Author Archive
Venissa Santi – Bienvenida (Sunny Side Records 2008)
The high art of this record, Bienvenida is no accident. This is because its principal performer is the miracle behind it all. Venissa Santi is one of those supremely talented new vocalists who blazes, comet-like, acros...
Scott Oakley – Cancion Para Mi Amor (Invisible Music 2008)
How many times has this happened before? A jazz musician - and a very good one, at that - becomes seduced by the music of Cuba (and Latin America). Musicians from Bird and Dizzy to Archie Shepp were… This magnificent obsessio...
The Latin Giants of Jazz – Ven Baila Conmigo (Gigante Records 2009)
It is a daunting task to play in the idioms of jazz, salsa and mambo in a big band setting without the spirit of El Rey, Tito Puente in attendance. But timbalero and musical director, Jose Madera acquits himself with distinctio...
Grupo Falso Baiano – Viajando Choro e Jazz (Independent 2008)
Of the many non-Brasilian ensembles in the United States besotted with "choro," the music of Brasil and, not simply drawn to it, but actually performing it, Grupo Falso Baiano may very possibly be the finest. The quartet of Jes...
Victor Rendón – Fiesta Percusiva (Private/Independent, 2008)
Fiesta Percusiva, the title of this album by master percussionist and multi-instrumentalist, Victor Rendón does not even begin to describe fully the depth of this project. Sure it is a celebration. Which record driven by Latin...
Art of Jazz Global Jazz Village – June 5-7, 2009
The 4th annual Art of Jazz Global Jazz Village, taking place from June 5 - 7 in Toronto's historic Distillery District, is proud to welcome an outstanding line-up of artists to this year's event for a celebration of Italian a...
Meeco – Amargo Mel (Connector Records 2009)
Meeco is a rather young musician who appears drawn not simply to the musical idioms of jazz, popular music and a myriad ones in the Latin tradition, he also set out to do what musicians of his age seldom attempt. He made a trou...
Roger Davidson & Raul Jaurena – Pasion Por La Vida (Soundbrush 09)
Pasion Por La Vida is an unusual and memorable record, even by Roger Davidson's standards. It is the third "Latin" record made by Davidson, a pianist influenced by Bill Evans as much as by Chopin. But Pasion Por La Vida takes D...
Antonio Arnedo – Colombia – (Adventure Music 2005)
If Lucia Pulido is the doyen of the poetic vocal tradition of Colombian music, Antonio Arnedo is its instrumental ambassador. His cultural collision with the jazz tradition on this remarkable record, Colombia, throws a bright s...
Jane Bunnett with Desandann and Hilario Durán Trio
Grupo Vocal Desandann (from Camaguey, Cuba) in Haitian Song, Cuban Soul. With Jane Bunnett and The Hilario Durán Trio. Live at the Glenn Gould Studio, in Toronto.
