See our gallery of the musicians who performed at this year’s Dubai Jazz Festival.
ocamacho@thenational.ae
Updated: February 28, 2015, 12:00 AM
Dubai Jazz Festival 2015 - in pictures
Flitting between upright and fretless electric bass, jazz-crossover star Esperanza Spalding showcased an astounding dexterity, leading a phenomenal seven-piece band through her knotty, inventive, funk-flavoured arrangements. Jeff Topping for The National
He’s not cool. But he knows his craft well. While there’s not much variation in James Blunt’s repertoire – mid-tempo, guitar-pop ballads tend to dominate – the 41-year-old Brit shrewdly structures his schmaltz, mixing flavours old and new, and fast and slow. Satish Kumar / The National
Parading the stage in a High School Musical-style white blouse and glittery tights get-up, a hyperactive Christina Perri seemed genuinely overcome with the excitement of being in Dubai (her new “favorite city”). Satish Kumar / The National
Sting appeared to have rapture, grinning at his own dexterity as he traced hypnotic fretboard runs, exploring the full sonic palette of his battered Fender bass. Relishing having the stage to just himself again, much of the familiar material was extended, contorted, rearranged to add fresh breakdowns, bridges and solos. The reason Sting still enjoys playing the hits may be because they are subject to a continuous evolution and reinterpretation. Satish Kumar / The National
“If you haven’t figured out what I do yet, I’m a dancing violinist,” explained opening act Lindsey Stirling, a couple of tunes in. “And if you’re expecting me to sing ... I’m a dancing violinist. Satish Kumar / The National
A couple waits to hear John Legend perform. Jeff Topping for The National