Jazz Articles about Mauricio Herrera

About Mauricio Herrera

Album Review

It's a given that wherever Grammy-winning drummer Robby Ameen goes, irrepressible rhythm is sure to follow. Diluvio, Ameen's third album as leader of his own ensemble, is clearly no exception to the rule. Ameen's half-dozen compositions are intrepid and lively, and even Gerry Mulligan's “Line for Lyons" and John Coltrane's “Impressions," which seal the album, are given bright rhythmic makeovers in keeping with the leader's metrical frame of mind. To lend color and variety, Ameen employs a ...

Album Review

Aruán Ortiz with Andrew Cyrille & Mauricio Herrera: Inside Rhythmic Falls

Read "Inside Rhythmic Falls" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
May 18, 2020

Cuban pianist Aruan Ortiz' fifth release for the Swiss Intakt label sits midway between his solo Cub(an)ism (2017) and dates by his Trio such as Live In Zurich (2018). In spite of the title, while there is a greater rhythmic impulse than on the unaccompanied session, the interaction largely pulls back from the intoxicating momentum of the latter. The presence of veteran master drummer Andrew Cyrille guarantees a certain degree of metrical adventure. But even with the addition of fellow ...

Album Review

Robby Ameen: Diluvio

by Dan Bilawsky
May 16, 2020

Perhaps it's a flood of rhythm that the title and cover art refer to on this third leader outing from drumming dynamo Robby Ameen. A heavy hitter in Afro-Cuban circles for decades, Ameen's frangible linear Latin funk workouts, intricate rhythmic roadmapping, song-serving chops and good taste have earned him an overwhelmingly positive reputation. Everybody from musical polymath Ruben Blades to flutist Dave Valentin and pianist Eddie Palmieri to trombonist Conrad Herwig has called on Ameen multiple times over the years, ...

Album Review

Aruán Ortiz: Inside Rhythmic Falls

Read "Inside Rhythmic Falls" reviewed by Giuseppe Segala

by Giuseppe Segala
March 23, 2020

Affacciata sul mare dei Caraibi, Santiago de Cuba fa sentinella alle province orientali dell'isola, di cui è capoluogo. Quell'area, appunto chiamata Oriente, che serba un profondo aroma di Africa e nel contempo è teatro del sincretismo culturale con gli altri continenti: la formidabile mescolanza di umori e colori, di ritmi e movenze che hanno reso unico il teatro caraibico. Antica capitale di Cuba, Santiago conta oggi quasi mezzo milione di abitanti, di cui il 33 per cento neri e il ...

Album Review

Aruán Ortiz with Andrew Cyrille and Mauricio Herrera: Inside Rhythmic Falls

Read "Inside Rhythmic Falls" reviewed by Karl Ackermann

by Karl Ackermann
March 17, 2020

Cuban-born pianist and composer Aruán Ortiz is constantly evolving, experimenting and injecting new elements into his craft. Inside Rhythmic Falls is his third trio album, each with impressive but different lineups. His previous trio release, Live In Zürich (Intakt Records, 2018), with bassist Brad Jones and Chicago Underground mainstay Chad Taylor on drums and mbira, saw Ortiz mixing his original compositions with the likes of Ornette Coleman and Chopin. Inside Rhythmic Falls takes yet another turn. Drummer Andrew ...