The evolution of jazz has always been a process driven by personality and individuality. As a result, the music’s history is ripe with important names and faces that have broke new musical ground, pushed boundaries, and ensured the survival of an often under appreciated art form. These musicians achieved an admirable goal through their musical statements – one that required an abundance of passion, unparalleled insight, unhampered creativity, and more risk than most artists take in their lives. This is a task that few musicians have the integrity to accomplish and it’s an undertaking that unfortunately even fewer people in the general public tend to remember. While these individuals will eventually move out of the spotlight, their contributions will live on through the music. As a result, we simply can’t let their names and faces fade into the background of our cultural landscape; we need to cherish their individuality and keep their personalities alive.

Jerry and Andy Gonzalez are two Latin Jazz musicians that have symbolized risk, passion, and creative energy more than any other throughout the last several decades. Their work reflects this type of unequaled dedication to artistic integrity, and their output across recordings and live performance changed the state of the Latin Jazz world. As young musicians, they spent all their time playing jazz and digging into the history of Latin music, building the foundation for their impressive musicianship. This led to high profile sideman gigs with some of the best musicians in the genre, including Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, and more. Not satisfied with becoming regulars upon the Latin dance scene, the two musicians pushed artistic boundaries with Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental Nuevoyorquino. Together with legendary timbalero Manny Oquendo, the brothers formed Conjunto Libre, a cutting edge dance band that integrated improvisation and jazz aesthetics. Hoping to continue their deep interest in jazz, the brothers created The Fort Apache Band, a large group that evolved into a sextet that created a completely new and free approach to Latin Jazz. Both Jerry and Andy found their way into individual projects as well, spreading the impact of their musicianship far and wide. These two musicians exerted a massive influence upon the genre and as a result, both Andy and Jerry have a legion of Latin Jazz insiders that owe them an amazing artistic debt of gratitude.

The Gonzalez Brothers will be recognized for their contributions to the Latin Jazz world this weekend with two concerts dedicated to their music from Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. In a program that combines pieces from various eras in the Gonzalez brothers’ careers, both Jerry and Andy will join O’Farrill and the award winning Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra on stage. O’Farrill has worked with both Gonzalez brothers extensively, and he has translated his experience into an original composition, The Fort Apache Concerto. It promises to be two nights of music that will both look into the past and examine the future, but most importantly recognize the immeasurable impact of Jerry and Andy Gonzalez upon Latin Jazz. In anticipation of this event, today’s Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix is dedicated to the Gonzalez Brothers and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. You’ll find four videos below; three that highlight some of the fantastic music that the Gonzalez Brothers have produced and one that shows the band that will be honoring them. It’s an exciting combination that promises to spotlight the best of the past and the present and honor two of the genre’s most important musicians; if you’re in New York this weekend, don’t miss it!

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Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band

Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental Nuevayorquino

Andy & Jerry Gonzalez With Conjunto Libre

Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra Performing “Song For Chico”

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ARTURO O’FARRILL & THE AFRO LATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA HONOR JERRY & ANDY GONZALEZ
WHEN: Friday 10/14/11 – Saturday 10/15/11
WHERE: Symphony Space
2537 Broadway
New York, NY
TIME: 8:00 p.m.
TICKETS: $30 – $50

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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:
Revisiting Latin Jazz Classics: Ya Yo Me Cure, Jerry Gonzalez
Latin Jazz Conversations: Arturo O’Farrill (Part 5)
Latin Jazz Conversations: Andy Gonzalez (Part 2)
Latin Jazz Conversations: Oscar Hernandez (Part 1)

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