Regardless of a person’s musical background, everyone gains something from the experience of seeing and hearing live music. Musicians take the opportunity to examine their role models and analyze their performance technique. The way that a musician touches their instrument, the technical changes that they make during a song, and the physical cues between band members all influence the musical results - the only way that a musician can learn these things is by watching a performance. General audience members get a chance to become closer to musicians that they admire. The artist’s facial expressions, the way that they interact with the audience, and their overall attitude towards performance shapes the audience member’s perception of that artist. When anyone experiences a live concert, their understanding of that artist expands tremendously and their grasp on the music grows.

I saw Cachao perform several times over the course of the last 15 years, and it was always an exhilarating experience. Even at his advanced age, he maintained an aggressively physical relationship with his bass, treating it like a drum. He hit it, slapped it, and tapped it, always taking the opportunity to turn it into a percussion instrument. His bow always stayed with him, allowing him to play Arco lines with the finesse of a classical musician or use it as a drumstick on his strings. Cachao showed outstanding range, musically, dynamically, and stylistically, and his knowledge of the music always guided his performance. Every time that I experienced a Cachao concert, he performed with such authority, driving the ensemble with his powerful playing and vocal cues. Regardless of the setting, Cachao always performed with such joy and a strong sense of humor. He enjoyed the musicians in his group and reveled in the mere fact that he got to perform Cuban music. The Cachao concerts that I experienced challenged me as a bassist, broadened my horizons as a musician, and deepened my dedication to Latin Jazz

These two videos bring some of that Cachao magic that I experienced to our screens. This concert followed a presentation of an honorary PhD to Cachao and placed him with a group of student musicians. Although young, these musicians were trained by one of Latin Jazz’s great educators, bassist Oscar Stagnaro. They obviously have spent extensive time with the tradition, and they value the chance to share the stage with Cachao. The students play at a high level, and Cachao treats them like seasoned veterans, performing with all his normal enthusiasm. He pushes the band, entertains the audience, and even has some fun taking a scat solo. In every way, these videos showcase classic Cachao, giving these students a memory that will stay with them forever.

Although a film still can’t replace that experience of a concert, at least it brings us closer to the artist. Enjoy!

Student Group Performing With Cachao - Part 1

Student Group Performing With Cachao - Part 2

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