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Confederation Park was the home to legendary Herbie Hancock with his Grammy awarded Album “River: The Joni Letters”. The lyrics from the album “River” were written by Canadian artist Joni Mitchell. Herbie Hancock graced the stage with two fantastic vocalists, Sonya Kitchell and Amy Keys. Sonya Kitchell’s sound is a cross between Norah Jones, Ella Fitzgerald & Joni Mitchell. While Amy Keys a sound not unlike Tina Turner and Christina Aguilera.
There was definitely no lack of genius musical talent last night! Herbie Hancock was accompanied by Dave Holland on Bass, Chris Potter on Saxophone, Vinnie Colaiuta on Percussion and
Lionel Loueke on Guitar.

Listening to Grammy Award winner Herbie Hancock’s “River: The Joni Letters” is like looking at a painting that hasn’t dried. It was Miles Davis who once told Hancock to “never finish anything” when Hancock played alongside Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams in Davis legendary group in the early ’60s.

“River” focuses on the earthiness of Joni Mitchell’s lyrics interpreted by a plethora of varied vocalist. Tina Turner, Leonard Cohen, Norah Jones, and even Mitchell herself all intone exquisitely while Hancock assumes a reverent neutrality.

Herbie Hancock paid a beautiful homage to Joni Mitchell’s eloquent lyrics. Opening the show with the title track from the Album “The River” entitled River, performed by Sonya Kitchell. Then followed by a power-house performance by Amy Keys performing When Love Came to Town from the Album “Possibilities”.

The solo performances by Dave Holland, Herbie Hancock and Lionel Loueke were worth the price of admission alone. Dave Holland’s fingers danced across the strings integrating contemporary aesthetics to traditional jazz. Then briefly accompanied by Herbie Hancock for a rare treat . Herbie Hancock’s solo was meditative, taking lengthy solitary pauses of contemplation. Herbie Hancock succeeded in expanding the public vision of what music, particularly jazz, is all about today. Lionel Loueke’s guitar solo definitely blew me away! Herbie Hancock, even referred to him as the “Secret Weapon”! His background in acoustic, Afro-beat and Jazz was extreamly well received by the audience. People jumped from their lawn chairs and starting to sway to the beat.

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