I am pleased to introduce the next phase of Latin Jazz Corner with the first episode of the LJC podcast. I’ll be delivering a regular audio show that will be extending the LJC experience and giving you yet another way to indulge your passion for Latin Jazz. Some of the familiar elements that you know and love in LJC will find their way into the podcast – in particular, I’ll be integrating the Latin Jazz Conversations into the podcast. While you won’t be reading the interviews on the site, you’ll be hearing them in the
podcast. I’m hoping that this will provide a fuller experience for you as you hear the artists’ voices and get a better idea of the meaning behind their words. There will also be some new opportunities to hear music and get a sense of what’s coming onto the scene now. I’m excited at all the possibilities lying there in the podcast; I hope that it can become another great resource for the Latin Jazz community.
In our first episode, I’ll be introducing the podcast and giving some background on its creation, I’ll be talking about Latin Jazz and the Grammys, digging into some information on pianist Bill O’Connell’s career, and then presenting my interview with O’Connell where we talk about his latest album, Triple Play Plus Three.
Remember, this is a podcast for the Latin Jazz community, so if you’ve got ideas, thoughts, or comments, please send me a message and let me know. You can send your podcast comments HERE.
IMPORTANT ALBUMS:
John Santos And The Machete Ensemble, Machete
John Santos And The Machete Ensemble, Tribute To The Masters
John Santos And The Machete Ensemble, S.F. Bay
John Santos And The Machete Ensemble, Machetazo!: 10 Years On The Edge
The John Santos Quintet, Papa Mambo
The John Santos Quintet, Perspectiva Fragmentada
The John Santos Sextet, Filosofía Caribeña, Vol. 1
Live albums are an important part of any artist’s career, especially for a jazz musician, who will generally revisit the practice several times. Jazz albums are often recorded live in a studio with limited overdubs, but this is a completely different experience. Capturing a performance in front of an audience doesn’t simply collect a series of notes and rhythms, it records the total experience for future posterity. A live recording gathers the spontaneous risks (or lack thereof) that an artist takes and makes them evident to all listeners. It exposes the artist’s relationship with their audience and reveals a greater sense of their personality. Live recordings are more than a simple snapshot of a time and place, they are a brutally honest and exposed picture of an artist in their natural element.
Harmonica player and vibraphonist Hendrik Meurkens has released a string a fantastic Brazilian Jazz albums, but his recent album Live At Bird’s Eye stands as a wonderful example of his top notch performance skills. Recorded live in Basel, Switzerland, from two runs at Bird’s Eye Jazz Club in 2008 and 2010, the album showcases Meurkens’ working band running through a combination of Brazilian classics and original tunes. The band provides an ample amount of addictive swing and creative energy, contributing greatly to the album’s memorable nature. Drummer Adriano Santos, bassist Gustavo Amarante, and pianist Misha Tsinganov all navigate the various grooves with a driving proficiency and keep the proceedings loose and spontaneous. Meurkens plays with an experienced zest that both leads the group with a commanding presence and playfully indulges the inspirational setting. On slower pieces such as “Estate” and “Dindi,” Meurkens’ harmonica resonates with a lush lyricism, both romantic and insightful. On more upbeat songs like Joao Donato’s “Amazonas” and Sergio Mendes’ “Noa Noa,” Meurkens takes to the vibraphone and attacks the music with melodic ingenuity and a percussive intensity. The two original pieces reveal another side to Meurkens’ rich musicianship as he deftly handles the role of composer. On “Sambatropolis,” Meurkens delivers a Latin Jazz gem with a rhythmic melody that swings fiercely over a driving groove while “Lingua De Mosquito” finds him diving deep into the Brazilian choro tradition. There’s a broad range of colors expressed throughout Live At Bird’s Eye that captures the true essence of Meurkens’ group in the unique way that could only come through a live recording.
Meurkens puts his vast musicianship on full display in Live At Bird’s Eye, letting his listening audience get the full effect of his live performances. He plays with an equal amount of experience and enthusiasm, filling the date with an intelligent and approachable personality. The band supports Meurkens with skill, knowledge, and creativity, making the recording a lively ride that can easily be repeated with equal amounts of excitement. In honor of the outstanding music on Live At Bird’s Eye, today’s Weekly Latin Jazz Video Fix is dedicated to Meurkens. Three of these videos find Meurkens performing some outstanding Brazilian Jazz with the same quartet from the album while one of these pieces places him among some top-notch jazz musicians. All of the clips show Meurkens performing live though, giving you an idea of the excellent musical experience that you can find on Live At Bird’s Eye, an album well worth hearing – enjoy!
