Latin Jazz artists exploring new musical territory need to decide whether they will prioritize structure or concept. Structure arises in many forms, and it often serves as the music’s organizational foundation. Latin styles create a powerful structure through interlocking rhythms that align an ensemble’s phrasing. Song form forces a harmonic structure, requiring musicians to follow a repeating series of chords. Concept, on the other hand, goes beyond connecting musical pieces; it prioritizes a musician’s personality and artistic beliefs above technical issues. A strong concept allows musicians to organize ideas in unique ways without compromising artistic integrity; rather it strengthens the depth of the music. William Cepeda’s International Quintet focuses upon a strong concept centered around improvisational liberties and personal statement on Unity, exploring freedom extensively while displaying larges doses of musicality.

Extended Performances Filled With Personal Statements
Several tracks stretch beyond ten minutes, giving the musicians ample time to build their statements. Bassist Pedro Giraudo and keyboardist Uli Geissendoerfer create a funky groove over a loosely sketched salsa rhythm while Cepeda performs a rhythmic melody on conch shell to open “Unity.” Cepeda builds his solo methodically through angular rhythmic lines, receiving an enthusiastic response from Geissendoerfer’s sharp chordal punches. The rhythm section provides new texture behind saxophonist Mike Webster’s solo through the addition of synthesizer and shekere, allowing him to create a passionate statement that utilizes his syncopated rhythms and high register notes. The band lowers the dynamic level for Geissendoerfer’s piano solo that grows from small pentatonic phrases to intensive montuno patterns. Giraudo moves through a strong thematic development in his improvisation, leading back into the melody. Percussionist Abdou Mboup introduces “Entre Nos” with a conga solo, playing over a Latin fusion groove. After a lengthy melody, Geissendoerfer attacks his solos with fast runs and aggressive rhythmic punches. Webster waits for the band to thin the texture before moving through extreme register shifts and syncopated tension to create a statement. Cepeda demonstrates impressive technique on the conch shell, garnering a strong reaction to repeated melodic lines and staccato phrases. As Cepeda switches to trombone, he engages in a collective improvisation with Webster, as they stretch the song’s tonal center and rhythmic core. A reflective melody floats over a 6/8 rhythm on “Y Si Llegan,” built around intertwining melodic lines. Cepeda constructs an interesting idea, consistently altering his emphasis to touch each corner of the rhythmic basis. Geissendoerfer and Giraudo disappear behind Webster’s solo, allowing him to disregard key centers and build an intensively personal statement. Each piece prioritizes the musician’s personal expression, bending rhythmic and harmonic norms to allow each band member room to create.

Exploring a Variety of Approaches
Other songs explore concepts of freedom through different means. Drummer Andrés Patrick Forero aggressively begins a 6/8 groove over Giraudo’s vamp on “Yodo,” leading into a series of short melodic bursts. Cepeda alternates between long bold phrases and forced syncopated ideas on his improvisation, building into a melodic interlude. Geissendoerfer relies upon thematic development to structure his ideas, eventually building into a climax through rhythmic tension. The group revisits the song’s Latin roots as Mboup and Cepeda trade percussion ideas over Forero’s constant foundation. The ensemble creates a mysterious mood until “Beautifull You” enters into an introspective and uplifting melody. Geissendoerfer follows this feeling, constructing his statement around major sounds with a blues tinge. The rhythm section returns to a minor mode for Cepeda’s assertive solo, full of percussive figures. Cepeda stretches his improvisation into a lengthy section, playing off the rhythm section’s enthusiastic support. The band enters an understated swing ballad on “Will You,” with Cepeda’s muted trombone playing a carefully phrased melody. The written part slowly fades into improvisation, inspired by a gentle interplay between Cepeda and Webster. Cepeda takes advantage of space and texture, placing each phrase within a precisely timed space. After a short return to the melody, Cepeda explores an unaccompanied cadenza, closing the piece with strong line. Geissendoerfer improvises briefly over a 6/8 rhythm on “El Coco #9,” giving way to a short melody. Cepeda takes his time improvising, leaving interactive space for the rhythm section. He guides the band into a heightened dynamic through his bold phrases over syncopated background lines. After a strong improvisation from Geissendoerfer, Mboup makes a strong statement through the different tones on his talking drum. Each track brings a free aesthetic to the use of diverse rhythms, textural support, and improvised sections with a constant emphasis upon the musician.

Moving Beyond Traditional Structure
Cepeda and his International Quintet’s concept outweighs the limits of traditional structure on Unity, allowing them freedom to alter the norms within a Latin Jazz realm. They take liberties with the Latin genres in order to prioritize personal expression, approaching each rhythm slightly outside typical patterns. The styles remain familiar enough to connect the songs to tradition while the flexibility helps the musicians break from stereotypical performances. At the same time, rhythmic phrasing during improvisations and specific percussion sounds connect the songs to established styles. The beauty of the recording lies in the strength each artist’s improvisational skills, and their willingness to take risks both harmonically and rhythmically. The band consistently supports each musician’s new direction, displaying confident interaction and a unified performance aesthetic. Although the compositions stand as preconceived notions, each moment contains a sense of discovery guided by the musician’s explorations. The band consistently creates new structure by organizing their ideas around a unified concept, pushing Latin Jazz into a new set of norms.

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