Review: Zoe Rahman solo piano

Richard Attenborough Centre, Leicester.

Review by Chris Beggs

Up-and-coming young pianist Zoe Rahman played her first ever solo piano concert to a rapt audience at a packed Richard Attenborough Centre in Leicester University.

Last night the first set included a lovely rendition of These Foolish Things with bluesy flourishes over a gentle left-hand stride, and two witty pieces by her mentor, American pianist Joanne Brackeen.

Then a stunning performance which included a lyrical Bengali song her aunt used to sing, and her own The Calling, over a highly rhythmic eight-to-the-bar grinding bass line.

The second set opened with a memorable Little Rootie Tootie, and an Abdullah Ibrahim number.

Then it got even better, as Zoe launched into an improvisation of Duke Ellington's Come Sunday, and another Bengali tune Days that are Past.

The ideas and tunes just flowed and sang until everyone lost all track of time.

I don't know who was more delighted – Zoe or the audience – but we'll all remember this for years.