Reencuentros – Maraca and his Latin Jazz All Stars
RECORDED LIVE AT THE GRAND THEATER IN HAVANA, CUBA
(2011, DESCARGA SARL)
Review by: NY Co-Editor, Tomas Peña, October 2011
Flutist, Orlando Valle, known to his followers as, “MARACA,” grew up in a musical environment. He took up the flute at an early age and was invited to join Irakere, one of Cuba’s most popular bands, at the age of twenty-two. During his six years with the band he excelled as a flutist, keyboard player and arranger.
To date Maraca has recorded nine albums as a leader, is the recipient of numerous awards, such as the 1st and 3rd national Composers Competition Adolf Guzman (Havana, 1989) and the National Prize for Best Recordings from Egrem Records (1994) among others. In addition, he is the current leader of the Latin Jazz All Stars, an international all-star band that features some of the most prominent musicians from Cuba, Puerto Rico, France, Japan and Canada.
The genesis of the Latin Jazz All Stars dates back to 2008, when Maraca was invited to create a musical project for the Monterey Jazz Festival in California. According to Maraca, the original idea was to create new material for a string orchestra, but over time the project evolved into a “convention of the minds.” After a triumphant performance at Montery the band toured the United States and Latin America (Colombia). Over the years the band has featured such luminaries as (pianist) Herbie Hancock (pianist), Joshua Redman (saxophone), Cassandra Wilson (vocalist), John Benítez (bassist), Miguel Zenón (saxophonist), Brian Lynch (trumpeter) and Edward Simon (pianist) among others.
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Reencuentro was recorded live at El Gran Teatro de La Habana’s García Lorca Concert Hall (in Havana, Cuba) on January 12, 2010. Much like its predecessor (The Monterey Jazz All Stars), the Latin Jazz All Stars features an international lineup: Horacio “El Negro” Hernández (drums), Giovanni Hidalgo (congas, timbal, batá), David Sánchez (saxophone), Hugh Fraser (trombone), Harold López-Nussa (piano), Feliciano Arango (bass), Julio Padrón (trumpet), Yusef Díaz (keyboards), Enrique Lazaga (güiro), and Sayaka (violin), plus the participation of Orquesta de Cámara de La Habana (Havana Chamber Orchestra) under the direction of Iván del Prado.
The recording takes the listener on a musical journey through the history of traditional and contemporary Cuban music. The repertoire includes such classics such as Camerata en Guaguancó (a Guido López-Gavilán composition), Serenata Cubana (an Ignacio Cervantes piece), Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie’s, Manteca and a number of original compositions, including Afro, Danzón Siglo XXI, and Nueva Era.
The production, the repertoire and the high level of musicianship makes this recording a “must have” for aficionados of Latin Jazz and anyone who is interested in the development of Afro Caribbean music. The concert features so many special moments that it is difficult to select one defining moment, however I was particularly impressed with the Japanese violinist, Sayaka, the band’s interpretation of Manteca and the seamless manner in which the Havana Chamber Orchestra and the Latin Jazz All Stars meshed.
Reencuentro is unquestionably Maraca’s most ambitious recording to date and perhaps his finest as well. Look for it on my list of Top Ten recordings of 2011.
For Additional Information on Maraca Visit: www.maraca.cult.cu/
Chucho Valdés in the Great Jazz Colombian Alliance
Report by Oscar Montagut – From Bogotá, Colombia – June 19th, 2011
With a concert by the 2011 Grammy award winner, Chucho Valdes, the “Circuito de Jazz de Colombia” will be launched in Bogotá, Colombia, on June 23, at 8:00 p.m, at the Jorge Eliecer Gaitán Theatre. The Jazz Colombian Alliance is a group of the most prestigious jazz festivals including Festival de Jazz de Cali Ajazzgo, Festival de Jazz de Barranquilla Barranquijazz, Festival de Jazz de Medellín Medejazz, Festival de Jazz Teatro Libre de Bogotá, Festival Jazz al Parque, Festival Sevijazz de Sevilla and Festival de Jazz de Manizales.
