Jazz Articles about Alfredo Naranjo

Alfredo Naranjo: Y El Guajeo

by Chip Boaz
February 17, 2008

Pulling jazz and salsa into a unique mixture requires a balance between freedom and structure. Salsa recordings benefit from tightly arranged forms with commercially dictated norms. Jazz thrives upon variation and the liberty to explore new directions spontaneously. Vibraphonist Alfredo Naranjo and his musicians find an aesthetic balance between freedom and structure on Y El Guajeo, exploring a repertoire that moves between instrumental Latin jazz and danceable salsa.

Several tracks maintain an instrumental focus, creating arranged platforms for improvisation. A ...