A GREAT PRIMER FOR LATIN JAZZ LOVERS

As with many forms of music, jazz cannot be defined in a simplistic manner. The "All Music Guide to Jazz" has essays on over twenty types of jazz from classic jazz to bop to soul jazz and to the sub-genre of jazz recognized by this Smithsonian Folkways Recording: Latin Jazz. Often compilations of this type are presented a cursory way which really does define the music form. Smithsonian, as we all know, seldom does things in a half-hearted way. The CD package is a virtual historical presentation of Latin Jazz both musically and in the excellent booklet that comes with the CD. As befitting the category, the liner notes are presented in both English and Spanish.

An excellent five page introduction by Isabelle Leymarie provides a thorough view of the evolution of Latin Jazz from its very early roots in the 1920's through its "...crystallization in New York in 1940, when Mario Bauza and his brother-in-law Cuban singer...Frank 'Machito' Grillo,...formed the Afro-Cubans, an orchestra that performed genuine Cuban music but incorporated the startling innovations of what would later become known as bebop." By the late 40's, American bands also were incorporating Latin jazz with the biggest contributions from Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Kenton.

The music collection begins with Machito's 1948 rendition of "Tanga" and concludes with a 1998 selection from the
incredible Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes. Each song is accompanied with brief historical notes. I'm not going to describe all 15 of the songs on the album but here are my impressions on a few of the cuts (all of the songs are excellent on the CD):

1. TANGA--Maurio Bauza 3:52

Considered the first Afro-Cuban composition, this song was first heard in 1943. This rendition is full of complicated percussion and lively singing and includes the great Charlie Parker on alto sax and Flip Phillips on tenor sax. One of the major differences from "classic jazz" is immediately evident in the widely expanded rhythm section which includes maracas, bongos, congas and timbales. To say that this song swings in its own Latin way is a gross understatement.

2. MANTECA--D. Gillespie/C. Pozo 3:09

Recorded in 1947, the musicians include Dizzy Gillespie, John Lewis on piano and Kenny Clark on drums. And Chano Pozo on conga. Gillespie had asked Bauza to recommend a conga player and Pozo was the man. This song is said to be the embodiment of a sub-genre known as "Cubop". Once again, the rhythm section is a featured part of the song. Its hard to believe this song was recorded over 55 years ago as its sounds fresh by today's standards.

3. THE PEANUT VENDOR--Moises Simons/Marks 2:48

Actually written a generation before this recording in 1947, the incredible song launched Latin Jazz full force into the American jazz movement. Six percussion instruments join Kenton's screaming trumpets after a relatively sedate intro with guitar, trombone and drum. At the one minute mark, the trumpet begin a call and respond section augmented by the constant, heavy percussive sound. Once more, this a remarkable arrangement that shows the genius of Kenton and the ability of his musicians.

4. MANGO MANGUE--Gilberto Valdes 2:59

I love the liner notes description of this song: "The sonority and fluidity of Parker's alto sax projected over the formidable rhythmic machinery of Machito's orchestra was something akin to the flight of an eagle over a volcanic eruption." Recorded at the height of Mr. Parker's early career the sound of his horn above the pulsating rhythm section is amazing.

5. MAMBO--Chico O'Ferrill 3:18

From 1950, Charlie Parker, Flip Phillips and Buddy Rich join other tremendous musicians on this early recording of O'Ferrill's masterpiece which he later turned into The Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite.

6. MAMBO BEAT--Tito Puente 4:12

This represents one of the early works of the master leader/timbale player and composer Puente and is an excellent example of his ability to arrange and lead a complex, yet melodically pleasing, song.

I'm going to skip to the last two songs on the CD for time's sake but I do want to list the remaining songs, all deserving "classic" rating:

7. MAMBO INN--Bauza/Sampson 3:13 Performed by the George Shearing Quintet

8. AFRO-BLUE--Mongo-Santamaria 3:58 Mesmerizing song with Santamaria on congas, Paul Horn on flute and
Emil Richards on vibes

9. SOUL SAUCE--D. Gillespie 2:27 Performed by Cal Tjader on vibes--sensational

10. JUANA MIL CIENTO--Chucho Valdes 6:30 How's this for an all-star group: Chucho Valdes, keyboards,
Arturo Sandoval, trumpet, Paquito D'Rivera, sax. Fantastic rhythm intro from the most famous Cuban band, "Irakere"

11. GIANT STEPS--Coltrane 6:11 From 1998, this is a modern reproduction of one of the standards of jazz set to
Latin rhythms. I thing Mr. Coltrane would have approved of this rendition is triple time.

12. BYE-YA-T. Monk 6:45 Jerry Gonzalez plays trumpet, flugelhorn, congos, shekere and bells. It is superb and Thelonius would dig it.

13. FRIDAY MORNING--Danilo Perez 6:38

Perez is another great Latin pianist and he's joined by Sandoval and D'Rivera on this fantastic rendition from 1991. This is the type of music that only a dead person could not be moved by.

14. LOS ARETES DE LA LUNA--Jose Quinones 5:01

David Sanchez plays an absolutely gorgeous tenor solo on this beautiful, haunting ballad recorded in 1998. This would definitely be a good song to listen to while sitting in front of a cozy fire with your lover.

15. CON POCO COCO--Chucho Valdes 8:34

This comes from a Grammy-nominated album featuring the incredible pianist Valdes. Listening to this man makes
me feel happy to be part of the human race. He is incredibly talented and his played absolutely knocks me out. There are not many pianists who can play with this speed, finesse and power. The song is a tremendous finale to a superior album.

If you want to learn more about Latin Jazz or just listen to some great music, you can't miss with this FIVE STAR album.