Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jonathan Suazo: Extracts of a Desire

5

Jonathan Suazo: Extracts of a Desire

By

Sign in to view read count
Jonathan Suazo: Extracts of a Desire
Albums by bassist Joan Torres ( Before, self-produced, 2012)) and guitarist Gabriel Vicéns (Point in Time, self-produced, 2012) give every indication of a burgeoning jazz renaissance in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Marked by technical proficiency, these players have matter-of-factly eschewed New York and set about to build a scene in San Juan.

Among the most satisfying aspects of the Torres and Vicéns records is the alto saxophone of Jonathan Suazo, who lent his fluid, swinging chops to both dates. It is therefore particularly gratifying that Suazo has released his début record.

Extracts of a Desire opens with a staggering one-two punch. "Pace of Life" is grand and vaguely Eastern and spiritual, in the manner of great performances by saxophonist Yusef Lateef or pianist McCoy Tyner, with a surging solo by Suazo. "Forgive Me," meanwhile, begins in a suitably melancholy mood, only to erupt in a powerful middle section. The writing evinces a soulful depth like that of trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire. Suazo again builds to a climax with genuine excitement and emotion; in the slower passages that frame the piece, he employs a breathy style more commonly associated with some tenor players. "Un futuro inevitable," is (inevitably?) slightly less necessary after the thrilling tracks that precede it.

The remainder of the record is dominated by two ambitious and extended performances. The three-part suite "La ira de una flor" affords soloing opportunities for pianist Bienvenido Dinzey (in the "Nacer" movement) and guitarist Vicéns ("Furia"). The fifteen-minute "Lucharemos," meanwhile, boasts another spiritually evocative melody and harmony. Vicéns is at his best here, exhibiting his characteristically airy, architectural approach, high in the clouds above the number's earthy groove.

The records by Vicéns and Torres that preceded Extracts of a Desire demonstrate that a straight-ahead jazz musician could play in San Juan without wearing Puerto Rican-ness on their sleeves. Suazo's record, however, more explicitly introduces Latin jazz elements into some tracks; most notably with extra percussion during a couple of the tracks, and Brazilian-style vocals on the joyous (of course) closer, "The Joy of You." But Suazo's disc should be resolutely filed under "jazz" without adjectives—unless those adjectives are "soulful," "versatile" and "well-executed." Add "promising": for Suazo's career and for the vitality of the Puerto Rican scene.

Track Listing

Pace of Life; Forgive Me; Un futuro inevitable; What Is This Thing Called Love?; La ira de una flor (Nacer, Furia, Reposo y regreso); Lucharemos juntos; The Joy Of You.

Personnel

Jonathan Suazo
saxophone

Jonathan Suazo: alto saxophone; Bienvenido Dinzey: piano; Gabriel Vicéns: guitar; Alex Gasser: bass; Leonardo Osuna: drums; Paoli Mejías: percussion, djembe drum, batá drums (4); Amarilys Ríos: barril de bomba (5); Jhan Lee Aponteporo: congas, barril de bomba, timbal, surdos (5, 7); Tanicha López: vocals (7).

Album information

Title: Extracts of a Desire | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.