Di Blasio Puts Edge on Wholesome Latin Instrumentals

The most interesting thing about Raul Di Blasio is not that he is a survivor (how many Latin pop piano stars can you name?), or that his success is unprecedented (he introduced instrumental music into Latin charts), or that underneath the flashiness he has an edgy substance going.

The most interesting thing about him is that he can be more entertaining than most middle-of-the-road Latin stars with looks and voices.

On Saturday at the Universal Amphitheatre, the 45-year-old Argentine put a face on faceless elevator music. After two hours of safe, wholesome entertainment for the whole family (including a presentation of “Latino,” his fifth album and his first shot at a pop crossover), Di Blasio still stood as a serious artist.

His secret? A young, eight-piece orchestra of gifted musicians with plenty of room for individual expression; an eclectic repertoire that included a couple of originals and U.S. and Latin American classics, and an irresistible charm every time he grabbed the microphone to chat.

He did indulge in excessive glissandi, but his unpredictable style--banging the keys furiously just when you thought he was getting mellow, or making the piano sound like a charango during a classic song from the Andes--was an indication that Di Blasio is not your typical popular pianist, and that perhaps this music is not that bad after all.