Photographs by Atael Weissman

Jane Bunnett returns to her roots in Cuban Music to present a brand new project “Cuban Rumba Roots Meets Jazz”

This project features new Rumba drum and dance group ” Iya Ire” with Jane’s Spirits of Havana group featuring special guest Hilario Duran.

This project recreates the buzz of Jane’s groundbreaking award winning 1st Cuban recording “Spirits of Havana” from the early 90′s Roots Rumba with allstar Jazz soloists!!!!

Hugh’s Room. Toronto, March 19, 2011. Photographs by Danilo Navas

View slideshow: Jane Bunnett – “Cuban Rumba Roots Meets Jazz” (this link will open in a new window)

Photographs by Atael Weissman

Atael Weissman’s main occupation is as an engineering consultant. Born, raised and educated in one of the former Soviet Union republics, which is now Latvia. He lived in Israel and now in Canada, for the last 28 years.  Photography and jazz music have been his main hobbies for many years -perfect combination.

Atael was excited to find out that Oscar Peterson was a Canadian and even managed to meet him for an autograph.  Latin jazz is his favourite music. He loves its melodic and rhythmic structure. Favourite artists: Eliane Elias, Rosa Passos, Michel Camilo, Giovanni Mirabassi, Nestor Torres and many others.

Atael has been shooting at jazz festivals in Toronto.  His images have been used on the wikipedia website and on a couple of CD covers from local artists (Steve Koven, Adam Makowich). He has provided images for Arturo Sandoval’s manager.

Atael has established a close relation with Koerner Hall’s publicity manager (in Toronto), getting access to the shows and events. His photographs are mainly posted on www.jazzreview.com and www.allaboutjazz.com. Today, we introduce him to our readers and welcome him as a collaborator.

View slideshow: Photographs by Atael Weissman (this link will open in a new window)

Photographs by Marco Di Gianvito

Marco Di Gianvito is an italian freelance photographer based on Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean. He is a self-taught photographer who started his own activity as a Travel & Outdoor photographer and a photojournalist, 17 years ago. After experiencing Italy and many of the european countries, in 2007, he moved to the Caribbean. Now he travels around the islands. His main photographic fields are cultural, music, social and sport events as long as commercial shootings (www.activeyephoto.com).

View slideshow: 2010 Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival (this link will open in a new window)

Photographer Carlos Haddock has been documenting the culture and music of New York and Puerto Rico for nearly three decades. His photographs have been exhibited at the Manners of Fine Art Gallery in New York and the Bienal de Fotografia in Puerto Rico. In addition, he was awarded a trophy by The Association of Photojournalists in Puerto Rico for his photographs of Festival de Jueyes, Maunabo (2002). Carlos is a member of The Association of Photojournalists in Puerto Rico and his work is registered with Non Stock Photographic Image House, an agent for independent photographers and images of fine art.

Though Carlos is essentially self taught, he attended The School of Visual Arts in New York and has conducted workshops at the Artes Plasticas Photography Workshop in Puerto Rico. More recently he has turned his attention to Puerto Rico’s music scene, where he’s been an official photographer for the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival. Carlos Haddock is a creative spirit who continues to draw his inspiration from the joy of life and the richness of all living things.

View slideshow: 2010 Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival (this link will open in a new window)

Glenda Del Monte Escalante, aka Glenda del E, released her first CD entitled Q-Ban Mixology. It was an electrifying night at the Mod Club Theatre on College Street in Toronto, on September 23, 2010. Featuring a string quartet and many special guests, Glenda del E took another big step in her artistic career.

From her earliest years in Havana, Cuba, Glenda was immersed in music. Her extraordinary work ethic and dedication to her craft has been instrumental in her development as an artist. In a short period of time, she has built an impressive musical resume, winning various competitions in her home town and being awarded scholarships from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto as well as the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto and York University. Being open to a wide array of musical influences, which range from classical piano to Cuban folklore to hip-hop, R&B and jazz, Glenda has managed to establish herself as an extremely talented and versatile musician amongst diverse music circles in Canada. Glenda is the ideal representation of a young adult making outstanding contributions to the development of the Latin American community of Canada.

