WASHINGTON, October 9 (By Maria Young for RIA Novosti) – Russian jazz legend Igor Butman wrapped up a tour of the US East Coast in Washington Tuesday night, playing his saxophone the same way he’s played since the tour began nearly three weeks ago: as if he’s giving the very last concert of his life.
Then again, Butman said, he plays like that all the time, blowing for all he’s worth, bending backwards to squeeze out every note until perspiration is pouring from his forehead, his face flushed and a look of pure joy in his eyes.
“In Russia we have a saying that ‘he opens up his soul like a shirt,’ you know, that people can rip the shirt and your soul is getting out, like it’s escaping,” Butman told RIA Novosti during an interview before a performance at the Russian Embassy in Washington earlier this week.
By comparison, some US musicians, while technically brilliant, “are too cool, they play too well,” as if emotionally, “something got lost in the music,” he said.
It’s a difference he attributes to the “wonderful, very positive” reception he’s had from audiences in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Washington.
“A lot of people say they haven’t heard anything like that, and we’re getting standing ovations every time, maybe because we’re passionate,” he added.
RIA Novosti
