On a warm summer evening in Valencia, the cosy and atmospheric venue ‘Mar D’Armura’ played host to an enchanting jazz performance by the ‘Sara Dowling Quartet’. The ensemble, led by the remarkable award-winning jazz vocalist Sara Dowling, delivered an intimate and emotionally rich concert that resonated deeply with the audience.
Line-up:
- Sara Dowling – Vocals
- Dario Di Lecce – Double Bass
- Manuel Hammerlink –Guitar
- Voro Garcia – Trumpet
Setlist Highlights:
- The Song Is You
- I Hear a Rhapsody
- April in Paris
- O Bêbado e a Equilibrista
- Falling in Love with Love
- Você Já Foi à Bahia?
From the first notes of “The Song Is You,” it was evident that the quartet shared a unique musical chemistry. Sara Dowling’s voice, simultaneously powerful and tender, glided effortlessly through the standards, infusing each phrase with personal expression and rhythmic nuance. Her interpretation of ‘April in Paris’ was particularly evocative, blending melancholy with hope, and drawing the audience into the heart of the song.
Manuel Hammerlink’s guitar work provided a rich harmonic foundation, full of lyrical phrasing and subtle groove, while Dario Di Lecce’s superb double bass offered both rhythmic drive and warm, resonant tone. Voro Garcia’s trumpet added colour and lyrical flair throughout the night, soaring melodically on ‘I Hear a Rhapsody’ and contributing a poignant solo on ‘O Bêbado e a Equilibrista’.
The setlist reflected an elegant balance between American jazz standards and Brazilian repertoire, with Dowling showing remarkable vocal agility and emotional depth on the João Gilberto-influenced ‘Você Já Foi à Bahia?’ Her performance of ‘O Bêbado e a Equilibrista’ was another standout moment—both a tribute and a deeply personal statement, handled with grace and intimacy. Of Palestinian and Irish parents, Sara also delivered a heartfelt a cappella remembering the Palestinian people and all that they have lived through… and are suffering now.
Throughout the evening, the quartet maintained a fluid interplay that kept the atmosphere both relaxed and deeply engaging. Their communication was subtle but constant, with each musician responding intuitively to the others, creating a cohesive and organic sound.
In conclusion, the Sara Dowling Quartet delivered a memorable and soul-stirring performance at Mar D’Armura. It was a night of expressive storytelling through music, blending technical excellence with heartfelt delivery. For those in attendance, it was a shared emotional journey, and a testament to the enduring power of live jazz in an intimate setting.
Special mention to organizer and shaker maker Shyamala who organizes all of these memorable concerts in ‘Mar D’Amura’ and ‘Las Arenas’. Many thanks to her selfless hard work in helping the fertile live jazz scene in Valencia grow over the last year. A talented vocalist herself, with the quartet backing her, Shayamala treated the audience to a warm and beautifully sung version of ‘Give Me the Simple Life’, a standard made famous by Ella Fitzgerald. Following this, another one of Sara Dowling’s students joined the stage for an adventurous take on ‘My Funny Valentine’ in 6/8 time. It really gelled, as the song developed, with the singer really transmitting the emotion, nuances and meaning of this immortal standard.
Born in the Mississippi, American singer Cindy Scott and her partner Brian on guitar were also given a spot to play a song at this concert. A tearful Cindy dedicated the classic ‘Una Historia de un Amor’ to her late mother and it was deeply felt moment where time seemed to stand still…making everyone aware of our mortality and how important it is to enjoy the moments we share with others before they pass on.
This was a truly memorable gig with some very talented musicians and an appreciative audience too. Do not miss the next concert at Mar D’Amura on Friday, 18th July featuring ‘Juan Saus Quartet with Latino Blanco’ at 19h. It’s the final concierto de jazz of the season… before the summer break… and promises to be a special and festive event!
Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team
Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
Photo copyright ’24/7 Valencia’
MAR D’AMURA
C/Progrés, 159
Tel: 96 122 73 24
Zona Cabanyal
46011
Valencia
More Info: https://www.instagram.com/mardamura/?hl=es
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