Live Review: Taisha Estrada, AMP by Strathmore
DC is a more international town than most. Maybe that’s why we’re blessed with so many musicians versed in world-music cultures. AMP, the most recent addition to Strathmore’s concert spaces, has a strong history of supporting world-music, and presenting local artists in their sophisticated, state-of-the-art, glass-walled venue.
Taisha Estrada was a perfect fit for the venue, presenting a stunning show of all-original, mainly Spanish language originals. A finalist in the Ella Fitzgerald International Vocal Jazz competition and a graduate of George Mason University’s prestigious vocal jazz program, Taisha’s gorgeous voice is perfect for her dramatic compositions, sensitively arranged and played by the band.
Taisha is, proudly, Puerto Rican born and though she performs in multiple contexts playing rock, RnB, and jazz, she shone in this version presenting her own music. As composer, arranger, bandleader and vocalist there are no compromises, and there’s nowhere to hide. She’s clearly reveling in the role, interpreting each song in voice and with her physical presence on stage. Honestly, what a voice! Note perfect, beautiful tone, expressive, dynamic. That voice alone is enough to get excited about, but Taisha brings the full-package to the stage with this beautifully crafted songwriting.
In addition to giving us a tour of the Latin American continent and its many styles, Taisha presented two originals which sounded convincingly like they were written in the jazz era. Summer Love a piano-led, jazz ballad evoked the smoky, 1950’s jazz club vibe inhabited by vocalists like Julie London or Eartha Kitt. Broken hearts and feigned indifference as love passes by, declaring “summer is a bore”. Meanwhile, her Latin compositions explore wide ranging themes of abuse, or generations of limitations for women, as well as lighter meditations on beach-times and joy.
From the upbeat opening of Pa'Que? the band slid into a moody, tango feel for La Texture de Ti, introduced by a virtuoso bass solo by T.J.Turqman. From there on, the set was full of nuance and flavor. Cristian Perez switched from his trade-mark, 7-string nylon acoustic to a high strung cavaquino like guitar, and then to electric to suit the changing flavors; even adding slide guitar for an almost Latin-surf music feel on Atardecer. Lucas Ashby, true to his Brazilian roots, captured every groove on drums, exchanging drum-kit for Brazilian pandeiro in Latigazos. James Fernando was ever-inventive on piano, throughout, shape-shifting through the piano-jazz stylings of Summer Love, and powering the syncopated Cuban montuno feel for the set-closer Zumbate.
Taisha’s show is one of a series of performances and workshops she is performing as a Strathmore Artist in Residence. The program is a year-long professional development and performance opportunity for six DC area musicians, which over the years has built a community of musicians who regularly collaborate and support each, other despite their genre-diversity on selection for the program. The program was well represented on stage with former alumni Perez (guitar), Ashby (drums), and Fernando (piano). Their international backgrounds as well as their instrumental prowess is a testament to the program selection process and the richness of the DC music community.
Given Taisha Estrada’s multiple, musical incarnations it’s fair to ask "who is the real Taisha?" Maybe this might be the definitive version? Only time will tell. These songs are begging to be recorded, please let’s do that! Until then your only chance to hear them will be to get yourself to a live show, and that’s not a bad option with performers as compelling as this.
Taisha Estrada’s 2023 release Nostalgia Ajena features her original, Spanish language compositions. For more info check out Taisha’s website