CONCERT REVIEW: ‘SILÁ TRÍO’ AT CHIC CLUB, VALENCIA (13 NOVEMBER)

Silá Trío’s performance at Chic Club on 13 November was memorable for its musical intimacy, technical finesse, emotional ability to transmit and the transformative power of shared artistic history. True to the meaning of their name—silá, a word of Arabic/Turkish origin evoking connection, purity of bond, and close relationship—the trio delivered a concert defined by deep rapport and an unspoken understanding that can only emerge from true musical companionship.

The ensemble—singer-songwriter Ester Andújar, pianist Albert Palau, and guitarist Joan Soler—brought together three of the most distinctive voices in the Valencian music scene. Their collective vision blends Brazilian song, jazz language, and original composition, but what truly stands out is the cohesiveness of their approach: interaction is not a feature but the foundation.

Ester’s vocal presence was both lyrical and fearless. Her phrasing in “Por Toda Minha Vida” unfolded with emotional precision, while her singing on “Dat Dere” paid playful homage to Bobby Timmons without ever feeling derivative. Her ability to move organically from tenderness to rhythmic vitality kept the audience engaged and the music alive. She must be one of the best ‘scat’ singers in the region too!

Albert Palau provided the harmonic spine of the evening. His comping was rich and imaginative, constantly shifting the palette beneath Ester and Joan without overshadowing them. In pieces like Ralph Towner’s “I Knew It Was You,” his touch balanced sophistication with spontaneity, offering moments of unexpected beauty that fueled the trio’s dialogue.

Joan Soler, meanwhile, tied the sound together with his unmistakable warmth and expressive depth. His guitar work—particularly in his own composition “Seven Reasons to Leave Your Lover”—was marked by nuance, impeccable timbre, and a deep sense of narrative. His interplay with Ester in “Cantor da Noite” and with Albert in “Black Nile” demonstrated not only technical mastery but an almost telepathic connection with his bandmates.

The set list traced a journey through iconic Brazilian composers (Jobim, Milton Nascimento), foundational jazz figures (Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter), and original material, all delivered with a delicacy that never sacrificed intensity. “Oceano” and “Tristeza” were especially evocative, drawing the room into the quiet poetry of the trio’s sound world.

What distinguished this concert was not just the repertoire or the musicianship, but the atmosphere Silá Trío created: intimate, vibrant, warm and profoundly attentive. Every detail was shaped with care; every improvisation felt purposeful. Chic Club’s close setting amplified the effect, allowing the audience to feel not like spectators but participants in an ongoing conversation between three artists who genuinely listen to one another.

‘Silá Trío’ stands out by reaffirming something essential: music is at its most powerful when rooted in connection. On this November night in Valencia, that connection was unmistakable—pure, resonant, and moving too. This is a Valencia-based music project with a promising future, both live and hopefully on record too. Thank you to Shyamala for making these very special jazz concerts at ‘Chic Club’ possible.

Report by Will McCarthy