Antonio Lizana: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Felix Contreras, April 28, 2017 In many ways, the traditions of flamenco and jazz could not be further apart, but in the hands of a few Spanish jazz musicians, these two worlds commingle and find common ground. Antonio Lizana is one such musician, both a saxophonist and vocalist with one foot firmly planted in each tradition. As a vocalist he has mastered the Moorish, notebending improvisations that make flamenco singing so beguiling, while the fluidity of ideas he expresses as a saxophonist place him in the timehonored tradition of composing while playing. The magic of Lizana s performance behind Bob Boilen s desk happens when the two musical worlds wrap around each other, like helical strands of sonic DNA. One is no greater than the other perfect complements that point to a common African root. Oriente is available now: iTunes: Google Play: