| Jazz |
Sanah has produced, recorded, or shared the stage with the legendary Kirk Lightsey (Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker), Philip Harper (Art Blakey), Ed Cherry (Dizzy Gillespie), Mark Whitfield (Herbie Hancock), Jon Baptiste, Joe Locke, Nicholas Payton, Frank Lacy (The Jazz Messengers), Mike Stern, Pat Bianchi, Joel Frahm, Roy Hargrove, Jeremy Pelt, Johnny O’Neal, Jazzmeia Horn, Ronnie Foster, among many others. If you are not yet familiar with this musician, you will likely want to take an interest.
An excellent composer, influenced by her Lebanese origins and living in Canada, the album “Duality” is very surprising. One could almost speak of a jazz-opera, given the intense construction of the pieces that make up this work, supported by impressive musicians: Stacy Dillard – Soprano Saxophone (1-9), Rachel Therrien – Flugelhorn (1,2,4,5,6,9) Trumpet (7), Virginia MacDonald – Clarinet (1,2,3,4,7,9), Joanna Majoko – Vocals (1,3,4,5,6,7,9), Michael King – Piano (1-9) Rhodes & Organ (9), Jonathan Michel – Upright (1,3,4,5,6,8) Electric Bass (2,7,9), Parham Haghighi – Vocals (1,3,7), Flavio Silva – Guitar (9), Sanah Kadoura – Drums, Compositions (1-9) BG Vocals (9). One enters this work as one enters a theater, listening intensely, emotions rushing, and the fact that Sanah is an excellent drummer adds to the construction of “Duality” without ever being redundant or tiresome.
The reason is simple: Sanah’s playing is closer to that of a percussionist than a drummer. She sends rhythmic tones that are just perfect to accompany a particular theme, instrument, or voice. With structures from “classical” music, a hint of World Music, and embedded jazz themes that develop infinitely, this album is a concept that can be listened to endlessly. One remains fascinated by the compositions and arrangements; pleasant surprises abound. It takes several listens to uncover all the subtlety, I would even say the wisdom.
After living in New York for a decade, Sanah Kadoura quickly established herself as a leading drummer and inventive composer. Kadoura approaches her music with a special approach, a rare musicality that infuses melody and nuance into every rhythmic refrain. While Hawk Eyes intrigued and excited audiences with Kadoura’s sound, “Duality” solidifies the artist’s position as one of the leading creative drummers and composers on the modern jazz scene, telling a story of hope and resilience. “As we all navigate through our own internal balance, this album is an offering of healing, guidance, and love,” she shares. “We all have our battles, and I think it’s easier for us, as humans, to connect with each other through the darkness and find the light together.”
For all the reasons mentioned here, the editorial teams of Bayou Blue Radio and Paris-Move place this album in the “Essential” category.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, January 12th 2024
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For physical copies of Duality: Duality2023@gmail.com