Joel LaRue Smith Trio – September’s Child (Independent 2008)

There is indeed a deep connection between Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe. As September’s Child unfolds the sweeping musical journey begins as well, as does the harmonic and rhythmic connection that enjoins continents. It is the remarkable nature of Joel LaRue Smith’s pianism that becomes the binding glue of it all [...]

2nd Annual L. A. Latin Jazz Festival

Held every year on the 3rd weekend of May at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre, the goal of Nederlander Concerts is to present artists and music that have been recognized by the Grammys in the category of Latin Jazz and the Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year. According to event producer, Eddie Rodriguez, “We are preserving and bringing to ‘Angelinos’ a genre of music that dates back [...]

Eric Kurimski – Réplica (Lima Limon Records 2008)

In Peru, Eric Kurimski observes in the notes of his journey to Lima, the concept of time loosely exists. What a remarkable observation by the musician who became besotted with Peruvian music so much so that he traveled to the small South American country to become one of its most extraordinary exponents. This recording, Replica, the debut for Eric Kurimski, is a seminal document [...]