———- Hendrik Meurkens Quartet Performing “Amazonas”
Hendrik Meurkens Quartet Performing “A Felicidade”
Hendrik Meurkens Quartet Performing “A Night In Jakarta”
Hendrik Meurkens With An All-Star Jazz Group Performing “Bolero Para Paquito”
———-
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.
Latin Jazz This Week will bring you a weekly look into news from the Latin Jazz world. You’ll find new releases, recommended performances, web finds, and more. You can check out some current sounds in the Listening Center tab at the top of the page.
NEWS
The LJC Best Of 2011 Awards are right around the corner with voting beginning in early December. I’ve been preparing a list of nominees that I’ll be announcing when voting begins, but I do want to involve everyone in the discussion. I’ll be previewing some of my nominees as well as asking for suggestions throughout the next week on the Latin Jazz Corner Facebook Page. So if you haven’t already, head over now, “LIKE” LJC, and get into the planning for the Best Of 2011 Awards!
NPR captured Miguel Zenón’s recent performance at The Newport Jazz Festival, where he not only has his regular quartet featuring Luis Perdomo on piano, Hans Glawischnig on bass, and Henry Cole on drums, but also a large woodwind ensemble directed by Guillermo Klein. The group plays tracks from Zenón’s most recent album Alma Adentro, really bringing the music to life – the combination of the live woodwind group and Zenón’s improvisations are just stunning. As an added bonus, the stream has a portion of a performance from The Mingus Big Band as well. You don’t want to miss this live performance from Miguel Zenón.
Bassist Nilson Matta has been known in the jazz world for his specialty with Brazilian music, but mostly as a sideman; he has spent a good deal of time as a band leader though, fronting his group called Brazilian Voyage. In an article aimed at promoting one of the group’s recent appearances, the Columbia Daily Tribute focuses upon Matta’s role as a bandleader. There’s some good tidbits of information that any fan of Matta will want to check out; while you’re at it, you might want to revisit the LJC review of Copacabana by Nilson Matta’s Brazilian Voyage.
The elimination of 31 Grammy categories by the National Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences – including the Latin Jazz category – has begun to filter into the mainstream media once again, making a much deserved rumble. The recent spread of articles addresses the racist qualities of the actions by NARAS, pointing out the fact that the majority of the categories eliminated represented ethnic musics. With quotes from Bobby Sanabria and background information on the situation, the articles make a strong argument. You can check out the articles on the Grammy situation from The Independent, NewsTrackIndia, and Daily News And Analysis.
Brazilian Jazz legend Hermeto Pascoal recently celebrated his 75th birthday with a performance at the London Jazz Festival that found the iconic composer’s music in a variety of settings. Pascoal performed with his sextet, featuring his vocalist wife Aline Morena, and then former Pascoal pianist Jovino Santos Neto led a British big band through a set of the composer’s large ensemble arrangements. With a rare appearance like this, you can imagine that there was a bit of buzz around the internet. You can find reviews of Pascoal’s portion of the London Jazz Festival in both The Guardian and The Jazz Journal.
IMPORTANT ALBUMS: Last Tango In Paris Chapter One: Latin America Chapter Two: Hasta Siempre Chapter Three: Viva Emiliano Zapata Bolivia Under Fire Tropico Bahia The Shadow Of The Cat
IMPORTANT ALBUMS:
Bobby Matos, Live At M.O.C.A.
Jack Costanzo, Scorching The Skins
Scott Martin, Cafe Cubano
Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars, The Last Bullfighter
Bill Cunliffe, Imaginacion
Rebeca Mauleón, Descarga En California
IMPORTANT ALBUMS:
Eddie Palmieri, Palmas
Cachao, Master Sessions, Vol. 1
Tropijazz All-Stars, Live
Papo Vazquez, At The Point, Vol. 1
Conrad Herwig, Another Kind Of Blue: The Latin Side Of Miles Davis
Bill O’Connell, Triple Play Plus Three
/bill o'connell triple play plus three.jpg)
I am pleased to introduce the next phase of Latin Jazz Corner with the first episode of the LJC podcast. I’ll be delivering a regular audio show that will be extending the LJC experience and giving you yet another way to indulge your passion for Latin Jazz. Some of the familiar elements that you know and love in LJC will find their way into the podcast – in particular, I’ll be integrating the Latin Jazz Conversations into the podcast. While you won’t be reading the interviews on the site, you’ll be hearing them in the
NAME: John Santos/john santos machete.jpg)
/john santos machete ensemble tribute to the masters.jpg)
/john santos machete ensemble sf bay.jpg)
/john santos machete ensemble machetazo 10 years on the edge.jpg)
/john santos quintet papa mambo.jpg)
/john santos quintet perspectiva fragmentada.jpg)
/john santos sextet filosofia caribena vol 1.jpg)
Live albums are an important part of any artist’s career, especially for a jazz musician, who will generally revisit the practice several times. Jazz albums are often recorded live in a studio with limited overdubs, but this is a completely different experience. Capturing a performance in front of an audience doesn’t simply collect a series of notes and rhythms, it records the total experience for future posterity. A live recording gathers the spontaneous risks (or lack thereof) that an artist takes and makes them evident to all listeners. It exposes the artist’s relationship with their audience and reveals a greater sense of their personality. Live recordings are more than a simple snapshot of a time and place, they are a brutally honest and exposed picture of an artist in their natural element.