Cuban Pianist-singer-songwriter Glenda del E gives Cuban music a fresh new take with her exceptional musicality, her piano and her voice. “Q-ban Mixology” evolved from Glenda’s trademark, positive and inspiring lyrics and melodies for all ages, pop-soul hooks and funk-jazz influenced arrangements defy generally held notions of what Cuban music is and defines her truly unique, genuine and her real sound. Her music reflects what she is: A strong academic trained musician transcending frontiers and a role model for future generations.

View slideshow: Glenda del E’s Q-Ban Mixology (this link will open in a new window)

Photographs by Danilo Navas

Review written by: Danilo Navas

Pianists abound in the Island of Cuba. Excellent pianists indeed, but only a selected group meet the high standards of virtuosity. Hilario Luis Durán Torres, better known as Hilario Durán belongs to that group. His nickname “Con Tumbao” fits him perfectly well. His percussive attack is killer. Born in Havana, Cuba in 1953, Durán never dreamed he would become a Canadian citizen one day, even less that he would make Toronto his permanent residence. An almost fortuitous event was the first step that eventually would take him to Canada. That was back in 1991, when legendary drummer Guillermo Barreto introduced him to flautist and saxophonist Jane Bunnett, who was looking for a pianist who could participate in her project “Spirits of Havana.” She was recording at the Egrem Studios and she needed a pianist well-versed on both, Afro-Cuban rhythms and Jazz harmonies. The rest is history.

More than 10 years after relocating to Toronto with his family, el Maestro (as he’s respectfully called by his peers, students and friends) Hilario Durán, a Grammy nominated artist; multi Juno Awards and National Jazz Awards winner; recipient of the 2007 Chico O’Farrill Lifetime Achievement Award and one of the 10 most influential Hispanic Canadians in 2009, is at the top of his game as a performer, composer, arranger and educator. Durán has become an integral and important part of the Canadian music scene. He’s also a invaluable member of the jazz faculty at Humber College, where he acts as adjunct piano professor and ensemble director.

Durán leads several projects in various formats. One of his dreams was to form a big band that would allow him to put in practice his past experience composing and arranging for a large ensemble. That dream already became a reality in 2007, with the support of Roberto Occhipinti. Featuring Grammy Award winning jazz great Paquito D’Rivera, drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernández and a who’s who of Cuban and Canadian jazz artists, Durán recorded “From the Heart,” a Juno Awards winner CD in the Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year category. It is with this cherished project, his Latin Jazz Big Band, that Hilario celebrated his 35 years of musical career at the Royal Theatre in Toronto, on Saturday, September 25, 2010.

It was an electrifying night at the Royal, a beautiful theatre located on College Street, in the heart of Little Italy. A sold-out event sponsored by JazzFM, the venue’s atmosphere was filled with a cascade of notes, mesmerizing grooves, tantalizing rhythms and magnificent perfomances. Special Guest Jane Bunnett joined Durán as a duet partner and as a member of his big band. She recalled the terrific experience of all these past years working with one of the true Cuban Piano Masters. In return, Durán credited Bunnett -a Torontonian musical icon- for being instrumental in the achievement of his goals in Canada.

The 13-members-band performed a selection of tunes from Hilario Durán Trio’s latest CD “Motion,” and from his Big Band CD “From the Heart.” Jane Bunnett also contributed a couple of her own compositions. The program was completed with songs from the Cuban and Latin-American songbooks. One of the highlights of the night was the participation of another great Cuban-Canadian, the charismatic Luis Mario Ochoa, who sang very passionate, beautiful arrangements of Ernesto Lecuona’s “Siboney” and Chabuca Grande’s “La Flor de la Canela.”

Hilario Duran and his Latin jazz Band with Special Guest Jane Bunnett Program

FIRST SET
Host Presentation: Introduction and presentation of the first set by Laura Fernandez of JazzFM.
Opening: Composed by Hilario Durán.
Mambo Influenciado: Chucho Valdés’ composition arranged by Hilario Durán.
Ochosi: Public domain. Prayer to Ochosi, one of the deities of the Yoruba pantheon.
Siboney: Famous Cuban song composed by the great pianist Ernesto Lecuona, arranged by Hilario Durán featuring vocalist Luis Mario Ochoa.
Habanera: Yailen Durán’s composition, dedicated to the close relationship between Spain and Havana, Cuba.
Almendra: Composed by Abelardo Valdés. Almendra is a famous Cuban Danzón arranged by Hilario Durán.
Tango Moruno: From the new JUNO nominated CD “Motion.” Composed by Hilario Durán and performed by his Trio.

