Best of 2008: Drum Kit, Large Ensemble Album, Brazilian Jazz Album

Today’s results include a couple of new categories to the Best of the Year Awards – Large Ensemble Album of the Year and Brazilian Jazz Album of the Year. The Latin Jazz world is expanding, and that was readily apparent in 2008. A couple of outstanding albums rose to represent these categories, getting them off to a good start. So check out our results for Drum Kit Player, Large Ensemble Album, and Brazilian Jazz Album – enjoy!

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Best Brazilian Jazz Album of 2008: Lua e Sol, Mark Weinstein
When flautist Mark Weinstein releases an album, it’s fair to expect quality, integrity, and an exciting journey through whatever style he chooses to explore – he lives up to those expectations and even exceeds them on his fantastic 2008 Brazilian Jazz release Lua e Sol. He collaborates with some of New York’s finest Brazilian musicians here – two members of Trio da Paz, guitarist Romero Lubambo and bassist Nilson Matta, along with percussionist Cyro Baptista. Between these musicians’ vast experience in the genre and Weinstein’s keen insights; the music stays true to the roots of the style. In all of Weinstein’s Latin Jazz explorations, he has always made a point of respecting the music’s heritage, and he does that here through the interpretation of important Brazilian composers such as Pixiguinha, João Donato, and Gilberto Gil. It wouldn’t be a Weinstein release without a sense of creative exploration though, and he gives us a treat by leaving ample room for the musicians to assert their personalities. Changing textures, interactive exchanges, and free-form improvisation all appear through the album, keeping a jazz spirit alive and make the ride quite interesting. Weinstein once again shows us that there is so much to appreciate in the realm of Brazilian Jazz and that he has something interesting to say about it. All these elements made Lua e Sol an essential piece of Brazilian Jazz from 2008 that you’ve got to hear!

Best Large Ensemble Album of 2008: Song For Chico, Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra
Pianist Arturo O’Farrill has committed himself completely to the idea of The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra over the years, and that passion, integrity, and style radiates in large quantities from Song For Chico. Originally an ensemble sponsored by Jazz At Lincoln Center, The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra followed the organization’s mission of keeping jazz alive by incorporating a good deal of classic material into their repertoire. O’Farrill knew that the group couldn’t just look back though, and he kept the ensemble heading into the future of Latin Jazz with concerts that touched on tango, bassists, original commissions, and more. The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra parted ways with Lincoln Center in 2007, but O’Farrill realized his mission was important; he found a new home for the group at New York’s Symphony Space and programmed a season’s worth of concerts. Song For Chico brings the group to a world audience and it demonstrates that through all the ups and downs, the group remains one of the most important institutions for Latin Jazz today. The tracks include classic repertoire from Ellington, Puente, and Chico O’Farrill, performed with the intensity and style of the original innovators. The group looks ahead with original compositions from Dafnis Prieto, Jim Seeley, and Arturo O’Farrill, making an important statement that Latin Jazz has a future as well as a past. The arrangements are thick with jazz harmony and fueled with passionate Cuban rhythms. It’s an unstoppable ensemble, filled with some of New York’s best Latin Jazz musicians that takes it’s role in the music’s history quite seriously. Song For Chico makes their mission quite clear, and it’s a must-hear experience for 2008 Latin Jazz.

Best Latin Jazz Drum Kit Player of 2008: Hugo Alcazar
Peruvian Drummer Hugo Alcazar has been on the forefront of the mixture between jazz and traditional Peruvian music, combining his extensive experience with both styles. He grew up in Lima, Peru, jumping into drum studies at the young age of seven. He began his professional career by the time he was 19, and moved right into the National Conservatory of Music. At the same time, Alcazar maintained a focus upon traditional Peruvian music, studying cajon with Juan “Cotito” Medrano, Leonardo “Gigio” Parodi and Freddy “Huevito” Lobatón. In Peru, Alcazar has recorded extensively with Latin Jazz flautist César Peredo, taking part in the 1999 release Despertando, the 2000 recording Pensamento, the 2004 album Cosas de Negro, and the 2007 release Mas Clientes Que Nunca. The word of Alcazar’s talents has spread, and he has performed with a number of jazz musicians from the States, both in Peru and abroad. The list of musicians that have utilized his talents include the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Bobby Shew, Ingrid Johnson, Mark Levine, and Geoffrey Keezer. His work with trumpeter Gabriel Alegria’s Afro-Peruvian Jazz Sextet has really allowed Alcazar to spread his talents on a world stage. His playing on Alegria’s 2008 release Nuevo Mundo effortlessly moves between burning swing and intensive Afro-Peruvian rhythms, showing the natural relation between the two styles. As the group prepares for a 2009 tour, we’ll hope to hear more fantastic playing from Alcazar!