Posted on March 16, 2008

A Taste of Cacao Música
Latin Jazz With A Venezuelan Flavor

By Danilo Navas

Cacao Música is a new music label based in Caracas, Venezuela. With a varied catalogue that includes Jazz, World and Latin Music, they have entered the North American Market in a big way. Founded by drummer and veteran broadcaster Omar Jeanton (owner of several radio sations in Venezuela), and Major League Baseball right fielder Bobby Abreu (also a passionate music fan), "Cacao's mission is to produce and market internationally an eclectic catalogue of CDs and DVDs spanning diverse musical genres and styles including jazz, Latin-jazz, fusion, Afro-Venezuelan, pop, folk and instrumental music."

Cacao's first releases include:

Horacio "El Negro" Hernández - Italuba II

Horacio "El Negro" Hernández on drums, Amik Guerra Lig Long on trumpet and flugelhorn, Iván Bridón Nápoles on keyboards and Daniel Martinez Izquierdo on electric/baby bass are the Italo-Cuban quartet Italuba. This is their second CD, and the very first release of Cacao Música. Hernández is very enthusiastic about the Italuba project, where the work of ensemble prevails. The compositions are created collectivelly, with the input of all members of the group.

José Luis Quintana "Changuito" - Telegrafia Sin Hilo

Legendary Cuban percussionist "Changuito" is a musical giant. Phenomenal drummer, timbal and conga player, creator of the Songo rhythm. "Telegrafia Sin Hilo" is his first release as a bandleader. He's joined on this project by high-caliber musicians. "El Negro" Hernández, Giovanni Hidalgo, Patricio 'El Chino' Diaz, Rodrigo Mendoza, Edgar 'Dolor' Quijada and many more. Luis J. Marquez, ex-member of Guaco, was in charge of the musical production.

Alfredo Naranjo y El Guajeo

Alfredo Naranjo is a tremendous vibraphonist, composer and arranger that hails from Venezuela. This is the second CD Alfredo records with his band "El Guajeo," an excellent ensemble formed by Venezuelan musicians. Some very Special guests join Alfredo Naranjo on this project. Jimmy Bosch (trombone), Ali Bello (violin), Pablo Gil (tenor sax), Luz Mabel Medina (piano), David Peña (double bass) and Luis Julio Toro (piccolo flute).

Negroni's Trio - Father & Son

Pianist and composer José Negroni, a native Puertorican, has had a successful career in the pop music world, as director, producer and arranger of some big Latin artists. But his passion is Jazz. With his son, Nomar, he formed the Negroni's Trio. The third member is always a guest bass player (John Benítez, Jonathan Estés). Marcos Panascia joins José and Nomar on this CD. Other guests are: Alex Acuña (cajón), Quique Domenech (cuatro) and María Nahima (vocal).

Orlando Poleo - ¡Cúrate!

Venezuelan percussionist Orlando Poleo moved to Paris, France, more than 20 years ago. Over there, he's established himself as one of the most important Latin music bandleaders. For this recording he travelled to Venezuela with his Orquesta Chaworó. He's extremely happy with the results. It was a thrill for Orlando to have legendary salsa singer Oscar D'Leon, percussionist José Luis Quintana "Changuito" and Horacio "El Negro" Hernández as Special guests.

Aquiles Báez - La Patilla

If you watched Fernando Trueba's film-tribute to Latin Jazz, "Calle 54," you should remember Aquiles Báez playing the cuatro with Paquito D'Rivera and his Panamericana band. Aquiles is a wonderful guitarist who has developed an amazing technique and a special sensibility for mixing Jazz and folk music from his country, Venezuela. He features Anat Cohen on clarinet, Gerardo Rosales on congas and percussion, Pablo Gil on soprano sax, Roberto Koch on bass and more.

Congratulations to the Cacao Música team. Our best wishes in their endeavours.