It was like standing in line to get on a plane to warm, welcoming Cuba at the Bonnington for the Jan. 30 Luis Mario Ochoa Quintet show. Winter’s refugees came from all over the valley to catch the warmth and sunny vibrations, and the excitement was palpable. From the nearly newly born to elders in our communities, everyone was ready to soak up some world music sounds.
This is the first time the Arrow Lakes Arts Council has had what is known as world music, and it was a real treat. The band was fronted by Luis Mario Ochoa himself, a radiant and charming man. His wit and humour engaged the audience between songs, and his voice filled the hall with passion and rich song.
The music itself wasn’t all Cuban, but was instead a collection of songs from latin america. Peruvian ballads were played, and rhumbas, and much much more.
The quintet were excellent players, giving each other room to flex their musical muscles. And there were some incredible muscles to be heard. A drummer, a percussionist, an upright bass player and a piano rounded out the sound, each taking his turn filling the space with beautiful rhythms.
The audience was enraptured; it was hard not to get up and dance to the seductive sounds, and there was some serious chair dancing happening. If this is what happens when the world visits town, let’s start sending out invitations now!
After the musicians were done, Nakusp couldn’t let them go, standing for one encore, then another.
At last, with every drop of pleasure squeezed from the night, the enchanted listeners filed out into the warm winter evening, their hearts filled with the passion and joy of the music.
