Promotions
Truth Revolution Presents: Andy González “Entre Colegas”
Truth Revolution Records Presents Bassist, Composer, Arranger, Andy González – “Entre Colegas/Among Colleagues” – His First Album As A Leader
“Entre Colegas, a flatteringly beautiful album that celebrates the unexplored nooks and crannies of the repertoire of the bass… Andy González brings a daunting command to the instrument in no less a dazzling way that Cachao did in his heyday – a truly joyous evocation of tonal colour and textures that seem impossibly beautiful in the very fleet footedness of each note, each phrase and exquisite melodic line that González plays throughout.”
— Raul da Gama – Senior Writer and Editor, Latin Jazz Network
“Entre Colegas is the culmination of fifty years in the music and the people, places and events that made Andy González the iconic bass player he is today. On the surface, the guitars and strings are a departure from what listeners have come to expect, but beneath, it is quintessential Andy, doing what he does best, in the company of family, friends and contemporaries.” — Tomas Peña – Editor and Chief, Jazzdelapena.com
“I am truly honored to have participated in Andy González’s new CD, Entre Colegas. The CD features a who’s who of great musicians. I played guitar, tres, sang coro (background vocals), and wrote the liner notes for the CD.” — Ben Lapidus
“The music on this recording is something very different from the usual style that I’ve been associated with over the years. No trombones, trumpets or big band ensembles this time around. I wanted to keep it in the Latin Jazz vein but with folkloric elements. I’m satisfied with the way the recording came out. Everyone was more than happy to be a part of it. There was a very positive vibe in the studio at each session. The proof is in the music. Listen and enjoy.”
— Andy González
![Andy González: Entre Colegas [album cover]](https://i0.wp.com/latinjazznet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Andy-Gonzalez-Entre-Colegas-740.jpg?resize=740%2C740&ssl=1)
Andy González ~ Entre Colegas ~ Released February 16, 2016
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Personnel: Andy González, Luques Curtis, Zaccai Curtis, Nelson González, David Oquendo, Camilo Molina-Gaetan, Carlos Adabie, Nicky Marrero, Ricky Salas, Charlie Santiago, Vincent George, Ben Lapidus, Manuel Alejandro Carro, Roland Guerrero, Orlando “El Mostro De Camao” Santiago.
Tracks: Vieques, Ode to Joy, El Mostro’s Mayepes, Misty, Inspiración de Cachao (Estudio En Trompeta), Sabor A Mí, Dialysis Blues, Conversando Conversa, A Flower is a Lovesome Thing, The Addams Family.
Andy González Releases New CD: Entre Colegas
Andy González is one of the most respected and well-known bassists in Jazz & Latin music today. Born in New York City in 1951 to parents from the Lares section of Puerto Rico, music was already in his blood. His father Gerardo was an accomplished vocalist who sang with Augie Melendez Y su Combo, a Bronx-based group that patterned itself after La Playa Sextet. At age 13, after several years of violin & bass training, Andy joined a band with his brother Jerry called the Latin Jazz Quintet, which was heavily influenced by the sound of Cal Tjader’s group. The band’s first gig was at the Colgate Gardens in the Bronx opposite Tjader himself. Another notable gig for the band was at the Embassy Ballroom in the Bronx, on the same bill as Tito Rodriguez, Eddie Palmieri & Joe Cuba.
These were formative years for the González brothers. In that same Latin Jazz Quintet was a very influential pianist named Llewellen Matthews (long time musical director for vocalist Nancy Wilson) who would later form a rehearsal big band that both brothers played in. From Matthews, both Andy & Jerry acquired the discipline needed to make it as professionals. “If it were not for him there’s no telling what path our lives would have taken,” said Andy. Over the next few years, the brothers would find themselves in a variety of musical settings: playing Jazz with Kenny Dorham & Dizzy Gillespie and Salsa with Eddie Palmieri & Ray Barretto. During his years with Palmieri, Andy formed a friendship with another influential figure in his life, the great timbalero & percussionist Manny Oquendo. In 1974, the two men would form the group Libre with Manny as a leader on timbales & Andy as co-leader & musical director, a partnership which would last for 35 years until Oquendo’s death in 2009. Another important group formed at the same time which Oquendo was also a part of was Grupo Folklorico Experimental Y Nuevayorkino. Both of these bands are still currently active today. In 1980, the González brothers would again break new ground with the formation of the Fort Apache Band, arguably one of the most important & influential groups playing what became known as Latin Jazz. This band also is active & continues to perform.
