Robert Glasper and Jason Moran

It was certainly a novelty for me, that my pre gig drink should be an expresso coffee, but what could be better considering I was to see Robert Glasper and Jason Moran perform with just piano (Jason) and electric piano (Robert) at 11am on a sunny Sunday in November at the Teatro Manzoni in Milan.

It was part of the Aperitif Sunday morning concert series which may suit the ‘Milanesi’ but as for the dynamic jazz duo, I wondered if they had debated staying up all night to make the time slot, 11 o’clock being notoriously strictly pillow time for musicians.

Still, after the pianos had been given the thumb’s up by the theatre’s designated tuner, they ambled on stage; Jason, chic and suave, with grey slacks ,designer t-shirt and pork pie hat; Robert, cool and laid back in ripped jeans and worn t-shirt with woolen bubble hat.

Two pianos back to back mean that the players are pretty far away from each other, body’s hidden obviously, so any communication will have to be by head gestures and by the flick of an eye.
However Jason tends to play with his head tilted so it’s nearly resting on his hunched left shoulder, Robert with chin up eyes closed shaking his head from side to side.

With the aid of no sheet music, the only language of communication is that of the piano.

It was mesmeric watching these two guys lay down musical notes with pulsating rhythms and grooves so that from a deafening silence, harmonious sound was built up, like a painter adds form and texture to transform an empty canvas into a multicoloured almost living scenario. The crowd were just enchanted and 100minutes flew by.

Robert Glasper is a genius in my eyes, the ‘Black Radio’ albums absolutely wonderful. He is a wonderful piano player ; such warmth in his playing, caressing then cajoling the black and white keys getting the electric piano to beat as if a hot blooded living organ(ism).

Jason Moran I know less about, as an artist, but his more traditional jazz come boogie woogie playing on standard piano was enhanced by an incredible ability to create different sounds either by blocking or dampening piano strings, so it was at times strictly a percussion instrument.

Songs from their native Houston, Texas( there intuition and natural instinct for each other’s playing seemingly built on their shared heritage and roots) as well as from Chicago with odd songs and grooves, things thrown in (Everything in it’s right place/Radiohead for example).

Nearly 1pm and so time for lunch as the concert came to an end, the pair taking well deserved and repeated bows as is the theatre’s want.

Whilst most of the ‘Milanesi’ left for some pasta and wine, I sat in my seat for a little while longer, staring at the two pianos on stage, conscious of the fact that art thus expressed, is so uplifting to the spirit. This was definitely the most enchanting and delightful aperitif i had ever had, even if I was only drunk on music.

Eventually however my meandering thoughts were disturbed as my stomach began to rumble ; “ anyone for a carbonara”?