you, as if you are reading a book – no extra musical knowledge is necessary – everything is so three or four dimensional, that it immediately carries you away. Full, positive, stylish, and deep. The lightness of presenting a story always requires good knowledge of the material – otherwise it is impossible. With Cyro Baptista, the magic is alive. Magic is like air, full of positive bubbles. And they spread great energy and joy. So bright, so refreshing, and taking you to another, magical world. On another side – powerful and serious. Each meeting with his music is a journey – as if you have travelled far, far away. And every ending carries the thought of the next meeting. Magical, universal, it comes as no surprise that in a comment Banquet of the Spirits get called otherworldly. They are as far away from the cannon as possible.
Banquet of the Spirits is a multi-instrumentalist orchestra, that has gathered jazz musicians of the world, from Brazil, the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Japan, among other places. Banquet of the Spirits are an organism, who’s only task is to create music. Their common thought cannot leave you uninvolved. And to surprise you every time.
A couple of words about the quartet – Cyro Baptista on percussions, and everything that involves this kind of drums, and also on vocals; Tim Keiper on drums, bassist Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz, and of course - keyboard player Brian Marsella.
A small side note – their concert last year. Sarajevo was one oft he most charging experiences that we have ever witnessed. And I sincerily hope that there are more meetings with them in the future. We are not saying that the contemporary world is shot on ideas, but fairytales don’t happen in real life that often.
The music from Banquet of the Spirits and Cyro Baptista is like spinning the globe on Google Maps, and to zoom in on places, that you find interesting. Before you let go it is two dimentional, but once you zoom in, with each following song, things get so colourful, you did not expect. You get the same surprise as with Street view and images of distant places. You look at Brazil from above, you zoom in, and you see the favelas. You look at Marrakech on the map – once you zoom in you are on the central square Jemaa el-Fna. This is what this music is like.
Colourful carpets and palm forests, street traffic and Amazonian jungle – this music is a 3D look on the world. It brings together our small-big world in a globe. It took us all around. Enjoy the journey with Banquet of the Spirits, and a very special live. You listen to the album in just one breath.
October 2019
Photo © MA
