Omar Sosa | Mulatos

Tags

Afro-Cuban, Jazz, Omar Sosa, Piano

Back in 2004, the phenomenal Afro-Cuban pianist Omar Sosa rocked the music world by winning a Grammy award in the “Latin Jazz” category for his fascinating masterpiece “Mulatos”.

Omar Sosa | Mulatos – [Otá Records, 2004]

Omar Sosa - Mulatos

This is Omar Sosa’s breakthrough cd. I have heard Sosa in several less satisfying formats[solo, duo’s, etc] and in his dabbling in hip hop and I am thrilled to write that he has reached his pinnacle in this expanded setting. First of all Sosa’s music warrants additional colors and shades that a larger supporting cast gives it. Secondly the hip hop segments in previous cd’s like Sentir and Prietos were badly out of place and just succeeded in having me “skip” them on otherwise decent cd’s.

Apparently Sosa received similar advice because the rap crap is nowhere to be found on Mulato’s. What is left is interesting, catchy world jazz music. Sosa’s playing is “Monk like” and percussive but it is his compositions and arrangements that are the stars. The supporting musicians while completely able are more of an ensemble preaching Sosa’s wonderful compositional “message“.

To describe the content of the cd is as complex as some of the music. Think Latin, African, Caribbean with a little dixieland. A real gumbo like Sosa himself. —M. Murphy

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::

Ignacio Berroa | Codes

Tags

African American, Afro-Cuban, Drums, Jazz, Percussion

“Ignacio plays with intelligence, taste, fire, and soul. His playing combines the finest aspects of Afro-Cuban and American styles of drumming (…) When you hear him play it just makes you feel good, just like a good hot bowl of gumbo!” – Wynton Marsalis

Ignacio Berroa | Codes – [Blue Records, 2006]

Ignacio Berroa, Codes

Ignacio Berroa has been recognized by many as one of the greatest drummers of our times. His numerous contributions to the American music scene have earned him a place among a very selective group of artists known to have set new musical trends for the 20th century. Jazz Legend Dizzy Gillespie best defined Ignacio as:…”The only Latin drummer in the world, in the history of American music that intimately knows both worlds; his native Afro-Cuban music as well as Jazz…”Highly respected among his peers, Ignacio’s musicianship and versatility have enabled him to build a successful career by gaining the recognition of some of the most important artists in the business.

As an educator he first made his mark by becoming an Adjunct Faculty Instructor at Florida International University from 1991 to 1994. Later in 1995, he released his video “Mastering The Art of Afro-Cuban Drumming” under Warner Bros Publications , deemed by Downbeat magazine as the best instructional video of the year. His books, “Groovin’ In Clave” and “A New Way of Groovin”, distributed by Carl Fischer are great tools to learn independence, Afro-Cuban grooves as well as mixing the Rumba clave with other styles like Rock, Funk and Brazilian. – Biography

Source: www.ignacioberroa.com/

Yosvany Terry Cabrera | Metamorphosis

Tags

African American, Afro-Cuban, Jazz, Saxophone

Latin Jazz lovers, this one’s for you! I’ve been wanting Yosvany Terry Cabrera’s “Metamorphosis” for a long time and finally it’s here in my hands via iTunes! If you seriously dig Afro-Cuban Jazz, this joint by saxophonist Cabrera is definitely the one to listen to and pick up at your leisure. ~ The Urban Flux

Yosvany Terry Cabrera | Metamorphosis – [Kindred Rhythm, 2006]

Yosvany Terry Cabrera

Born in Cuba, Terry received his early music training from his father, Eladio “Don Pancho” Terry, Cuba’s leading chekeré player and the founder/director of Orquesta Maravillas de Florida, one of Cuba’s most important charanga bands. Continuing his music studies in Cuba, Terry attended the National School of Art (ENA) and Amadeo Roldan Conservatory. He played with many legendary and influential artists such as Chucho Valdés, Cubanismo and Silvio Rodriguez. Later Terry formed his own group, the innovative Columna B, which, as Cuban pianist Omar Sosa has said in an interview, took “Cuban jazz in a different direction” and was “his favorite band at that time” (Latin Beat Magazine, Tom Ehrlich). Soon, Terry and Columna B were touring in both the U.S. and Europe. Open to the many influences in the international music scene, Terry’s music continued to evolve, incorporating other styles such as American jazz and timba music from Cuba. “We learned how to polish and develop our craft in a very special and intuitive sense,” reflects Terry.

Robby Ameen | Days in The Life

Tags

Afro-Cuban, Drums, Jazz, Robby Ameen

What a week for great music this has been, it’s an honor to present to you on today the Afro-Latin Jazz and modern-funk flavors of drummer Robby Ameen …

Robby Ameen

Robby Ameen | Days in The Life [TWO AND FOUR RECORDS, 2009]

This is new burning creative jazz which has afro-Cuban, straight-ahead, and post- modern funk influences played by musicians with a lifetime rapport.

BIO: During the time that Robby Ameen has spent living in New York City since the early eighties he has compiled a recording career stretching from Dizzy Gillespie to Paul Simon, while maintaining a more than twenty year relationship with Latin icon Ruben Blades as a member of Seis del Solar. Although he is of Lebanese origin, Robby is best known for the unique and powerful Afro-Cuban jazz style he has developed. Growing up in New Haven, Connecticut, Robby was able to take advantage of his proximity to New York City by going to clubs and hearing many of the great jazz masters at a very young age. At the same time, he was involved in the local jazz and Latin scene, as well as later attending Yale University, where he received a BA in literature. His jazz roots were strongly influenced by his studies with the great Ed Blackwell in high school, while in college he studied classical percussion with the renowned Fred Hinger.

Source: CDBaby.com/RobbyAmeen.com