Talking In Cuban: Palacio de la Rumba

Palacio de la Rumba Big Band is an exceptional ensemble formed by Australian composer and saxophonist Gai Bryant

On a trip to Cuba to research rumba styles for her Doctorate, Bryant met percussionist Justo Pelladito Hernández – an expert in Cuban rumba and founding member of the prestigious Conjunto Folclórico Nacional de Cuba as both a percussionist and dancer. He has been an expert source for Bryant as she adapts traditional Cuban folkloric music styles: rumba, danzón, bolero and tonada for big band.

Palacio de la Rumba merges the cream of Sydney’s Latin and jazz music communities. The combination of musicians has allowed Gai Bryant to combine complex rhythmic layering with the excitement of strong jazz solos.

Talking in Cuban

Talking in Cuban was recorded over two nights in a small church situated in suburban Sydney. The music is raw yet true to the character of Cuban rumba, danzón and bolero including a venue piano that refused to play in tune! In keeping with the spirit of rumba the congas rise up above the ensemble.

“There have been many recordings like this one, but none, in my memory, stand out as this album does; something so wonderful because it has Cuban alma, not simply percussionists playing in clave.”
– Raul da Gama, Latin Jazz Network

Track List: Pollo por Pescado; El Castillo de la Sirena; Palacio de la Rumba; The Girl With The Moon in Her Eyes; Columbia Cubanos; Luminoso; Talking in Cuban.

Personnel: Warwick Alder: trumpet; Eamon Dilworth: trumpet; Darryl Carthew: trumpet; Ray Cassar: trumpet; Danny Carmichael: trombone; Paul Weber: trombone; Colin Philpott: trombone; Martin Taylor: trombone; Craig Walters: tenor saxophone, clarinet and flute; Peter Farrar: alto and soprano saxophones; Mark Ginsburg: tenor saxophone; Paul Cutlan: baritone saxophone and bass clarinet; Gai Bryant: soprano and alto saxophones and flute; Alister Spence: piano; Lloyd Swanton: double bass; Jeremy Sawkins: guitar; Fabian Hevia: drum set; Justo Pelladito: congas.

Label: Independent
Release date: April 2015
Running time: 44:00

Website: gaibryantspareparts.com/palacio/
Social media: facebook.com/palaciodela01 | twitter.com/palaciodela01

Buy music on: amazon | iTunes
Listen: Spotify

Click on images below to enlarge