The creation of this great network of jazz festivals is dedicated to working relentlessly for jazz lovers, musicians and the same festivals’ organization. This “circuito” is a strategic alliance that provides a unique space where many artists can share knowledge, experiences and talent which can inspire new audiences. The main goal of this cultural alliance is to keep contributing to the promotion of jazz music in Colombia with a persistent and exciting calendar each year, in the principal cities of the country. This great jazz event will turn Colombia into one of the most interesting jazz destinations in Latin America. Musical legends will visit Colombia in September to be part of a two-week jazz party: John Scofield, Justo Almario, Terence Blanchard, Oscar Hernández, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Diego El Cigala are just a few of the legendary artists in the exciting concert calendar this year.
The Grammy Winner
There was no other way to launch this alliance than to bring one of the most talented pianists in the last two decades to the centre stage. Jesús Dionisio Valdés, well-known as Chucho Valdes, is the international artist whose unrivalled talent will launch this promising network in Colombia.
After eleven years, the Latin jazz icon, Chucho Valdes will be back in Bogotá with the virtuous Afro-Cuban Messengers to share his Grammy award-winning new album “Chucho’s Steps”, according to him, his best and most complete work in years.
Jacobo Vélez and La Matatigrezz
In addition, the dynamic artists Jacobo Vélez and La Matatigrezz are the Colombian musicians scheduled to perform in this jazz event. This quintet plays songs composed by Mr. Veléz and based on traditional Colombian music and some elements of cool jazz. Jacobo is a talented composer and saxophonist from the city of Cali, the other musicians include Holman Alvarez (piano), Jorge Sepúlveda (drums), Juan Manuel Toro, (double bass), and Pavel Zuzaeta (trompet).
CIRCUITO DE JAZZ DE COLOMBIA CALENDAR 2011
www.circuitodejazzcolombia.com
XI FESTIVAL AJAZZGO ARTISTS
Cali, September 5-11
- John Scofield (USA)
- Diego El Cigala (Spain)
- Robbie Ameen (USA)
- Deborah Carter (USA – Netherlands)
- Bobby Carcasses & Afrojazz (Cuba)
- Karlos Rotzen (France)
- Edy Martínez (Colombia)
- Luigi Cinque (Italy)
- Jaime Henao (Colombia)
- Carolina Calvache (Colombia)
- El Colectivo (Colombia)
- Andrés Ortiz (Colombia-Suiza)
XXIII FESTIVAL DE JAZZ DEL TEATRO LIBRE ARTISTS
Bogotá, September 1 – 10
- Billy Branch (USA)
- Greg Diamond (USA)
- Justo Almario & Cartagena Caribe Big Band (Colombia)
- Terence Blanchard (USA)
- Sebastian Schunke (Germany)
- Roberto Fonseca (Cuba)
- Bettye Lavette (USA)
VIII FESTIVAL SEVIJAZZ ARTISTS
Sevilla (Valle), September 2 – 4
- En Ningún Lugar (Colombia)
- Deborah Carter (USA – Netherlands)
- El Colectivo (Colombia)
XV FESTIVAL MEDEJAZZ ARTISTS
Medellín, September 1 – 10
- Robbie Ameen (USA)
- Diego El Cigala (Spain)
- Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta II (USA-Puerto Rico)
- Buena Vista Social Club (Cuba)
- Deborah Carter (USA-Netherlands)
- Luigi Cinque (Italy)
- Siguarajazz and Los Reyes del Ritmo with Giovanni Hidalgo, “EL negro” Hernández and Samuel Torres. (Colombia-Cuba-Puerto Rico)
- Grupo Triaje (Colombia)
FESTIVAL BARRANQUIJAZZ ARTISTS
Barranquilla, September 7 – 11
- Roberto Fonseca (Cuba)
- Terence Blanchard (USA)
- Seis del Solar with Oscar Hernández
- Diego El Cigala (Spain)
- Stefon Harris (USA)
- Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta II (USA-Puerto Rico)
- Deborah Carter (USA-Netherlands)
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Oscar Montagut graduated in journalism and education in Colombia. He also finished his postgraduate program in Creative Writing in Canada. Currently Oscar works as an English teacher, translator, and freelance writer in Bogotá. He is a music collector, explorer and promoter of World Music. Exploring about music is his passion, knowing the history and evolution of this art is part of his life. Latin jazz, Salsa, Bossanova and any afro rhythms are some of his musical interests.