With over 50 years of experience playing professionally, as well as over 800 recording sessions (from his first with Monguito Santamaria to the present) Andy González is still very much in demand today. — Keith Thomas
YouTube Playlist – Andy González: Entre Colegas
Latin Grammy nominee Estrella Acosta expands her artistic reach with Caminos – A Latin American Landscape. Recorded with her Amsterdam-based ensemble, Esquina 25, the album is a vibrant exploration of “music without borders,” bridging the gap between Cuban roots and the diverse traditions of Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and beyond.
Acosta’s vision traces a musical map across the continent, blending Afro-Caribbean grooves with Brazilian lyricism and Peruvian rhythms. From intimate duos to the expansive sound of a full band with special guests, the recording offers a wide variety of creative arrangements. This project isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a living dialogue that connects cultures through a shared musical language.
Whether you’re drawn to intricate jazz compositions or infectious rhythms that invite you to dance, Caminos provides a captivating journey through the soul of Latin America. Experience a landscape where tradition meets innovation in one seamless, borderless performance.
• FEATURED VIDEOS •
• SELECTED QUOTES •
“…Balancing the sophistication of jazz with the warmth and rhythmic energy of Latin American music… Acosta has a smooth yet commanding presence, and her vocals give the album a feeling of intimacy even when the music becomes lively and exuberant… Contemporary Latin jazz that is polished and accessible, but still full of the distinctive rhythmic and emotional character of Latin American music… an album of warmth, movement, and atmosphere.”
– Acacia Grace (All About Jazz)
“The new album by Cuban-Dutch singer Estrella Acosta opens with familiar sounds— jazzy Cuban vibes, just as we’ve come to expect from her previous CDs. Her longtime partners-in-crime, pianist Marc Bischoff and reed player Efraïm Trujillo, are still on board, so the instrumental quality is top-notch. Immediately, the first surprise arrives, as the second track kicks off with the feather-light swing so characteristic of Brazilian bossa nova. … In
Nevando en Camagüey, the rhythm section—drummer Enrique Firpi and double bassist Samuel Ruiz—steps up, delightfully delivering angular breaks and punchy accents. When the backing vocals join the fray, Acosta takes flight, her voice soaring joyfully above the beautiful, spirited interplay. … Stylistically more varied than previous albums, yet bearing the same
unmistakable signature of craftsman/womanship that has been honed and refined in friendship over the years…”
– Ton Maas (MixedWorldMusic.com)
“What happens when an artist maps an entire continent through song? For Amsterdam-based, Cuban-born vocalist and Latin Grammy nominee Estrella Acosta, the result is Caminos – A Latin American Landscape (released May 2026). Backed by her formidable, long-standing ensemble Esquina 25, Acosta crafts a spectacular musical map tracing the folk traditions of Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina. It is a stunning showcase of what she calls music without borders.”
– Danilo Navas (LatinJazzNet.com)
“I enjoyed every note of the CD… very fresh arrangements and your voice fits them perfectly. I loved the work of the tresero, as well as the bassist, the guitarist, the tenor player and the rhythm section, very delicious.”
Paquito D’Rivera (multiple Grammy-winning clarinetist/saxophonist)
“Estrella Acosta has pulled it all together on this very special recording: heartfelt and unique vocal interpretations, an incredible team of musicians, and stunning arrangements. She has brought new life to many of Cuba’s forgotten great women composers by uncovering many musical gems with a new and fresh approach.”
