After launching its first international extension in Doha, Jazz at Lincoln Center spread some of its New York cool to the capital last week.
In collaboration with The St Regis Abu Dhabi, the American musical institution, which is led by the trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis, hosted a three-day festival at the hotel on the Corniche with a series of performances to suit all tastes.
It kicked off on Wednesday with an exquisite midnight supper (which actually began at 9pm) that laid on fine dining accompanied by some wonderful tunes.
The evening started with a four-course meal in the dazzling Abu Dhabi suite on the 48th floor – the Wagyu beef was a standout – before guests were ushered downstairs to the St Regis Bar for a loose and intimate set by the trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, the vocalist Gregory Generet and the marimba player Christian Tamburr.
Beginning with an elegant solo take of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World, Farinacci then introduced the band who jumped straight into a selection of jazz standards. The highlight was Generet's deeply expressive take on What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?
After a family day on Thursday, where children gathered at the hotel to have a go at playing some instruments and get musical tips from the maestros, the stage was set yesterday for some more classic jazz on a breezy night at the Nation Riviera Beach Club, the exclusive leisure venue across the road from the hotel.
About 100 guests enjoyed the four-hour extravaganza, which again included dinner. Generet got the evening started with a soulful rendition of George Gershwin's Summertime, again accompanied by the talented Farinacci.
Also performing were several members of the Doha Philharmonic Orchestra and visiting New York musicians on violin, piano, bass and vibraphone. Together they delivered a rousing set mixing classics, blues and even pop songs – an instrumental version of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit was tastefully delivered.
The night – and the event – finished in style with festival encore of What a Wonderful World, this time with Generet on vocals. His vocal depth and charisma breathed new life into the old classic.
Judging by the quality and atmosphere on display, the inaugural Jazz at St Regis was an unqualified success – here’s hoping for a follow-up.
With additional reporting by Rosemary Behan
sasaeed@thenational.ae
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The White Lotus: Season three
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Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
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Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
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The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
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MATCH INFO
Barcelona v Real Madrid, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
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Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
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In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
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Cricket World Cup League Two
Teams
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
Fixtures
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Oman
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
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