Contact: oscarmontagut@hotmail.com
2010 Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival
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)
Federico Britos – Voyage (Sunnyside Records – 2010)
As the world continues to awake to the rising tide of undiscovered music and musicians from the South American paradigm—in an almost ironic kind of reversal of Alejo Carpentier’s voyage of musical discovery in Los Pasos Perdidos (E.D.I.A.P.S.A, 1953) or to the English-speaking world The Lost Steps (Alfred Knopf, 1956, Univ. of Minnesota, 2001)—the Cuban violinist Federico Britos celebrates five decades in the lonely and all but forgotten Chair of the Magisterium of South American Music with a spectacular Sunnyside offering, Voyage. This sojourn, documented at several moments in time is a dazzling journey featuring the violinist who was acknowledged as being somewhat untouchable in improvisational virtuosity by the great Jascha Heifetz as far back as 1959. The album also forms a monumental edifice that pays tribute to the melding of several idioms in improvised music and dance forms that characterize the music of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Federico Britos thrills throughout. His violin soars with sublime glissandi. It flutters and lets out melodious cries of triumph as he invents phrases and lines that revitalize old melodies. Britos ascends great heights of sound filling the silent spaces with speech-like gasps, high and mighty wails and epic moans that collide to create astounding sounds—beautiful, definitive arias hover and dance in the waning moments of their own music as the moments die into the past. However every moment of each song is a quantum packet of beauteous energy from the elegiac ballad to his wife, “Vivian” to the irresistibly seductive “Vivian Flavia de las Mercedes” and the memorable flamenco call and response of “Tomatito & Federico” a duet with the virtuoso Spanish guitarist, Tomatito.
Among the other gems on the album are the luminous versions of “Moonglow” and “Avalon” featuring Bucky Pizzarelli, a spectacular descarga—a hot Cuban jam—with the late bassist, Israel “Cachao” Lopez and two wonderful songs on which Puertorican conguero, Giovanni Hidalgo stretches majestically. The first is Rafael Hernandez’s “Capullito de Aleli” and the second is a track that closes the album on a high note, “Micro Suite Cubana.” On the latter, Hidalgo’s virtuosity is almost palpable and his wonderful solo throws the otherwise calm Britos into a violin frenzy of sorts as he reaches in to the uppermost register of his magnificent instrument, to play trill after trill of almost impossibly high notes with clarity and spectacular effect.
It is impossible to resist superlatives as Britos engages in triangular, quadrangular conversations with special other guests on Voyage. Bassist, Eddie Gomez, pianists Michel Camilo and Kenny Barron thrill to his music and respond in equal measure on “Vivian Flavia de las Mercedes” and “After You’ve Gone” respectively. The vastly underrated talents of pianist and arranger Carlos Franzetti are also represented here as is the percussion genius of Ignacio Berroa. These major artists, together with a myriad others make Federico Britos’ Voyage utterly irresistible.
Tracks: Vivian; After You’ve Gone; Vivian Flavia de las Mercedes; Moonglow; Tomatito & Federico; Capullito de Aleli; Las Vegas Station; Lluvia de Colores; Avalon; A Las Cuatro de la Manana; Okey Paganini; Oriente; Micro Suite Cubana.
