Omar Sosa & NDR Big Band – Ceremony (Otá Records – 2010)

Omar Sosa inhabits two worlds. One in which all humans live and the other is the spirit world. On Ceremony (Music arranged by Jaques Morelenbaum) a record that he made with the NDR Big Band, he has opened the door to both worlds. Moreover, with Jaques Morelenbaum’s masterful arrangements of his (Sosa’s) music these worlds are that much closer. Sosa has been crossing the threshold between this world and the spirit one [...]

Um Abraço Pra Claudio – An Interview with Claudio Roditi

My palms are wet, but I am not nervous—just uncontrollably excited to be talking with Claudio Roditi, an iconic figure in music. With Brasilian guitarist, Ricardo Silveira and percussionist Duduka da Fonseca, another Brasilian and long-time resident of the Big Apple, Roditi is a seminal figure in the pursuit of a rare idiom in music. Some call it Samba Jazz. If that was meant to conjure images similar to Latin Jazz it certainly goes a long way in to putting the sound [...]

Hamilton de Holanda – Brasilianos 2 (Adventure Music – 2010)

The mandolin has barely evolved since its incarnation as a lute in Italy over three hundred years ago. A few more strings may have been added, so that there is now a ten-stringed version; tuning of these strings may have become more creative and different, but the instrument has remained essentially the same. Unlike the violin, its notes decay quicker after they are sounded and cannot usually be sustained after a point. But then you have musicians [...]

Music Icons to Judge 2010 International Songwriting Competition

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has put together the most high-profile and prestigious judging panel in its nine-year history. Known for its high caliber of judges, ISC offers songwriters and artists the unprecedented opportunity to have their music heard by some of the world’s most iconic and successful recording artists, as well as many major and indie record label presidents [...]

Ricardo Silveira – Até Amanhã (Adventure Music – 2010)

The music of guitarist Ricardo Silveira flows—especially on Até Amanhã/’Til Tomorrow–flows like an interminable river into the proverbial ocean of sound where a world of music mixes and mingles. Yet the idea that he is only marginally Brazilian is anathema. Silveira’s music ripples and gushes with a forceful swagger recalling, at times, the immensity force Rio Negro. That is when his phrases and lines bubble like with liquefying, steamy splendour [...]

Mark Weinstein – Timbasa (JazzHeads – 2010)

It would seem that there is no stopping flutist, Mark Weinstein. While the composer and instrumentalist extraordinaire may not have trumped his awe-inspiring expedition into the realm of improvisation, Tales From The Earth (Ota Records, 2009) his album, Timbasa has certainly turned out to be an alchemist’s dream. Who would ever have imagined that Miles Davis’ languorous performance of “Milestones” could be regenerated as an extravagant and masterful Afro-Cuban adventure? [...]

2010 Toronto TD Jazz Festival – June 25 to July 4

Toronto ~ Late June signals not only the start of summer, but also the arrival of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival as it takes over the city for 10 incredible days. Local clubs, restaurants, venues and even a church or two will be playing host, creating a Festival network that includes over 40 participating stages all over the city. Now, that is a lot of jazz!

Our Man From La Habana – Cándido Camero: Uno De Los Nuestros

Comienzo mi reportaje expresando que la imágen de Cándido me llamó la atención por primera vez hace más de cuarenta años. Lo ví ilustrado en las carátulas de algunos discos suyos que encontré en un “record shop” situado en la calle Rivington en el bajo Manhattan. Me refiero a los discos “Long Play”, reliquias de una epoca más sencilla, y, si no me falla la memoria [...]

Latinjazznet Online Music Store – May 2010 update

Check the latest additions to our Online Music Store (affiliated to amazon.com) – Browse throughout the different categories: Books, Magazines, Music, DVD, Blu-ray, Songbooks, Instructional Books and DVDs, Musical Instruments and more.

Luis Muñoz – Invisible (Pelin Music – 2010)

Luis Muñoz thinks with an open palette of sound. His vision of music is as sweeping as the eye can see and absorbs a wide spectrum of color and tone texture, from the sophisticated rough and tumble of the trance-like sound of Afro-centric worship music to the delightful swing of idiomatic phrases that spring from the joyous spirit of jazz [...]