Jazz Articles about Justo Almario

Oscar Hernandez & Alma Libre: Vision

by Edward Blanco
February 27, 2022

Multiple Grammy Award-winning Latin jazz pianist/composer and band leader Oscar Hernandez and his group, Alma Libre (Free Spirit) issue another shoulder-moving album presenting more of the rhythms he and his bands are so well known for. A true Latin music legend, Hernandez is best regarded for his direction of the 13-piece Spanish Harlem Orchestra that has gathered three Grammy Awards. This album was, in essence, a product of the pandemic situation. Hernandez says: “Recording this album was a way to ...

Carol Welsman: Dance With Me

by Edward Blanco
August 26, 2020

Vocalist and pianist Carol Welsman always had an affinity for Latin rhythms and often included the element in her music. In fact, producing an album where the Latin side of jazz is the main focus has been a longtime dream that she finally fulfills on Dance with Me. The music is a delightful excursion into the Latin jazz genre with arrangements that touch on boleros, salsa, cha cha cha and even calypso. One of the main highlights of the recording ...

Justo Almario Quartet: L. A. County Museum of Art Jazz Series, May 2, 2008

by Kim Vinson
May 18, 2008

Justo Almario Quartet Friday Night Jazz Series, Los Angeles County Museum of Art Los Angeles, California May 2, 2008

The weather was just right as a crowd of jazz enthusiasts gathered to experience the glorious and tireless musicianship of woodwind virtuoso Justo Almario and his ensemble May 2 at the Friday Night Jazz Series hosted by Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It was jazz served up with sizzling sound-check appetizers, marvelous main ...

David Ornette Cherry: Organic Groove

by Rex Butters
October 20, 2005

Recorded in 2000, Organic Groove features a too brief taste of David Ornette Cherry's writing and playing with a Los Angeles dream band, including Bobby Bradford, Roberto Miranda, and Ralph Jones, to name a few. Cherry possesses a broad musical attention span, making a program of his work a musical travelogue. But no dilettante is he, holding legitimate lineage in several musical traditions. A generous leader, he usually limits his contributions to skillfully framing his ace soloists.“Mano opens ...