Tomas Fujiwara: Dream Up at Gulbenkian

Tomas Fujiwara, one of the most active and creative members of the New York jazz scene, brings his percussion quartet Dream Up to Lisbon's Gulbenkian Garden Amphitheatre. The ensemble, featuring Ches Smith on vibraphone and percussion, Kaoru Watanabe on taiko drums and Japanese flutes, and Kweku Sumbry on djembe, balafon, and ngoni, explores a wide sonic palette that includes the African ngoni and the Japanese shinobue flute.

Fujiwara's compositions have been praised for building a bridge between Max Roach's M'Boom percussion ensemble and the vibraphone gems of Bobby Hutcherson from the 1960s and 70s. Critics highlight his rhythmic intelligence, dazzling virtuosity, and fearless imagination, as he both honors diverse traditions and pursues an innovative perspective. This open-air concert in the Gulbenkian gardens promises a unique evening of boundary-pushing jazz.