Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Paquito D'Rivera: Tango Jazz: Live at Lincoln Center

176

Paquito D'Rivera: Tango Jazz: Live at Lincoln Center

By

Sign in to view read count
Paquito D'Rivera: Tango Jazz: Live at Lincoln Center
One of the greatest love affairs in music is the one between folk music and dance. This extremely covert relationship has spilled over into contemporary music as well—more so in musical excursions in Europe (where even Igor Stravinsky sang its praises with compositions of his own) and in Latin America. One of the most beloved of all these affairs is the storied one of the tango: a voluptuous one between characters born in countries as far removed as Finland, Spain and France, mixed in with vibrant ones in Africa, and then transported across oceans to a brave new world, where they came to rest principally in Argentina and Uruguay, where the romance grew until it reached dizzying heights at the hands of Carlos Gardel and Astor Piazzolla. This love affair has continued until today, with musicians such as the great bassist Pablo Aslan, who have continued to expand its role in the literature of music.

Cuban-born/US-based reed man Paquito D'Rivera has been known for his interminable dalliance with tango, with Tango Jazz: Live at Lincoln Center a culmination of sorts and a tribute to his role in the affair. D'Rivera brings his pliant ingenuity to this project, displaying every bit of his mastery on the alto saxophone as well as on the dreamy, woody tones of his clarinet, which seems born for the romance of the tango. His phrasing is immaculate, and undulates with the rhythm of his heart. Lines and phrases slide into one another with mighty glissandi, sometimes beginning with a shrill cry of delight, then swirling and pirouetting as they soar and float on their way to their inevitable denouement. On this album, he plays off the wonderful brassiness of trumpeter Gustavo Bergalli's burnished horn and the bandoneóns of Michael Zisman and Raul Juarena.

The tantalizing brilliance of "Viejo Smocking" is memorable, as is the sweeping indolence of "Milonguinha" and "Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind." The dark romance of "Bandoneón" is one of the high points of the program, just as the hypnotic swirl of "Verano Porteño" is another. In like manner, the creativity of "Tanguajira" is one where D'Rivera marries the Cuban with the Argentinean—and the Uruguayan as well. And just as "Beto" does, so also does "Goodbye" mix various idioms with the all-pervasive tango. It is almost impossible to stop the feet from sliding and tapping to the music as they prepare to glide and guide the body into the queen of all Latin American dances.

Make no mistake; however, as this is almost as much Pablo Aslan's journey as it is Paquito D'Rivera's. The bassist is a towering figure in the world of modern tango, and music as well. His complete mastery of his instrument and virtually all forms of music and dance is legion. Here, his spirit is all over the music even guiding the mighty work of Michael Zisman and drummer Daniel Piazzolla throughout this memorable album.

Track Listing

Viejo Smocking; Beto; Bandoneón; Milonguinha; Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind; Verano Porteño; Tanguajira; Goodbye.

Personnel

Paquito D'Rivera: alto saxophone and clarinet; Gustavo Bergalli: trumpet; Pablo Agri: violin (6); Nicholas Danielson: violin (7); Michael Zisman: bandoneón; Raul Juarena: bandoneón (7); Abel Rogantini: piano; Pablo Aslan: bass; Daniel Piazzolla: drums.

Album information

Title: Tango Jazz: Live at Lincoln Center | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

Comments

Tags

Concerts


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

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

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.