Gabriel Alegría & The Afro-Peruvian Sextet Fuse Music From The Coast Of Peru With Modern Jazz on Forthcoming August 6 Release, Pucusana

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Afro-Peruvian, Arturo O'Farril, Gabriel Alegría, Jazz, Russell Ferrante, Trumpet

Album Features Keyboardists Russell Ferrante and Arturo O’Farril

Gabriel Alegría & The Afro-Peruvian Sextet - Pucusana

The growling clarion call evokes old jazz, Louis Armstrong, and New Orleans, but the cries in Spanish, the percussion, and the gentle, looping groove takes us to a different place. Both familiar and fresh, those first bars on Peruvian trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Gabriel Alegría’s Pucusana, are also a declaration of principle of Afro-Peruvian jazz music.

“Taita Guaranguito,” is a traditional Afro-Peruvian folk song, smartly reinterpreted as a jazz piece. In fusion, the sum is often less than the parts. Here, it’s a celebration of a common spirit. “What we discovered over the years working in this music, is that there is a certain similar energy between pre-1940s jazz and Afro-Peruvian music,” says Alegría. “There is a connection, something about their spirit, so when you [bring them together], it feels really natural. We don’t play in a traditional jazz style, but it’s not about harmonies or a certain rhythm. It’s about the intention in the playing. There is a joy, a positive energy, that is present in the jazz esthetic of musicians like Louis Armstrong. This same esthetic is also present in Afro-Peruvian music.”

Darrell Grant -||- Truth And Reconciliation [Origin]

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African American, Darrell Grant, Jazz, Piano

Darrell Grant - Truth and Reconciliation

Darrell Grant -||- Truth And Reconciliation [Origin, 2007]

Critically acclaimed pianist/composer Darrell Grant (Betty Carter, Tony Williams, Roy Haynes, Greg Osby) describes his 6th CD as a leader as his “dream project.” The 2-disc set joins Grant with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade, and features guest appearances by Grammy-winning guitarist Bill Frisell, vibraphonist Joe Locke, saxophonist Steve Wilson, and guitarist Adam Rogers.

Grounded in jazz, Truth and Reconciliation brings together influences ranging from classical to folk and soul. In addition to showcasing the masterful piano artistry that took Grant’s 5 previous albums to the top of the radio charts, and earned his debut “Black Art” a selection as one of the Top 10 CD’s of 1994 by the New York Times, Truth and Reconciliation highlights his unique voice as a composer on the album’s 9 originals; and features deeply personal re-workings of jazz tunes – Dizzy Gillespie’s “Algo Bueno,” Betty Carter’s “Tight,” the Jerome Kern classic “The Way You Look Tonight,” pop anthems – Sheryl Crow’s “I Shall Believe,” and Sting’s “King of Pain,” as well as showcasing Grant’s vocals, which are reminiscent of Keb Mo and Milton Nascimento. Into this mix Grant masterfully weaves archival spoken word excerpts from historical figures like Gandhi, JFK, FDR, Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr.

Inspired by Grant’s own reflections on artistic truth, and profoundly influenced by his study of the struggle for justice and healing in South Africa, Truth and Reconciliation seamlessly dances between piano trio, quartet, quintet, and vocal settings, paying homage to mentors, honoring truth tellers, and celebrating beauty. It is a definitive statement by a definitive artist.

..:: Source: Origin Records ::..

Times 4 -||- ECLIPSE

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Bay Area, Jazz, Lincoln Adler, Saxophone, Times 4

Times 4 - Eclipse

San Francisco-based contemporary jazz quartet Times 4 presents a dynamic program of original instrumental compositions. Performing a fresh Bay Area blend of modern jazz and urban grooves, Times 4 delivers an uplifting musical interplay steeped in the history of friendship and common roots.

Drawing on a wide range of styles including jazz, soul, Latin, funk, hip-hop and rock, Times 4 weaves a musical tapestry that expresses their diverse roots in the San Francisco Bay Area. Driving grooves combined with inviting melodies move the band’s audience to tap their feet and feel dance in their bones.

Times 4 has shared the stage with such artists such as Anita Baker, Al Jarreau, Chris Botti, Dave Koz and Friends, Nils, Patrice Rushen, Patti Austin, Richard Elliot and Jonathan Butler. The group has performed at many fine

Times 4, The Band

venues, including Yoshi’s Oakland and San Francisco, the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, the JVC Jazz Festival, the Fillmore Jazz Festival, the North Beach Festivals, the San Jose Jazz Festival and Jazz Society Concert Series, the Mountain Winery and the Boom Boom Room. The members of Times 4 have, together and individually, traveled the world contributing their talents to a wide range of musical projects with many renowned artists, and have recorded music on over 25 distinguished record labels.

Here’s a review of their previous album titled Relations.

..:: Source: Times4music.com ::..