Jane Bunnett (Canadian artist, multiple Juno Award winner and Grammy nominee)
“The delightful whimsy of Ms. Acosta’s interplay with the saxophone of Efraim Trujillo and the piano of the incomparable Marc Bischoff also adds to the marvellous aesthetic of this music. The supple bass playing of Samuel Ruiz throughout, and the masterful rhythmic colours of Enrique Firpi make this music so memorable that you will want to return to it frequently.”
– Raul da Gama (LatinJazzNet.com)
• PHOTO GALLERY •
Click on thumbnails to enlarge
• LISTEN TO “CAMINOS – A LATIN AMERICAN LANDSCAPE” •
• WEBSITE / SOCIAL MEDIA •
WEBSITE: https://estrellaacosta.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/estrellaacostamusic
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/estrella.acosta.music/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@estrellaacosta7061
BANDCAMP: https://estrellaacosta.bandcamp.com/
LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/estrellaacosta
• CONTACT •
EMAIL: estrella@xs4all.nl
In 2025, Amsterdam-based band Estrella Acosta & Esquina 25 celebrate their 20 years of playing together! They will be touring to commemorate this anniversary and would love to make you part of their festivities
Marc Bischoff (piano)
Efraim Trujillo (saxes/flute)
Samuel Ruiz (double bass)
Enrique Firpi (drums)
Estrella Acosta (vocals)
Guest TBA (percussion)
Latin GRAMMY® 2023 nominee Estrella Acosta is an acclaimed vocalist known for her captivating performances and deep connection to her Cuban roots. In Esquina 25, Acosta has assembled a group of international musicians based in The Netherlands who artfully combine Afro-Cuban music and Latin jazz with modern arrangements and playful creativity.
Drawing inspiration from the rich musical heritage of her motherland, and especially the works of its female composers, they play a program featuring music from their nominated album ‘Tierra’, with songs deeply rooted in the music of the Cuban countryside, known as ‘música guajira’, including her own compositions. Thanks to the creative collaboration of all musicians and arrangers, the band has crafted a repertoire with a distinctive character, in which elements like improvisation and jazz harmonies meet Cuban tradition.
Performances at festivals like North Sea Jazz, World Music Chicago and Canada’s Sunfest have brought them international acclaim. Their music is described as “a happy transatlantic party that takes off and soars”.
• FEATURED VIDEOS •
• SELECTED QUOTES •
“I enjoyed every note of the cd… very fresh arrangements and your voice fits them perfectly. I loved the work of the tresero, as well as the bassist, the guitarist, the tenor player and the rhythm section, very delicious.”
Paquito D’Rivera (multiple Grammy winning clarinetist/saxophonist)
“Digging deeper, Estrella has bypassed classic tunes for songs off the beaten path that, like their authors, clamor for greater recognition… For her dedication to showcasing hidden gems in the songbook of her country of origin, Estrella Acosta deserves the appreciation of Cuban music lovers, not only in the Netherlands, her home base, but the world over.”
Nat Chediak, author of ‘Diccionario de Jazz Latino’ and Grammy winning music producer
“Estrella Acosta has pulled it all together on this very special recording: heartfelt and unique vocal intrepretations, an incredible team of musicians, and stunning arrangements. She has brought new life to many of Cuba’s forgotten great women composers by uncovering many musical gems with a new and fresh approach.”
Jane Bunnett, Canadian artist, multiple Juno Award winner and Grammy nominee
“The delightful whimsy of Ms. Acosta’s interplay with the saxophone of Efraim Trujillo and the piano of the incomparable Marc Bischoff also adds to the marvellous aesthetic of this music. The supple bass playing of Samuel Ruiz throughout, and the masterful rhythmic colours of Enrique Firpi make this music so memorable that you will want to return to it frequently.”
– Raul da Gama, LatinJazzNet.com
“A project that pays tribute to the deepest roots of Cuban popular music. Sound imbued with the authentic fringes of the Guajiro-Sonero flavor in fusion with echoes of jazz and Afro-Caribbean cadences, in orchestrations of singular harmonic consonance.”
