Number 33 February 26, 2010

In my last blog I mentioned the great performer Angelique Kidjo.  Another amazing artist who I always try to see is the fado singer Mariza.  I first saw her several years ago, as part of the SF Jazz Festival.  Portuguese and African, tall and so commandingly beautiful, I found myself weeping at her first notes.  To my right a couple of seats over, no less a cynic than Tom Waites, was also weeping.  The ability to convey profound and complex emotions to an audience is such a gift.  Carlie Parker, Eric Clapton, Ella Fitzgerald, all have that quality.