Scott Oakley – Cancion Para Mi Amor (Invisible Music 2008)

How many times has this happened before? A jazz musician – and a very good one, at that – becomes seduced by the music of Cuba (and Latin America). Musicians from Bird and Dizzy to Archie Shepp were… This magnificent obsession continues unabated and is in flood today. A few, such as Toots Thielemans, Hendrick Meurkens, Jane Bunnett and Larry Cramer, and Steve Coleman [...]

The Latin Giants of Jazz – Ven Baila Conmigo (Gigante Records 2009)

It is a daunting task to play in the idioms of jazz, salsa and mambo in a big band setting without the spirit of El Rey, Tito Puente in attendance. But timbalero and musical director, Jose Madera acquits himself with distinction on “Ven Baila Conmigo,” this record that explodes with that special energy that Puente imparted to his excursions when he was alive [...]

Grupo Falso Baiano – Viajando Choro e Jazz (Independent 2008)

Of the many non-Brasilian ensembles in the United States besotted with “choro,” the music of Brasil and, not simply drawn to it, but actually performing it, Grupo Falso Baiano may very possibly be the finest. The quartet of Jesse Appelman (mandolin), Zack Pitt-Smith (woodwinds), Brian Moran (guitars and cavaquinho) and Ami Molinelli (pandeiro and percussion) [...]

Victor Rendón – Fiesta Percusiva (Private/Independent, 2008)

Fiesta Percusiva, the title of this album by master percussionist and multi-instrumentalist, Victor Rendón does not even begin to describe fully the depth of this project. Sure it is a celebration. Which record driven by Latin rhythms is not? Yet it is much more than this. It is an emotional journey into the world of percussion from various corners of the Latin world [...]

Art of Jazz Global Jazz Village – June 5-7, 2009

The 4th annual Art of Jazz Global Jazz Village, taking place from June 5 – 7 in Toronto’s historic Distillery District, is proud to welcome an outstanding line-up of artists to this year’s event for a celebration of Italian and Cuban jazz. This year’s performers include: Mario Romano, the Pat Martino Organ Trio with Tony Monaco, Roberta Gambarini together with Neil Swainson [...]

Meeco – Amargo Mel (Connector Records 2009)

Meeco is a rather young musician who appears drawn not simply to the musical idioms of jazz, popular music and a myriad ones in the Latin tradition, he also set out to do what musicians of his age seldom attempt. He made a troubadour record. “Amargo Mel” is a very difficult project to pull off, even if you have a stellar cast that includes the likes of Reggie Moore [...]

Roger Davidson & Raul Jaurena – Pasion Por La Vida (Soundbrush 09)

Pasion Por La Vida is an unusual and memorable record, even by Roger Davidson’s standards. It is the third “Latin” record made by Davidson, a pianist influenced by Bill Evans as much as by Chopin. But Pasion Por La Vida takes Davidson’s love for the music of South America a shade further than – Mango Tango, Amor Por El Tango and Rogers in Rio [...]

Antonio Arnedo – Colombia – (Adventure Music 2005)

If Lucia Pulido is the doyen of the poetic vocal tradition of Colombian music, Antonio Arnedo is its instrumental ambassador. His cultural collision with the jazz tradition on this remarkable record, Colombia, throws a bright spotlight on his ability to bend, twirl and bubble his breath through saxophone and flute, mixing jazz with classical music [...]

Jane Bunnett with Desandann and Hilario Durán Trio

Grupo Vocal Desandann (from Camaguey, Cuba) in Haitian Song, Cuban Soul. With Jane Bunnett and The Hilario Durán Trio. Live at the Glenn Gould Studio, in Toronto.

Jane Bunnett at Hugh’s Room, Toronto – February 27, 2009

Jane Bunnett is joined on stage by her group The Spirits of Havana and special guest vocalists Elizabeth Sheppard and Telmary Diaz. Performing songs from her new critically acclaimed CD “Embracing Voices“ as well as a wide variety of songs from her many award winning albums [...]