New CDs – November 2011

CD: Recordando
Artist: Andrés Ortiz Trío
Label: Zone di Musica
Country: Switzerland

Track: Inesperado
Author: Andres Ortiz

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The Andrés Ortíz Trío is formed by Colombian pianist Andrés Ortiz, Italian double bass player Antonio Cervellino and Swiss drummer Brian Quinn. They are currently based in Switzerland. Musically, Andrés has a strong Latinamerican folkloric influence from his early years growing and learning in his native country. He’s a talented composer and arranger who has received several awards in Spain, where he was living before moving to Switzerland in 2008.

CD: El Cumbanchero
Artist: Mark Weinstein
Label: Jazzheads Records
Country: USA

Track: El Cumbanchero
Author: Rafael Hernández

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Virtuoso flute player Mark Weinstein is joined this time by strings and percussion, revisiting and reinventing the classic charanga Cuban tradition. Weinstein and Cuban pianist Aruán Ortiz produced this album, and Ortiz also contributed brilliant arrangements for this project. Flutist Danilo Lozano writes in the liner notes: "For me, this recording has borne the musical and cultural challenges inherent in performing Latin jazz."

CD: Plays Toninho Horta
Artist: Duduka Da Fonseca Trio
Label: Zoho Music
Country: USA

Track: Retrato Do Gato
Author: Toninho Horta

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In this new album, superb Brazilian drummer Duduka Da Fonseca is joined by his musical partners, David Feldman on piano and Guto Wirtti on acoustic bass. They are the Rio de Janeiro-based Duduka Da Fonseca Trio, rendering hommage to Toninho Horta, another extraordinary Brazilian artist (singer-songwriter and guitarist). This project is a tremendous follow-up to Duduka’s 2009 Latin Grammy- nominated "Brazilian Trio Forests."

CD: Live at Bird’s Eye
Artist: Hendrik Meurkens
Label: Zoho Music
Country: USA

Track: Sambatropolis
Author: Hendrik Meurkens

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The harmonica and the vibraphone take a new dimension on Hendrik Meurkens hands. This album, recorded live at the Bird’s Eye club, in Basel, Switzerland, is uplifting and refreshing. Meurkens is joined by Misha Tsiganov on piano, Gustavo Amarante on bass and Adriano Santos on drums (and pandeiro on track #5). This project showcases the most representative Brazilian rhythms: Samba, Bossa, Choro and some beautiful Jazz ballads. Truly enjoyable.

CD: David Murray Cuban Ens. Plays Nat King Cole en Español
Artist: David Murray Cuban Ensemble
Label: Motéma Music
Country: USA

Track: Quizás, Quizás, Quizás
Author: Osvaldo Farrés

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Based on the two recordings en español by Nat King Cole, released around 50 years ago, this is truly an innovative interpretation of those historic albums by saxophonist, conmposer and bandleader David Murray and his 10-piece Cuban ensemble. Some of the best Cuban musicians participate on this project, which is enhanced with a Portuguese string section (Sinfonieta of Sines), tango revivalist singer Daniel Melingo and bandoneón player Juanjo Mosalini, both from Argentina. The final result is magnificent.