NAME: Adrián Iaies/adrian iaies las tardecitas de mintons.jpg)
/adrian iaies nostalgias y otros vicios.jpg)
/adrian iaies tango reflection.jpg)
/adrian iaies vals de la 81st columbus.jpg)
The LJC Best Of 2011 Awards are right around the corner with voting beginning in early December. I’ve been preparing a list of nominees that I’ll be announcing when voting begins, but I do want to involve everyone in the discussion. I’ll be previewing some of my nominees as well as asking for suggestions throughout the next week on the 
NPR captured Miguel Zenón’s recent performance at The Newport Jazz Festival, where he not only has his regular quartet featuring Luis Perdomo on piano, Hans Glawischnig on bass, and Henry Cole on drums, but also a large woodwind ensemble directed by Guillermo Klein. The group plays tracks from Zenón’s most recent album Alma Adentro, really bringing the music to life – the combination of the live woodwind group and Zenón’s improvisations are just stunning. As an added bonus, the stream has a portion of a performance from The Mingus Big Band as well. You don’t want to miss this 
Bassist Nilson Matta has been known in the jazz world for his specialty with Brazilian music, but mostly as a sideman; he has spent a good deal of time as a band leader though, fronting his group called Brazilian Voyage. In an article aimed at promoting one of the group’s recent appearances, the Columbia Daily Tribute focuses upon 
The elimination of 31 Grammy categories by the National Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences – including the Latin Jazz category – has begun to filter into the mainstream media once again, making a much deserved rumble. The recent spread of articles addresses the racist qualities of the actions by NARAS, pointing out the fact that the majority of the categories eliminated represented ethnic musics. With quotes from Bobby Sanabria and background information on the situation, the articles make a strong argument. You can check out the articles on the Grammy situation from 
Brazilian Jazz legend Hermeto Pascoal recently celebrated his 75th birthday with a performance at the London Jazz Festival that found the iconic composer’s music in a variety of settings. Pascoal performed with his sextet, featuring his vocalist wife Aline Morena, and then former Pascoal pianist Jovino Santos Neto led a British big band through a set of the composer’s large ensemble arrangements. With a rare appearance like this, you can imagine that there was a bit of buzz around the internet. You can find reviews of Pascoal’s portion of the London Jazz Festival in both /jovino santos neto quinteto current.jpg)
/mario adnet more jobim jazz.jpg)
NAME: Gato Barbieri/gato barbieri last tango in paris.jpg)
/gato barbieri chapter one latin america.jpg)
/gato barbieri chapter two hasta siempre.jpg)
/gato barbieri chapter three viva emiliano zapata.jpg)
/gato barbieri bolivia.jpg)
/gato barbieri under fire.jpg)
/gato barbieri tropico.jpg)
/gato barbieri bahia.jpg)
/gato barbieri shadow of the cat.jpg)
NAME: Rene Camacho/bobby matos live at moca.jpg)
/jack costanzo scorching the skins.jpg)
/scott martin cafe cubano.jpg)
/jazz on the latin side all-stars last bullfighter.jpg)
/bill cunliffe imaginacion.jpg)
/rebeca mauleon descarga en california.jpg)
NAME: Richie Flores/eddie palmieri palmas.jpg)
/israel lopez cachao master sesssion vol 1.jpg)
/tropijazz all-stars live.jpg)
/papo vazquez at the point vol 1.jpg)
/conrad herwig another kind of blue the latin side of miles davis.jpg)
NAME: Carlos “Patato” Valdes/patato totico.jpg)
/live at montreux jazz festival 1980 latin percussion jazz ensemble.jpg)
/carlos valdes patato legend of percussion.jpg)
/bebo valdes trio arte de sabor.jpg)
/conga kings jazz descargas.jpg)
/carlos valdes patato el hombre.jpg)
NAME: Brian Andres/brian andres afro cuban jazz cartel drummers speak.jpg)
