Daahoud Salim Quintet- 14/8/2025
While the sun sets on the horizon… on August 14th begins one of the most deeply symbolic concerts at Cable Inglés. The quintet of Daahoud Salim is here to take us on a journey through time, space, jazz, and the senses. All the musicians play with an expressiveness, demonstrativeness and euphoria, which strengthens the connection between them but also with the audience. The sudden pauses followed by dynamic melody changes dominate most pieces, giving the listener a sense of surprise. The forte alternates with the piano, the fast with the slow, and these alternations in dynamics are what I really enjoy to hear. The audience watches with great attention applauding enthusiastically and still, in more melodic pieces, many listeners sing the tunes!
The first thing I notice is the pianist. He moves his whole body to the rhythm, his fingers flying across the keys, as if the notes push him to jump out from within him. Also, the trumpet and trombone solos are impressive. The wind instruments give their best interpreting each note quickly and decisively. Especially in the piece “Bon appetit”, where both the trombone and the trumpet have fast leading points, they remind of the glutton who wants to fit everything on one plate. Also, the percussion, with the change in rhythms, and the use of the mallet, change the style of the pieces and add intensity at the right moments. Finally, the double bass, which usually accompanies discreetly, here imposes its presence with clear, varied melodies. The bow solo stands out. Melodies that emit an air of mystery and perhaps shivers of fear. But above all… anxiety about where the piece will end. The solo, mainly in the lower register, evokes an elderly person who seems to advise you as the melody slows and becomes more serious.
The game of Question-Answer is used skillfully for one more concert, in the last piece (“Y así todo”). The pianist, guide of the audience, this time however with a different way than I have observed… Divides the audience in half calling with a nod the spectators to sing and the others to answer with some other tune.
From pieces that impressed me… each has such a different story… such a nice transfer of meanings and feelings into melodies… From wars for mineral wealth… to the importance of motherly love or the value of simple everyday things… The pianist, and composer, uses narration, sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, to say a few words about each while accompanied by a musical carpet of double bass.
The piece “Historia del tiempo” begins with the pianist, in a dreamy introduction under the sounds of the double bass to talk about stars and planets and to invite people to imagine how they exist for thousands of years… The melodies start gently, and gradually more notes begin to be added forming increasingly complex patterns, as if depicting the evolution of species through time. The trombone and trumpet succeed the pianist’s solos and then… the instruments fade with the piano last… Perhaps implying the end of the world… where time loses its meaning and everything is silent… A touching moment was also the piece “En Rosario”, which the pianist dedicated to his mother. It begins with piano and is sweet and playful. Then comes the double bass with its strict but beautiful manner. After the discreet drums, the wind instruments enter, in a quiet, advisory tune, which expresses care, concern. The trumpet, so fast as it plays… perhaps resembles… how a mother gives her advice. The style calms. It is as if the music itself embraces you. And as I listen… I get emotional… Another special moment of the evening was the piece “El treno de las próximas víctimas de la guerra del Coltán” which was written for the war because of the mineral, which differs greatly from the others of the evening. Its introduction is the pianist, who hits rhythmically a metal bell, while one of the wind instruments sings a song perhaps likening the people who sang while doing the hard work to extract the coveted mineral and then… died for it.
And when the last notes sound… you let the music drip inside you… You think of this magical journey full of contrasts and feelings that led you from story to story and you feel grateful for the musicians who honored you with their music… Warm congratulations and good luck in the next concerts!
Review by Zoi Michailidou
Photos by Emilia Studnicka
