The Best of 2008 Winners have thrust some interesting musicians into the forefront of the Latin Jazz scene. It’s been an exciting process, and a bit of an educational one for me. I’ve tried to include biographical information as I can, so take a minute and check out the Best Latin Jazz Bass Player, Piano Player, and Percussionist of 2008!

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Best Latin Jazz Bass Player of 2008: Roberto Koch
Bass player Roberto Koch may not be a name well known to the traditional Latin Jazz crowd, but he has established himself as an in-demand sideman in the Venezuelan jazz community. Koch jumped into music during his childhood in Caracas, experimenting with the violin at age 6, and eventually moving onto piano and double bass. Performance became a passion and he pursued higher studies in music, eventually earning a Masters Degree in Double Bass from the Lino Gallardo School of Music in 2003. During his time in school, he joined the Venezuelan music ensemble Grupo Onkora, an interesting ensemble that blends traditional Venezuelan music with jazz and pop styles. As a member of Grupo Onkora, Koch recorded the album Con El Tiempo and performed with Gary Burton and Chick Corea. As Koch moved further into his professional career, he worked as a sideman with a variety of Venezuelan jazz artists such as guitarist Aquiles Baez, vibraphonist Alfredo Naranjo, and pianist Leo Blanco. He recorded with Baez on Reflejando El Dorao and La Patilla, with saxophonist Pablo Gil on Major Delights, and Bernardo Padrón on Seadance. It was his work on flautist Marco Granados’ Music of Venezuela that captured the attention of LJC readers this year. The album stands as a wonderful introduction to Koch’s fine work - he traverses the arrangements with grace and style, and he improvises singing solos with ease. It’s a fantastic point of entry to one of the rising bass voices in the Latin Jazz world.

Best Latin Jazz Piano Player of 2008: Otmaro Ruiz
Venezuelan pianist Otmaro Ruiz has spent a lifetime immersed in the music world, taking him between his home country and the United States. Born in Caracas, Ruiz showed an early love for music and built upon this with studies at the Juan Manuel Olivares Conservatory. These early studies supplied Ruiz with a solid foundation that included music theory, ear training, classical guitar lessons, classical organ studies, and piano training. At an older age, Ruiz refocused his studies upon biology, but professional experience as a musician changed his direction back towards music. Ruiz worked extensively as a musician in Venezuela, performing with some of the country’s best jazz, pop, and rock musicians; he also refined his skills as a producer and arranger through years of daily recordings with Musica & Letra, a radio and jingle company. Ruiz moved to Los Angeles in 1989, pursuing a Master’s Degree in jazz studies, which he completed in 1993. During this time, he began performing extensively with percussionist Alex Acuña, recording on the 1990 album Alex Acuña & the Unknowns and the 1991 release Thinking of You. He fell into a wealth of studio work throughout the 1990s, recording with Arturo Sandoval, Richie Zellon, Frank Gambale, and many more. Ruiz recorded several albums as a leader during this time, including the 1993 album Distant Friends and the 1996 release Nothing to Hide. It was his 2008 release Sojourn that caught the attention of LJC readers - rooted in both traditional Latin Jazz and contemporary music, it features some Latin Jazz heavy hitters, including drummer Jimmy Branly and bassist Carlos Del Puerto Jr. It’s a wonderful way to jump into the work of this fine pianist.

Best Latin Jazz Percussionist of 2008: Diego Alvarez
Percussionist Diego Alvarez brings a new meaning to the word virtuosic with his work on the cajon and beyond. He takes traditional Venezuelan rhythms and provides a solid foundation to any musical situation. Alvaraz understands how to push the music to the next level with his technical abilities, all the while holding onto the essence of any genre. His balance between musicality and technique makes him a fantastically interactive player, engaging any artist in complex conversational performances. His work on Aquiles Baez’s La Patilla stood out during 2008 - he serves as a fantastic counterpart to Baez’s incredible rhythmic work on both the guitar and cuatro. With much to learn about this wonderful musician, LJC will have to stay on the lookout for more incredible work from Alvarez in 2009!

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Check back tomorrow for the Best Drum Kit Player, Large Ensemble Album, and Brazilian Jazz Album of the Year!

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