Jazz music is widely regarded as one of America’s most remarkable cultural contributions to the world. Known for its freedom of expression, spontaneous improvisation, and collaborative...
Despite Vieja Escuela being the title of this superb, albeit shortish album it is almost abhorrent to consider John Santos as being ‘old school’. A traditionalist...
On a rainy Saturday night in Berkeley, California in January, the venerable Freight and Salvage was host to a CD release party by The John Santos...
The Latin Side of Jazz is a curated weekly playlist that showcases selected tracks from the best Latin jazz, Cuban, Brasilian, Ibero-American and Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latin jazz...
The singular scholarship of John Santos has never been in any doubt. Though the Introduction to Art of the Descarga delves into the details of this...
It took a while for Marlon Simon to launch his celebrated career as a leader of his own ensembles. He took the plunge, however, in 1998,...
Andy González [January 1, 1951, The Bronx, New York – April 9, 2020] was a New York City-based double bass player. González was a respected and...
Arguably the greatest Afro-Cuban percussionist that ever lived (bar Tata Güines, perhaps), Carlos “Patato” Valdés is, also one of the greatest showmen of the congas, who...
Not long ago, I was interviewing two important contributors to the world of American music and letters – Eddie Palmieri and the other was Joe Conzo...
Tocador comprises repertoire culled from the music of the Uruguayan drummer and percussion colourist, José San Martín who made a name for himself after recording with...
Chombo Silva performed in the legendary Cuban Jam Sessions and shared the stage with Machito, Ray Barretto, Johnny Pacheco, the Alegre-All Stars, Charlie Palmieri, the Tropical...
What would a perfect tribute to the legendary Flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía be? It is easy to suggest a tribute by some of the greatest...
Jerry Gonzalez’s Fort Apache Band was probably one of the last, most iconic ensembles to come out of New York, via the ether of Puerto Rico....
One aspect of John Santos’ music that sets him apart from many artists in the Latin realm is the depth of its spiritual consciousness. This is...
When Jerry González puts a mute onto his trumpet, the volume of his horn may be turned down a tad, but the tongues of fire that...