When creating the guidelines for the Best of 2009 Awards, many of the parameters seem self-evident. Since the awards deal with the past year, all of the music needs to be created during the course of the calendar year. It’s a time sensitive event that allows us to reflect upon the year and highlight the outstanding work from select musicians. Latin Jazz fans around the world need to have the possibility to fairly assess the entries – since performances are generally localized, the only logical way to do this is through recordings. While everyone may not hear every possible option, at least they can track it down if they choose. The nominated musicians need to contribute to the albums in a significant and meaningful way. While guest artists may add spice to a musical experience at times, it’s the musicians that form the core experience that make an album special. Everything seems cut and dry in the bulk of the awards; when it comes down to nominee selection, musicians either qualify or they don’t. The tough part arrives when lists need to be narrowed or when readers need to make the actual voting choices.

All categories are not created equally though – the Hall Of Fame category seems more difficult to define and the parameters appear less concrete for the nominees. This is the one category that steps out of the present day; in fact, nominees should ideally come from the past. These musicians may be alive or they may have died, but their legacies need to survive into the present day. Hall of Fame nominees need to contribute to the Latin Jazz world over the course of many years and in many cases, their impact lasts over several decades. Their nomination isn’t strictly confined to their performance on a single album, but rather a large body of work. A lengthier career allows these musicians the opportunity to create a number of recordings and document every stage of their musical growth. Time and recorded output can’t be the only factor that makes them significant though; it’s totally possible for a musician to perform for decades and only make superficial recordings. These musicians need to leave a meaningful mark upon the Latin Jazz world either through their performance techniques, compositions, or band leader skills. They need to offer new ideas and convince the world that their artistic concepts merit further study and mastery by a new generation. The truly legendary figures actually complete this mission and their music lives through performance by future generations.

In reality, these names come quickly – they are they musicians that we’ve studied, heard, and followed throughout our musical journeys. I’m dedicating today’s Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix to three of our Hall Of Fame nominees – three of those names that just pop to the front of the list when considering the greater spectrum of Latin Jazz. The first video features the great Cuban bassist Israel “Cachao” Lopez who gave us the mambo and the descarga. The second clip highlights the Argentinean master composer and bandoneon player Astor Piazzolla, performing his classic piece “Adiós Nonino.” The last film finds revolutionary Brazilian musician Hermeto Pascoal performing his piece “Rebuliço.” These are three masters currently in the running for the Hall Of Fame Award – check them out and make your vote! Enjoy!

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Israel “Cachao” Lopez & Su Descarga

Astor Piazzolla Performing “Adiós Nonino”

Hermeto Pascoal Performing “Rebuliço”

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Want to hear more from these Hall Of Fame Nominees? Check out these albums:

Israel “Cachao” Lopez: Ahora Si

Astor Piazzolla: Adios Nonino

Hermeto Pascoal: Montreux Jazz Festival

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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:
Exploring Latin Jazz: From Pop Star To Artistic Innovator – Two Sides Of Tango
Essential Cachao Recordins, Part 1: Cachao In Cuba
Exploring Latin Jazz: Analysis & Questions About Nuevo Tango
Remembering A Legend: Israel “Cachao” Lopez (1918 – 2008)

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