The widely acclaimed Yaz Fentazi musical group made a brief appearance in London as part of the Music@One series of lunchtime encounters between a diverse walk-in urban audience and a dynamic virtual procession of known or newly discovered musical talent from near and far, especially from the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East.
As the promoters point out, Yaz Fentazi and Robyn Hemmings and their companions, when in performance, give their audience a magical sense of travelling in their minds. In this instance, Yaz Fentazi (oud) and Robyn Hemmings (upright bass) enthralled the lunchtime audience with their virtuoso performance.
Essentially a dynamic group with a flexible and innovative repertoire, the group of artists perform as a duo, a trio or a quartet. As a foursome the artists have performed in the past in the company of Samir Nacer (percussion) and Yoann Julliard (drums).
Their richly evocative music draws on myriad traditions fused with contemporary interpretations, be that classical invocations as familiar but fresh sounds, blues, folk or jazz. The duo has performed widely abroad and in Britain at Glastonbury, Womad and the Ealing jazz festival.
As a twosome the Yaz Fentazi Duo performed 25 January 2018 at the Ismaili Centre fountain foyer, The Ismaili Centre, 1 Cromwell Gardens, London SW7 2SL.