Duda Lucena Hits the Perfect Sultry Note

By Stephanie Burt

Even though most of the people in the crowd could not understand the words being sung Tuesday evening Upstairs at McCrady's, no one seemed to mind. Everyone understands the language of love, especially when it comes to music.

The 2010 Piccolo Spoleto Festival JAC Jazz Series took a decidedly sultry turn Tuesday evening when the Duda Lucena Quartet played. This band fuses rhythms and music centered upon Brazilian bossa nova, baiao, maracatu and samba, with the African roots of jazz to shape a new and modern style. Yet, it is familiar, a little reminiscent of the 60s Brazilian music that many Americans embraced for its cool tempos and guitar-centric songs.

Duda Lucena led the band with guitar and vocals and a relaxed style as he explained certain songs and influences. Gerald Gregory's piano sparkled, and the familiar Charleston faces of Kevin Hamilton on bass and
 Quentin Baxter on drums rounded out the quartet. Both were also impressive, adapting easily to the different tempos and beats.

In fact, the performance was seamless. The acoustics were wonderful in the space, and it was obvious this quartet has experience playing together; in fact, they do. You can hear them most every Wednesday from 7 to 11 p.m. at Charleston Grill.

Lucena, who grew up in Recife, Brazil, now lives in Charleston. He led the quartet in performing covers as well as originals, one of the best of the evening being “Sol,” a composition he wrote about the subject of love finding you again, just as the sun returns after the night.

However, the most memorable performance of the evening had to be “Baiao Da Penha,” an upbeat number where Quentin Baxter showed us the highest purpose for the lowly triangle and excelled at the complicated Brazilian baiao rhythm. The duet was a joy for the audience, and Lucena and Baxter looked like they were enjoying it as well.

This event was sold out, and long tables were set up to allow people comfort and the chance to partake in some signature McCrady's snacks. Beverages were also available, and the wait staff did its usual excellent job of unobtrusive service, especially welcome during the concert. This building was the perfect space for this music, that is, if you do not count a seaside table in a Brazilian resort town.

The Jazz Artists of Charleston (JAC) proved through this series, and especially this concert, that they have excellent taste when it comes to introducing some great music to Charleston. Let's hope they don't wait an entire year until the next Piccolo Spoleto to launch another series.