SECOND SET
Danza Negra: Composed by the great Cuban pianist Ernesto Lecuona, arranged by Hilario Durán; from the new CD “Motion” and performed by Hilario Durán Trio.
Tarde en la Habana: José María Vitier’s composition. Performed by Hilario Durán and special guest Jane Bunnett (duet).
I Hear Voices: Composed by Jane Bunnett and arranged by Hilario Durán.
Francisco’s Dreams: Special guest Jane Bunnett’s composition arranged by Hilario Durán. This song is dedicated to the late Pancho Quinto, famous Cuban percussionist which performed with Jane and Hilario for a very long time.
Drume Negrita: Beautiful Cuban lullaby featuring vocalist Yailen Durán.
La Flor de la Canela: “The Cinnamon Flower”, amazing Latin American song composed by Chabuca Granda, arranged by Hilario Durán and performed by vocalist Luis Mario Ochoa.
Manteca: Performed by the orchestra, arranged by Hilario Durán, featuring Mark Kelso on drums, Joaquin Hidalgo on congas and Hilario Durán on piano.

ENCORE
Yo Toco de Tó: Featuring Yailen Durán and Luis Mario Ochoa.

Hilario Duran and his Latin jazz Band with Special Guest Jane Bunnett Members

Hilario Durán: Pianist, Arrangements and Musical Director
Jane Bunnett – Special Guest: Soprano Sax and Flute
Roberto Occhipinti: Bass
Yailen Durán: Vocalist
Luis Mario Ochoa: Vocalist
Pol Coussee: Tenor & Baritone Sax
Jorge Maza: Alto Sax
Vern Dorge: Tenor Sax
Alexander Brown: Trumpet
Dave Dunlop: Trumpet
Christopher Butcher: Trombone
Joaquin Hidalgo: Percussion
Mark Kelso: Drums

Photographs of this special concert can be viewed as a Slideshow.

Feature/Review written by: Danilo Navas

The Cuban Piano Masters Project

This unique musical group was first conceived in Havana, Cuba in 1992 at the National Theatre with the great Cuban pianists José María Vitier and the late Frank Emilio. It was brought to fruition in Canada in 1993 with a ground-breaking concert at the Glenn Gould Theatre (CBC) and became Jane Bunnett’s recording debut for EMI/Bluenote.

In 1997 the 2nd edition was presented at the Montreal Jazz Festival with collaborators Hilario Durán and Frank Emilio. This concert was filmed by Le Spectre and shown worldwide as “Jane Bunnett and the Cuban Piano Masters” (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUmrR7kMRmk).

Now in its third edition, this is a presentation of three generations of piano with Jane’s original collaborator Hilario Durán, current pianist Elio Villafranca and elder master Guillermo Rubalcaba (who appeared with Jane in her 2000 National Film Board Documentary “Spirits of Havana.”

The Cuban Piano Masters 2010/2011 Edition

The Venue

The superb new Koerner Concert Hall is a magnificent, state-of-the-art 1,135-seat venue located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Koerner Hall is one of three stages housed under the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, which is the Royal Conservatory’s new Toronto home. The elegant, modern architecture, goes hand in hand with the exceptional acoustics of the hall. It has received unanimous praise by performers and spectators alike.

Jane Bunnett and The Cuban Piano Masters was the last show of a concert-series dedicated to exploring the roots and advancements of the tremendous fusion of Latin Music and Jazz, known under the umbrella term of Latin jazz.

The Musicians

Jane Bunnett, soprano saxophone, flute
Hilario Durán, piano
Guillermo Rubalcaba, piano
Elio Villafranca, piano
José Luis Quintana (Changuito), timbales
Larry Cramer, trumpet
Roberto Riveron, bass
Jorge Torres (Papiosco), percussion
Luis (Luisito) Orbegoso, percussion

The Music

Part I
1. La Comparsa (Ernesto Lecuona)
2. Scheherazada (Frank Emilio Flynn)
3. Lágrimas Negras (Miguel Matamoros)
4. Oguere’s Cha (Elio Villafranca)
5. Timba Mabó (Hilario Durán/José Luis Quintana “Changuito”)

