In a constant search to improve the site for the Latin Jazz community, I’ve been rethinking the mission statement of Latin Jazz Corner recently – I’d like to think that LJC works towards promotion, education, and support in the Latin Jazz world, covering the past, present and future of the music. Delving into the music’s past offers many learning opportunities. Looking historically at the music teaches all of us about the path of the masters and instills a respect for the various cultures that have supplied the basis of this art form. At the same time, we need to keep our eyes on the musicians creating today’s great Latin Jazz statements, realizing that while history has given us some outstanding music, there’s plenty of important work happening currently. Sometimes this can seem overwhelming, but keeping an active ear around new music allows one to feel the Latin Jazz scene’s current heartbeat. The hardest piece of the picture lies in following the future of the art form though, looking at the artists that will supply us with the major statements of tomorrow’s music scene. For a while, I’ve been stuck here, but in reality, there are plenty of young people investing huge energy into the Latin Jazz world. With a little research and help from my friends on Twitter, I’ve moved towards some young artists that hold the potential to fuel tomorrow’s scene. We’ll start looking at one of those artists today . . .

Pianist Chase Morrin, a teenager in San Diego, California, has built a strong reputation among the city’s music scene and put together an impressive Latin Jazz ensemble, The Latin Connection Quintet. Showing impressive skills at a young age, Morrin started teaching himself piano at the age of 8 and began private lessons in 2002. After only a short time, Morrin has garnered numerous awards, including compositions awards from ASCAP, the Herb Alpert Scholarship for Emerging Young Artists, and the 2009 Downbeat Student Music Award for Outstanding High School Performance – Best Latin Group, among others. Now at the ripe old age of 15, Morrin has become a regular fixture on the San Diego music scene, playing up to four nights a week and studying with some of the city’s best musicians, including pianist Geoffrey Keezer. With his attention now firmly placed upon Latin Jazz, Morrin has gathered top musical peers in his local scene to form his Latin Jazz project, including saxophonist Chris Burgess, timbalero Fernando Gomez, conguero Daniel Feldman, and bassist Michael Valentini. Bringing together a combination of Morrin’s original compositions and each member’s advanced performance skills, the group infuses Latin Jazz with a next generation level energy; they’ve got a great start into the Latin Jazz world – keep your eyes on this group!

The group will be releasing their first album soon – we’ll make a point of letting you know about it here at The Latin Jazz Corner – but for now, you’ve got a chance to check out the group in action at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. The group performs one of Morrin’s original compositions, “Mas Puntos,” featuring impressive improvisations from Morrin, Burgess, and Gomez. There’s a sense of enthusiasm and excited exploration that accompanies youthful performance, injecting a contagious power into the music and a love for music that radiates into the audience. At the same time, the musicians display a finely tuned level of craftsmanship that pushes their performance beyond simple adrenaline – this is applied technique and musicianship that looks far beyond the teenage years. So take a minute to check out Morrin’s group and look at one potential future track for the Latin Jazz world. Enjoy!

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“Mas Puntos” from Chase Morrin & The Latin Connection Quintet

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Morrin & his group will be performing TONIGHT, July 7 at the Catalina Bar & Grill. If you’re lucky enough to be in the Hollywood area tonight, go out and support this group!
CHASE MORRIN & THE LATIN CONNECTION QUINTET
CD Release Celebration
WHEN: Tuesday 7/7/09
WHERE: Catalina Bar & Grill
6725 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
TIME: 8:00 p.m.
TICKETS: $5 cover & 2 drink minimum

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Do you have a video to contribute to satisfy our weekly Latin Jazz video fix? If so, send it in – it’s time to feed our addiction. I’m looking for live performances, from any context. I’ll most likely be posting one video per week, but if you’ve got another idea, let’s talk. So come on Latin Jazz videographers, musicians, and fans – let’s share some of our memorable videos! Get my contact info HERE

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Check Out These Related Posts:
Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: “Yo No Como Camote” by Edward Perez
Manny Oquendo’s Influence: Libre Members Working As Bandleaders
Focusing The Spotlight: Looking Into Craig Enright’s Sidemen
Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix: The Making Of Off & On, The Music Of Moacir Santos, Mark Levine & The Latin Tinge

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