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Borislav Strulev and Friends:
Russian Jazz Improvisation
www.borislavstrulev.com
At
The JCC in Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10023
www.jccmanhattan.org
Featuring:
Borislav Strulev on Cello
Leonid Loginov Katz on Piano
Yana Manovskaya on Piano
Mikhail Svetlov on Vocals
Dmitri Slepovitch on Clarinet
Astrid Steiner on Video
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
February 5, 2009
(See a CD Review of Borislav Strulev)
In a diverse yet themed, casual yet elegant, and virtuosic yet improvisational evening of Russian Jazz, Borislav Strulev, a rising star in the field of jazz cello, led an ensemble of Russian musicians for an incredibly entertaining evening at Manhattan’s JCC. The backdrop was an artistic video, comprised of Russian scenes…here a park bench, there the sea, here a bridge, there a woman…created by Astrid Steiner, and I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this visual artist in the years to come. On the stage was an ever-shifting duo, trio, or ensemble, even a Klezmer clarinet soloist, all talented in the genres of contemporary jazz and Russian folk music.
Borislav Strulev, on cello, joined Leonid Loginov Katz, on piano, for improvisational swing-infused jazz, with dissonance and interior string effects. Intermittently, Yana Manovskaya took a more melodic, subdued turn on the keyboard. Mikhail Svetlov has a fully trained operatic voice, and his Russian songs brought accolades from the audience. He had dynamic presence with an impassioned style. Dmitri Slepovitch was one of my favorites, with infectious, ethnic charisma, as he filled the auditorium with traditional Russian themes. Highlights included (besides the captivating videos) Borislav Strulev’s rapturous performance of Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise”, also reviewed on his CD, Leonid Loginov Katz’s rambunctious New Orleans rhythms, Yana Manovskaya’s refined keyboard style, Mikhail Svetlov’s deep, undulating vocals, especially in Tchaikovsky’s “No Other Love”, and Dmitri Slepovitch’s Russian clarinet incantations. Fine Russian Vodka was served at intermission, and the evening ended with “Hava Nagila” (Let Us Rejoice); after all, this was the JCC.
Borislav Strulev Greets the Guests,
Astrid Steiner Video Backdrop
Russian Jazz Guests
at the JCC in Manhattan
Borislav Strulev on Cello
Leonid Loginov Katz on Piano,
Mikhail Svetlov on Vocals,
Borislav Strulev on Cello
Leonid Loginov Katz on Piano,
Mikhail Svetlov on Vocals
Dmitri Slepovitch on Clarinet,
Borislav Strulev on Cello
Yana Manovskaya on Piano
Yana Manovskaya on Piano,
Borislav Strulev on Cello,
Astrid Steiner Video Backdrop
Leonid Loginov Katz on Piano,
Dmitri Slepovitch on Clarinet,
Borislav Strulev on Cello
Russian Vodka Table
Astrid Steiner, Videographer
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