Personnel: Federico Britos: violin (violin ensemble and soloist 1), arrangements (2 – 5, 8 – 12); Carlos Franzetti: piano and arrangements ( 1, 7); Eddie Gomez: double bass (1, 7); Ignacio Berroa: drums (1, 7); Leonardo Suarez Paz: violin (1, 7); Kristof Witek: violin (1, 7); Hector Falcon: violin; Federico Britos: violin (1, 7); Ron Lawrence: viola (1, 7); Zackaria Enikeev: viola (1, 7); Jessy Levy: cello (1, 7); Garo Yellin: cello (1, 7); Kenny Barron: piano (2); Phil Flanigan: double bass (2); Francisco Mela: drums (2); Michel Camilo: piano (3); James Chirillo: guitar (4, 9); Jon Burr: double bass (4, 9); Tomatito: guitar (5); Giovanni Hidalgo: congas and chekere (6, 13); Felix Gomez: piano (6, 10, 13), arrangements (6); Eddie “Guagua” Rivera: baby bass (6, 10, 13); Edwin Bonilla: percussion (6, 10, 13); Bucky Pizzarelli: guitar (9); Gaby Vivas: double bass (8, 11, 12); Antonio Adolfo: piano (8); Carlomagno Araya: drums (8); Israel “Cachao” Lopez: double bass; Jorge Vivas: guitar (11, 12); Eric Bogart: drums (11); Rafael Solano: percussion (12); German Piferrer: arrangements (13).
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Federico Britos on the web: www.myspace.com/federicobritosvoyage
Review written by: Raul da Gama
Latin Jazz Network Radio – Jukebox – November 2009 Playlist
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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 to pianist, Jelly Roll Morton’s Habanera rhythms of the 1920’s. These are the same rhythms that found their way to New York City in the 1940s via Dizzy Gillespie, Mario Bauza, Chano Pozo, Machito, Tito Puente and are as relevant today as they were then.” The 2nd Annual Los Angeles Latin Jazz Festival will take place at the Greek Theatre on Saturday, May 16th. Tickets go on sale Saturday, March 28th at 10 AM.
The one night only event will bring together an assortment of award winning artists who have played a significant role in the development and popularization of Latin Jazz. The lineup includes: Dave Samuels and the Caribbean Jazz Project, Paquito D’ Rivera, Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars, jazz legends, Kenny Burrell and Hubert Laws and Charlie Sepulveda and the Turnaround and Giovanni Hidalgo. The L.A. Latin Jazz Festival is a celebration of Jazz, Latin Jazz and the artists who create it.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
(In Alphabetical Order)
KENNY BURRELL
Kenny Burrell is among a handful of guitar greats who have forever changed the role of their instrument. Staunch musical integrity and discriminate taste coupled with matchless technique have made him a legend among his peers. Burrell is a master instrumentalist, composer and virtuoso whose quest is to get the most out of a natural acoustic sound. And he is no stranger to Latin Jazz. Case in point, his 1963 recording, “Midnight Blue” and the tune, “Chile Con Carne,” where he collaborates with NEA Jazz Master and Salsa legend, Ray Barretto.
PAQUITO D’ RIVERA Born on the island of Cuba, saxophonist/clarinetist and 9-time Grammy Award winner, Paquito D’ Rivera began his musical trajectory as a child prodigy. D’ Rivera is a founding member of the Orquesta Cubana de Music Moderna, the former co-director of the groundbreaking group, Irakere and a charter member of the Caribbean Jazz Project. His appearance at the L.A. Latin Jazz Festival marks a historic reunion between he and Dave Samuels of the Caribbean Jazz Project.
GIOVANNI HIDALGO
Widely acknowledged as the greatest percussionist of his generation, Giovanni Hidalgo was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1963. He is the son of the noted percussionist Jose “Manengue” Hidalgo and was educated in Latin rhythms from childhood. While still in his teens he caught the attention of the legendary Dizzy Gillespie, toured in his United Nations All-Star Orchestra and became a noted session player, recording with Freddie Hubbard, Paul Simon and Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum project among others. In 1997 he earned a Grammy nomination in the Best Latin Jazz Category for his collaborations with pianist, Michel Camilo on the album, “Hands of Rhythm.” Hidalgo has shared the stage and recorded with Batacumbele, Carlos Patato Valdez, Candido, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Brian Lynch, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’ Rivera, Horacio El Negro Hernandez, Hilton Ruiz and many others.