Part II
1. Fool On The Hill (Lennon/Mc Cartney) (Arranged by Elio Villafranca)
2. Quirino Con Su Tres (Poem by Nicolás Guillén/Music by Emilio Grenet)
3. Havana City (Hilario Durán)
4. I Hear Voices (Jane Bunnett)
5. Andalucía (Ernesto Lecuona)
6. Cacique (Elio Villafranca)
7. El Manicero (Moisés Simons)

Encore
- Ron Con Ron (Rum With Rum)

The Concert at Koerner Hall, Toronto

On Saturday, April 17, 2010, at around 8:00 pm, Jane Bunnett opened this special concert, soloing on her soprano, creating an almost sacred atmosphere in the magnificent Koerner Hall. That was a fit preamble to one of the most famous compositions by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, “La Comparsa.” One by one, the three pianos and the rhythmic section joined Jane Bunnett on a journey through popular, classical Cuban music and jazz.

Next on the program was “Scheherazada,” performed as a tribute to his composer, the late Piano Master Frank Emilio Flynn (1921-2001). The audience was treated to a joyful rendition of this piece, originally recorded as a cha cha chá in 1997 by Emilio, on his album “Barbarísimo.”

Next, Bunnett and Guillermo Rubalcaba joined forces as a duet on another classic piece, “Lágrimas Negras” (Miguel Matamoros).

The youngest of the three Masters, Elio Villafranca, contributed his first composition of the night, the enchanting “Oguere’s Cha,” recorded by Villafranca on his first CD, “Incantations.” A very spiritual piece, “Oguere’s Cha” began with a beautiful chant masterfully performed by percussionist Luis (Luisito) Orbegoso, who’s very well known in the Toronto Latin and Jazz musical circuit. Elio and Hilario exchanged lyrical melodies and waves of rhythm and harmony in their interaction, bringing the call and response patterns to a high level of complexity.

Right after, and closing the first part of the concert, another very special guest came on stage. The legendary percussionist José Luis Quintana (Changuito) introduced “Timba Mabó,” a descarga written by Hilario Durán and Changuito during the recording of Hilario’s CD “Killer Tumbao” in Havana, Cuba, back in 1997.

As it’s been customary on this Latin Jazz Series concerts, after the intermission, Mervon Mehta (Executive Director, RCM Performing Arts) joined the featured artist (in this case Jane Bunnett) for a brief chat. Bunnett shared her musical views and ideas with the audience, opening right after the second part of the show with a duet. This time, Jane and Elio Villafranca performed a beautiful rendition of “Fool On The Hill” (Lennon/McCartney). An intricate Villafranca’studio of this popular piece unfolded, led by the piano, and nicely complemented by Bunnett’s flute.

The duet became a trio. This time, Jane and her soprano horn were joined by Hilario Durán on the piano and “Changuito” on the timbales. They did a wonderful interpretation of “Quirino con su Tres,” a popular tune created by Emilio Grenet, who wrote music to a poem by Nicolás Guillén in the 1930′s.

Then it was Durán’s turn of contributing a composition, “Havana City,” from his recording “Encuentro en La Habana,” made in Cuba in 2005 with his former bandmates from “Perspectiva.” A tribute to the city of dreams, as I call it, “Havana City” evoques the nostalgia of the artist’s motherland, the cherished souvenirs and the ghosts of a lifetime.

The next piece was “I Hear Voices,” a song written by Jane Bunnett, from her Juno Award winning album “Embracing Voices.”

Then the classic song “Andalucia,” composed by Ernesto Lecuona, received a modern treatment. Arranged by Maestro Guillermo Rubalcaba. The three pianos participated in the dialogue.

“Cacique” came after. The second composition of the night by Elio Villafranca. Another spiritual song, introduced by Elio singing a chant/prayer to the Orisha Oduduwa (Odua).

Possibly the most popular Cuban song of all times, “El Manicero,” written by Moisés Simons, ended a fantastic musical trip to the Caribbean island. Three true Masters representing the best of the Cuban pianistic tradition, led by a more than passionate Canadian, took us on a helluva ride with their distinctive voices. Big kudos to Jane Bunnett for making this great concert a reality. Not an easy task to accomplish, this show is definitely one of the landmarks in Jane’s musical career.

As if we hadn’t had enough, we were regaled with an encore: the descarga “Ron con Ron” (Rum with Rum), previously recorded on Bunnett’s Cuban Odyssey – Spirits of Havana project.

