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Jazz Articles about Miguel Zenon
Raphaël Pannier Quartet: Faune
by Dan Bilawsky
The debut from drummer Raphaël Pannier has no difficulty laying out references to modern modes of impressionism and the nature of wildlife implied in its title. Its opener --a ten-minute take on Ornette Coleman's “Lonely Woman" that offers slinky melody, sophisticated coloring, intense upheaval, a bass soliloquy and a return to the shadowy theme--is but the first of many indications that Pannier can paint open compositions in altered light while also awakening and taming tension. It's an artful display of ...
Continue ReadingEdward Simon: 25 Years
by Dan McClenaghan
Pianist Edward Simon immigrated to the United States from his native Venezuela while still in his teens. He stayed, and carved out a successful career in music. His fiftieth birthday rolled around, and the artist decided it was time to take a look and listen back. In a musical journey that spans the titular 25 Years, Simon has crafted a lot of music, employing a Latin/jazz/classical approach with a seemingly effortless refinement, making sounds that are unfailingly engaging and beautiful. ...
Continue ReadingCésar Cardoso: Dice of Tenors
by Angelo Leonardi
Cresciuto nella sempre più vivace scena jazzistica portoghese, César Cardoso giunge al quarto disco da leader in dieci anni, il primo in cui guida un organico internazionale con gli statunitensi Miguel Zenon al sax contralto (già ospite nel precedente Interchange di quattro anni fa), il trombettista Jason Palmer, il vibrafonista Jeffery Davis, il trombonista italiano Massimo Morganti, il bassista argentino Demian Cabaud e i connazionali Oscar Graça al pianoforte e Marcos Cavaleiro alla batteria. In questo progetto ...
Continue ReadingCesar Cardoso: Dice of Tenors
by Jack Bowers
Dice of Tenors is Portuguese-bred tenor saxophonist Cesar Cardoso's ardent salute to a half-dozen of the world's foremost tenor saxophone masters: Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Joe Henderson and Benny Golson. To carry out that purpose, Cardoso has convened an admirable octet on which he shares the front line with trumpeter Jason Palmer, alto Miguel Zenon, trombonist Massimo Morganti and vibraphonist Jeffery Davis. The group's hard-working rhythm section consists of pianist Oscar Graca, bassist Demian Cabaud and ...
Continue ReadingCésar Cardoso: Dice of Tenors
by Friedrich Kunzmann
Judging solely by the credits and scope of the Portuguese saxophonist César Cardoso's newest undertaking, one could expect a pretty conservative affair. The title of the album sums it up quite adequately. From Benny Golson to Sonny Rollins to Joe Henderson, Cardoso cuts through the oeuvre of some of the most distinguished masters of the tenor saxophone and presents their works in a new light. Of course John Coltrane's “Giant Steps" can't be left out of this equation. Sound familiar? ...
Continue ReadingMiguel Zenon Celebrates Sonero!
by Corey Hall
As the song's lyrics about freedom were sung, the child's conscience consumed them whole. This child, ten years young at the time, had never heard the singer, Ismael Rivera, or the song, “Las Tumbas," before, but, three decades later, this initial impression remains in Miguel Zenon's memory. “I was taken by the song's overall structure and the way his voice worked within the song," said Zenon, an alto saxophonist, composer, and band leader, whose music has earned him ...
Continue ReadingMiguel Zenon: Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera
by Mark Corroto
It is not possible to listen to Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera by alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón without triggering thoughts of another altoist, Charlie Parker. Like Parker, Zenón has that quicksilver processing of thought and expression, but more relevant is that both artists can render any style of music into the jazz idiom. Where Parker dealt with Latin music in a macro sense, Zenón gets down to a micro level. It's only natural for the San Juan born, Guggenheim ...
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