Thursday, September 17, 1992
The Collegian
Yesterday afternoon the Logan
Wintergarden Series presented the
Vacca/Moran jazz trio in concert.
"What we play has a real
accessible quality. As soon as
people hear it, our music beats a
path right into their hearts,” says
Tim Moran. He feels that this
quote expresses everything that he
is trying to portray with his music.
"Our music is about 'right here and
now,' but we also recognize that the
diversity of American music today
is the result of a confluence of
cultures whose origins are spread
across this planet,” says Moran.
Tony Vacca traveled to Africa in
1972. He traveled for about six or
seven months. " I saw and heard a
lot. I was fortunate to meet some
really good players and I learned all
I could. When I returned, I brought
a balafon with me. After that I
made six more trips, about one a
year, and I brought more
instruments back with me," he said.
Now, Tony Vacca and Tim
Moran have been together for about
fifteen years. They've traveled to
many places, been in festivals and
concerts, and they've even had some
of their music in films. They have
recorded with many legendary
people. Two of these musicians
were legendary trumpeter, Don
Cherry and Foda Musa Susa, a
musician from Gambia, West
Vacca/Moran Jazz
Africa.
Both Vacca and Moran attend the
University of Massachusets. Each
attended the university at different
times. Moran became interested in
Indian music at college. Especially
a type called 'raga system’. "It made
me interested to try something
different , something new, " says
Moran. Moran further says "it is
hard adjust to the 'balafon' because
it's not tuned to the same scale
most people associate with
Western Music."
They met at Vacca's African Art
Gallery. Vacca had opened this
Gallery to support his trips to
Africa. They've been playing
together ever since. Their music
has a polyrhythmic beat. This is a
beat where two different beats are
combined. This is exactly like the
beat for most of our rock music.
You can really feel the music while
it's being played.
The Vacca /Moran trio has a
new release album from Columbia
records. The album is Dance
Beneath The Diamond SXy The
Vacca /Moran Jazz trio was
sponsored by the Logan Music at
Noon Series playing in the
Wintergarden. The Logan
Wintergarden Series is sponsored by
the Harry A. Logan Jr. Foundation.
The next concert is next month. I
hope to see you there!
The Collegian
All Photos b
Andrew D. Festa
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