The Ongoing Path of Discovery - Chiemi Nakai, Carlos Del Pino, & David Eure on video

I’ve almost always got my fill of music to hear, but I’m always on the lookout for something new. When I find a musician that catches my attention, I’ve drawn to their music. I thrive on hearing their work and investigating their unique slant on traditional Latin Jazz approaches. I love to find new arranging ideas, improvisational concepts, and performance voices. I’m floored by connections to their influences and marvel at the historical lineage that they represent. When I hear an especially strong album, I’m always curious about the sidemen and eventually look into them as artists on their own merit. The thrill of discovery drives my constant quest to hear new Latin Jazz recordings, creating an ongoing path from one Latin Jazz project to the next.

When I discover a new artist that leaves me inspired, I tend to look for more music or information that will give me more insight about that artist; recently I’ve been on the search for more music involving Chiemi Nakai. Her album with Emmanuel “Manu” Bizeau, Bridges, remains a constant presence on my iPod. I’ve visited her MySpace and her own website, finding more music and background information. I investigated other artists that employed Nakai as a side person, such as Jimmy Bosch, garnering little results. I also searched for videos on YouTube, a common practice for me when looking for more music from artists. I found several videos featuring Nakai that quenched my thirst for performance . . . but they also sent me down my path of discovery.

Each video that featured Nakai also featured a bassist named Carlos del Pino. I recognized the name from Nakai’s album; he had performed on several tracks. The first two video that I found showcased Nakai’s exceptional playing and also included del Pino, primarily serving in a supportive role. When I reached the third video, the roles had switched and Nakai provided a foundation while del Pino displayed his abilities as a bandleader and soloist. His musical presence was awe-inspiring; his technical virtuosity amazed me and his pure musical development revealed a developed concept. I hung on every note, following his musical directions with rapt attention. As the video finished, I sat and thought about the performance; my thoughts told me one thing - I had to hear more!

My search switched gears and suddenly I found myself on del Pino’s website, searching for more information, asking myself how I could have missed such an incredible Cuban bassist. I found a wealth of new music, but I still needed more. I reviewed del Pino’s performances and came across an unfamiliar name. This was just the start of another journey, the discovery of yet another fantastic musician - violinist David Eure. I quickly found some YouTube videos and Eure’s MySpace. Once again, I’d encountered a string of inspiring musicians - these types of searches always inspire me and fuel my love for Latin Jazz.

I thought that I’d share my discoveries with you here. The first two videos feature Nakai with del Pino on bass, while the third video showcases del Pino’s amazing abilities, and the last video presents violinist David Eure. I hope that you find the same sort of inspiration that I did - enjoy!

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Chiemi Nakai with Carlos del Pino and Emmanuel “Manu” Bizeau