– Carlos Olivares Baró, La Razón, Mexico
“The seven songs, including three of her own, receive an emphatically jazz-tinged treatment with room for improvisation and soloistic excursions, especially by pianist Marc Bischof and saxophonist/flutist Efraim Trujillo. In addition, the sophisticated arrangements full of surprising breaks and twists provide extra listening pleasure.”
– Ton Maas, MixedWorldMusic.com
“Because Estrella Acosta is seasoned in the Latin American music tradition, this album sounds like a bell: it swings, introduces you to the Cuban music tradition, gives you a sense of ‘joie de vivre’ through the mixture of Cuban and jazz music and… gives you a new view on this special mix that was initiated by American jazz musicians in the 1940s and is now given a new handle by Estrella Acosta’s approach.”
– Rinus van der Heijden, JazzNu.com
• PHOTO GALLERY •
click on thumbnails to enlarge
• LISTEN TO THE LATIN GRAMMY® NOMINATED ALBUM “TIERRA” •
• WEBSITE / SOCIAL MEDIA •
WEBSITE: https://estrellaacosta.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/estrellaacostamusic
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/estrella.acosta.music/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@estrellaacosta7061
BANDCAMP: https://estrellaacosta.bandcamp.com/
LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/estrellaacosta
• CONTACT •
EMAIL: estrella@xs4all.nl
Marlon Simon and The Nagual Spirits return with the ambitious new album On Different Paths, blending a myriad of cultural and musical traditions. A Truth Revolution Records release, On Different Paths features pianist Edward Simon, trumpeters Michael Simon and Alex Norris, saxophonist Peter Brainin, bassist Boris Kozlov and percussionist Roberto Quintero.
You can buy this acclaimed album directly from his creator at https://marlonsimon.com/online-store. Your purchase will contribute to keep the music alive and will support the artist directly, without intermediaries. GET YOUR COPY NOW!
JazzWax Review by Marc Myers
“The album is Latin jazz, but it’s way more than that. The album is loaded with a wide range of rhythms, jazz feel and tenderness… The Latin jazz on this album is unlike any you’ve heard before. Marlon’s original compositions seem to evolve organically, shifting moods and rhythms as they flower. The music is truly extraordinary.”
Modern Drummer Magazine Review
“The drum and percussion world should be much more aware of Marlon Simon, he is a master drummer, percussionist, and composer. And all of these components have never been on better display than on the record On Different Paths. Bassist Boris Koslov and pianist Edward Simon round out the rhythm section and guide us through eleven deeply emotional compositions. The Venezuelan drummer leaves more space than his contemporaries, but his sense of space is impeccable.”
LatinJazzNet Review by Brooks Geiken
In eleven tracks Marlon Simon and the Nagual Spirits explore a captivating and superbly imagined outing, On Different Paths. Marlon and his brothers Edward and Michael, all born in Venezuela, all composers, all esteemed instrumentalists, join together to delve into a sonic world with ties to jazz, European classical and world music. Having some experience with Edward’s piano playing through recordings with Charlie Sepulveda, SF Jazz Collective and his band with Scott Colley and Brian Blade, Steel House, I was somewhat prepared for On Different Paths. What I was unprepared for is the composing and drumming of Marlon taking the listener into some delightful and brilliant textures.
Jazziz Magazine Review by Matt Micucci
“On Different Paths is the fifth album from drummer, percussionist and composer Marlon Simon with his eclectic ensemble, The Nagual Spirits. Partly funded by Simon’s 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship, this bold new project propels beyond the innovative fusion of pan-Latin jazz and classical elements found in their earlier works, embracing a captivating blend of diverse cultural and musical traditions.”
Paris-Move Review by Thierry De Clemensat
“On Different Paths is an important, essential album that, beyond its cultural inspirations, serves as a note of hope, a form of renewal, a ray of sunshine in the heart of a winter that greatly needs it. Without hesitation, the editorial teams of Bayou Blue Radio and Paris Move have placed this album in the stack of Essentials.”
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