Even those familiar with names such as Cal Tjader, Clare Fischer, Francisco Aguabella or John Santos often have a sketchy idea about the history and … Read More “Various Artists: Salsa de la Bahia Vol. 2: Hoy y Ayer–A Collection of SF Bay Area Salsa and Latin jazz”
By the time of his death on June 1, 2000, at age 77, Ernesto Antonio “Tito” Puente Jr. was an iconic figure in American culture. … Read More “Tito Puente: Quatro: The Definitive Collection”
Originally a commission from the Barcelona Jazz Festival in 2009, Eggũn: The Afri-Lectric Experience is Cuban pianist, composer and arranger Omar Sosa’s take on Miles … Read More “Omar Sosa: Eggũn: The Afri-Lectric Experience”
The extraordinary career of Argentine-born pianist, composer and conductor Lalo Schifrin, 80, brings to mind the story of the blind men and the elephant. For … Read More “Lalo Schifrin: My Life in Music”
Few attitudes speak to a person’s intelligence more clearly than his or her awareness of their own limitations. Even a cursory listen to French-African drummer … Read More “Manu Katché: Manu Katché”
In simultaneously looking back and forward, these two releases by the Preservation Hall band, in celebration of the Hall’s 50th anniversary, are a reminder that … Read More “Preservation Hall Jazz Band: The 50th Anniversary Collection”
Boldly ambitious and muscular but also smart, knowledgeable and mindful of the traditions at play, Multiverse might be drummer, composer, arranger and educator Bobby Sanabria’s … Read More “Multiverse: Bobby Sanabria Big Band”
Approaching traditional tango with a sensibility informed by jazz and European classical music, Uruguayan pianist and composer Gustavo Casenave creates an intriguing paradox: His Tango … Read More “Gustavo Casenave: Tango Casenave”
Latin jazz is celebrated on an animated film, now available on DVD/Blu-Ray
On the ambitious two-CD XXI Century, Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba continues to develop the ideas of modernity and fusion hinted at on previous recordings, with … Read More “Gonzalo Rubalcaba: XXI Century”
Seattle-based Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and composer Jovino Santos Neto follows last year’s Veja O Som (See the Sound), a two-CD set of duet collaborations, with Current, … Read More “Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto: Current”
After settling in Madrid in 2000, in part as the result of his involvement in Spanish director and producer Fernando Trueba’s film Calle 54, Nuyorican … Read More “Jerry González Y El Comando De La Clave : Jerry González Y El Comando De La Clave”
The compliment might make a manager cringe, but Urban Nature never sounds like someone’s vehicle. This is percussionist Sammy Figueroa’s third album as a leader, … Read More “Sammy Figeroa & His Latin Jazz Explosion: Urban Nature”
In a career that already spans nearly 40 years, Bay Area percussionist John Santos has played many roles, including performer, bandleader, composer, producer and teacher. … Read More “John Santos y El Coro Folklórico Kindembo: La Esperanza”
In a career that already spans nearly 40 years, Bay Area percussionist John Santos has played many roles, including performer, bandleader, composer, producer and teacher. … Read More “The John Santos Sextet: Filosofía Caribeña, Vol. 1”
Fernando Gonzalez profiles Argentine pianist
It’s human nature: If you have something before your eyes every day, you stop seeing it,” says Cuban pianist, percussionist, composer and arranger Omar Sosa, … Read More “Omar Sosa: The Flavor of Africa”