From an interview with Mrs. Bunnett conducted by John Goddard (Toronto Star daily), I extract the following, where Bunnett describes the significance of each player on this concert.

Guillermo Rubalcaba: “At 83, he is super well-known and in great health. There are not a lot left — guys in their 80s who play in that beautiful, elegant piano style (of 1930s Cuban cha-cha-chá) that blends very European influences with Afro Cuban rhythms. “Guillermo is founder of one of the most famous groups in Cuba, Charanga Rubalcaba, and plays with Buena Vista Social Club.”

Hilario Durán: “In terms of the growing modern jazz scene in Cuba in the 1970s and 1980s, Hilario was one of the more profound players. He was big there. He had his own group “Perspectiva,” besides doing all the other work he was doing.

“When I met him (in 1991 in Havana) he probably had made well over 400 recordings as a sideman, working in the EGREM recording studios, just working away arranging, composing, directing and backing many of the great Cuban masters.”

Elio Villafranca: “Elio is in his 30s, one of the new generation of Cuban musicians on the cutting-edge New York scene. I would say he’s a jazz musician first but really draws from his Cuban roots. He is from Pinar del Río, the little boot part of western Cuba.

“We’ve been working a lot in the States together and playing a lot in Europe.”

Changuito: “He’s done a million recordings. He joined Los Van Van (in 1970), which for me is the best salsa band, my favourite, and he was sort of the originator of the songo rhythm, one of the groundbreaking rhythms the group developed. He left a few years ago to focus more on Latin jazz.”

View Slideshow – Jane Bunnett and the Cuban Piano Masters
Photographs by Danilo Navas

Bobby Carcassés: Luna de Miel en Nueva York
Un eterno romance entre lo cubano y el jazz demuestra que la cosa va en serio

Reseña por Chico Alvarez Peraza

Fotografías por Verónica Carcassés

El pasado jueves 11 de marzo, se presentó por segunda vez en el Jazz Gallery de la calle Hudson en el bajo Manhattan el improvisador de jazz, cantante, trompetista, pianista, percusionista y dibujante cubano Bobby Carcassés. Su música ha sido categorizada como “jazz cubano” y el propio Bobby ocupa hoy un lugar importantísimo en la historia de este género.

Como lo había hecho ya en otras ocasiones, Bobby le brindó a sus admiradores alma y corazón; les presentó un repertorio original envuelto en sus propios arreglos; mezclados con adaptaciones de varios temas que pertenecen tanto al repertorio clásico y variado del jazz como al cancionero americano. Junto a Bobby, un elenco de musicos cubanos desterrados: el destacado alto saxofonista y percusionista Yosvany Terry; su hermano, el inquieto Yunior Terry en el bajo acústico; el pianista por excelencia Manuel Valera; el ritmo contagioso de Marvin Diz, haciendo de lo suyo con tres tumbaboras mientras el formidable Dafnis Prieto le daba el toque final al asunto con una batería americana (drum set). Y para ñapa, la agresiva combinación cubana se unió para descargar en dos temas con la flautista americana Andrea Brachfeld, a quien Bobby había invitado a participar. Así, de forma contundente y con cierto aire “libre” (free form), Carcassés fundió ambos generos en forma muy peculiar, y por supuesto “a lo cubano”. A mi entender, esa es su frase favorita… Lea la reseña completa

Vea el slideshow: Bobby Carcassés: Luna de Miel en Nueva York (este enlace abrirá en una ventana nueva)

Photographer Carlos Haddock has been documenting the culture and music of New York and Puerto Rico for nearly three decades. His photographs have been exhibited at the Manners of Fine Art Gallery in New York and the Bienal de Fotografia in Puerto Rico. In addition, he was awarded a trophy by The Association of Photojournalists in Puerto Rico for his photographs of Festival de Jueyes, Maunabo (2002). Carlos is a member of The Association of Photojournalists in Puerto Rico and his work is registered with Non Stock Photographic Image House, an agent for independent photographers and images of fine art.

Though Carlos is essentially self taught, he attended The School of Visual Arts in New York and has conducted workshops at the Artes Plasticas Photography Workshop in Puerto Rico. More recently he has turned his attention to Puerto Rico’s music scene, where he’s been an official photographer for the Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival. Carlos Haddock is a creative spirit who continues to draw his inspiration from the joy of life and the richness of all living things.

View slideshow: 2009 Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival (this link will open in a new window)