HUBERT LAWS
Internationally renowned flutist Hubert Laws is one of the few classical artists who is able to move effortlessly from one genre to another. He took up the flute and was exposed to jazz while in high school. After graduating he began performing with the Modern Jazz Sextet, the Jazz Crusaders and more recently, the Crusaders. From 1963 to 1967 Hubert earned his “bones” as a Latin Jazz player with Mongo Santamaria’s band. Today, session work, collaborations and his publishing companies take up the majority of his time.
JOSE RIZO’S JAZZ ON THE LATIN SIDE ALL STARS
The Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars, so named after creator Jose Rizo’s Latin Jazz radio program, is a 15-piece all-star ensemble made up of legendary figures, world-class studio musicians, jazz artists, and popular bandleaders. This versatile ensemble is as comfortable playing Salsa as it is performing progressive Latin Jazz. The Ensemble and its rotating members include: Justo Almario (tenor sax), Marvin “Smitty” Smith (drums), Danilo Lozano (flute / musical director), Francisco Aguabella (congas), Poncho Sanchez (congas), Alex Acuna (drums), Freddie Crespo (lead vocals / timbales), Francisco Torres (trombone / prime arranger), Rene Camacho (bass), Bijon Watson (trumpet), Sal Cracchiolo (trumpet), Robert Incelli (alto sax), Scott Martin (baritone sax), Gilbert Castellanos (trumpet), Eric Jorgensen (trombone), Joey De Leon (congas), Alfredo Ortiz (bongo / vocals), Andy Martin (trombone), Jimmy Branly (timbales), Joe Rotondi (piano),and Luis Eric Gonzalez (trumpet).
DAVE SAMUELS AND THE CARIBBEAN JAZZ PROJECT
Dave Samuels is best known for his approach to both the vibraphone and marimba. Dave has demonstrated his versatility and gained world wide recognition by performing and recording with a broad scope of artists ranging from Gerry Mulligan, Oscar Peterson, Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Carla Bley, The Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny, Bruce Hornsby, Frank Zappa, The Fantasy Band, Spyro Gyra, Double Image and The Caribbean Jazz Project. During his time with Spyro Gyra, the 5-time Grammy Nominated group was named #1 Contemporary Jazz Artist and Contemporary Jazz Group of the 80′s by Billboard magazine.
Dave’s other awards include: Best Vibes Player in both Jazziz and Modern Drummer Magazine. In addition, he received a Grammy Award in 2003 for Best Latin Jazz Recording with his group, the Caribbean Jazz Project’s, CD, “The Gathering”. In 2004 he received a second Grammy Nomination for “Best Latin Jazz Recording for the “Caribbean Jazz Project’s release “Birds of a Feather” and in 2005 he received an unprecedented third consecutive Grammy Nomination for the Caribbean Jazz Project’s release “Here and Now, Live in Concert”.
CHARLIE SEPULVEDA AND THE TURNAROUND
Trumpeter, Charlie Sepulveda hails from Puerto Rico. His most recent recording, Charlie Sepulveda and the Turnaround was highly acclaimed and was nominated for a 2008 Latin Grammy for the Best Latin Jazz album of the year. Sepulveda studied at the School of Arts, the Conservatory of Music and the University of Puerto Rico as well as City College in New York. Over the years he has recorded and shared the stage with: Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie, Mc Coy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Dave Valentin, Hilton Ruiz, Paquito D’ Rivera, Michel Camilo, Sheila E., Ray Barretto, Marc Anthony, La India, the Fania All-Stars and has appeared on the Tonight Show.
The Los Angeles Latin Jazz Festival is produced by Nederlander Concerts in Association with Eddie Rodriguez & Latin Works Music. The event will take place on Friday, May 17th at 7:00 PM at the Greek Theater, 2700 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations.
TICKETS ON SALE SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH AT 10 AM
Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets including select Macy’s locations and Ritmo Latino. To charge by phone, call (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or at The Greek Theatre box office. All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. A service charge is added to each ticket price.
