A tale of two percussionists

I guess i have a new hobby: going to a concert not to see the headliner. As Big Freedia cancelled her whole European tour, the Jazz à Vienne festival’s organizers scrambled to find a suitable replacement. Fortunately, the New Orleans Jazz Museum sponsored the creation of a new group comprising trumpeter James Andrews (Trombone Shorty’s older brother), trombonist Greg Hicks, pianist Victor Campbell, guitarist Sam Dickey, double bassist Sélène Saint-Aimé, drummer Tiss Rodriguez… and drummer Anne Paceo. Yep, that’s right, two drummers.

Anne Paceo’s talent is undeniable, but sometimes, i find her playing too perfect. It’s like listening to a math problem. Last night, though, she let loose just enough to soften her metronomic pulse. She was the deep and sharp yang to Tiss Rodriguez’s lax and floppy yin. I wrote “she’s squaring his circle” while they were engaging in their second battle of the night, a masterclass in the art of call-and-response that lasted a long time, and yet seemed far too short. When they were over, she just sat there with the widest grin i’ve ever seen. Exactly, Anne, exactly.

For his only concert in France this year, Jon Batiste came with the incredibly soulful Desz, guitarist and producer extraordinaire Nick Waterhouse, and Stay Human’s rhythm section. I’ve yet to meet someone who Batiste can’t win over, but this could have been the night, because Nêgah Santos stole the show. I’ve always liked the way she adds a subtle texture under Joe Saylor’s drums, but she revealed herself as a frontwoman in her own right with a fun rendition of Mas que nada that transported us right into the heart of São Paulo. (The sweltering heat helped.) All in all, it was a good night for percussion.

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