Poncho Sanchez, Terence Blanchard: Chano Y Dizzy!

For more than three decades as both a leader and a sideman, conguero Poncho Sanchez has stirred up a fiery stew of straightahead jazz, gritty soul music, and infectious melodies and rhythms from a variety of Latin American and South American sources. His influences are numerous, but among the more prominent figures that inform his music are two of the primary architects of Latin jazz – conga drummer and composer Chano Pozo and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie [...]

New CDs – September 2011 – Part 1

Poncho Sanchez and Terence Blanchard – Chano Y Dizzy! The drum and the horn, an inspired duet that played a vital role in the birth of Cubop. Poncho Sanchez and Terence Blanchard, two Living Masters in their own right, pay a heartfelt tribute to Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie, two Masters whose legacy continues to expand in the ample vocabulary of Jazz music. Their musical spirits are more present than ever on Chano Y Dizzy! [...]

Barquisimeto International Jazzfest 2011

The first week of October, Venezuela will celebrate one of the most prestigious festivals in their country, Barquisimeto International Jazz Festival 2011. The city of Barquisimeto, province of Lara (Venezuela), will again be the centre of cultural musical and pedagogical events with the sixth edition of this festival. The foundation, which has the same name as the festival, will offer jazz lovers a great list of artists who will participate in concerts, lectures [...]

Encuentro! at NJPAC: Omar Sosa, Jerry Gonzalez

Pianist and composer Omar Sosa, a leading ambassador of the new Cuban sound, is known for his intoxicating, impressionistic approach to Latin jazz, one that fuses a wide range of musical traditions, encompassing everything from cha-cha grooves and yoruba chants to hip hop beats and rhapsodic melodies. This exclusive Alternate Routes double-bill also welcomes Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band [...]

The Big Band Bogota at Jazz al Parque JazzFest

For two consecutive years IDARTES (District Institute for Arts in Bogota) has presented the Big Band Bogota Project which was created for the first time last year to celebrate the 15^th anniversary of the International Jazz Festival “Jazz al Parque” in the city of Bogota. This is an experimental musical project in order to explore new sound possibilities of jazz music in Colombia. The project has consolidated into a great band that puts together [...]

Ralph Irizarry’s Kickstarter Project “Los Viejos de la Salsa”

After producing, recording and manufacturing three productions on my BKS label and funding all three with my own money, I need backers to finish this great project I’ve already begun. I have 12 incredible tunes, 9 of which are original compositions, and all arranged by the best arrangers you can find anywhere. I have veteran musicians, like Eddie Montalvo, Elias Lopes, Reynaldo Jorge, Eddie Martinez and a host of others [...]

Gonzalo Rubalcaba – Fé/Faith (5Passion – 2011)

The thin line between theology and art was blurred in ancient times and this was manifested in the Psalms and in the Song of Solomon—both forms of poetry set to music and completely absorbed by devotion, praise and worship. What characterized this form of poetry and music was the complete surrender of the intellect to the soul. Thus the utter beauty of this art was able to shine with sheer passion and soaring spirituality. This is what characterizes [...]

Sebastian Schunke releases “Life and Death”

After the international press had celebrated the CD „Back in New York“ featuring Jazz legend Paquito de Riveria with great enthusiasm and the Sebastian Schunke Group had presented the CD to an enthusiastic crowd on several festivals, jazz clubs and concert halls around the globe in 2009 and 2012, Schunke did not hesitate to take the next step in 2011. Sebastian Schunke brings with “Life and Death” a new and very intimate touch to his music [...]

Bettye LaVette to close Teatro Libre JazzFest

This Saturday, September 10^th, Bettye LaVette will be the artist to close another edition of the Teatro Libre International Jazz Festival, in Bogota, Colombia. On this occasion, the woman with the expressive-voice, Bettye LaVette, will say goodbye to Bogota’s jazz lovers with an exciting concert at Julio Mario Santo Domingo Theater. Mrs. LaVette is going to be the last performer of this festival after nine days of concerts by recognized [...]

ALJO to Celebrate 10th Anniv. Season in 2011/12

The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance announced that it will celebrate the 10th Anniversary season of the GRAMMY Award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO), directed by Arturo O’Farrill, in 2011/12 at Symphony Space on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The ALJO will present three landmark programs to celebrate its first decade of existence. On October 14 and 15, the Orchestra will pay tribute to Andy and Jerry González, founders of the pioneering [...]