Jazz Articles about Ray Barretto

Que Viva La Musica

by C. Andrew Hovan
July 17, 2023

Much has been made about the making of a hybrid style involving Latin music and jazz strains that was established by Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo in the late '40s. However, the ripples of those early experiments would reach far and wide for subsequent decades, even if the casual listener might have been largely unaware of such developments. One of the key figures to come from this movement would be the late conguero Ray Barretto, who has yet to be ...

Gene Ammons: Boss Tenor

by Matthew Aquiline
July 20, 2016

Tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons' tone can be best described using the qualities of an ideally brewed cup of joe: rounded, bold, smooth, and exhilarating after first taste. Widely regarded as an original founder of the “Chicago school of tenor sax," Ammons' nonchalant, yet indelible sound--echoing the soft, breathy tone of Lester Young--drove him to a great deal of fame within the post- World War II jazz crowds of the '50s. Ammons, famously nicknamed “Jug," had an inherent ability ...

Ray Barretto: Jazz

by Graham L. Flanagan
August 7, 2009

Although both of his parents were full-blooded Puerto Ricans, Ray Barretto was as American as they come. Born in Brooklyn, by the age of seven he had already resided in that borough, as well as Spanish Harlem and the Bronx. His biological lineage, combined with the place he was born and raised, gives new meaning to the concept of Latin jazz. Fania honors his legacy with a compilation featuring ten of the strongest works he recorded for the ...

Ray Barretto: Que Viva La Musica, Indestructible & Live at the Red Garter, Vol. 1 & 2

by Russ Musto
January 6, 2008

Ray Barretto Que Viva La Musica Fania 2006 Ray Barretto Indestructible Fania 2006 Fania All-Stars Live at the Red Garter, Vol. 1 Fania 2006 Fania All-Stars Live at the Red Garter, Vol. 2 Fania 2006

Zoho Music: Latin Jazz, New York City Style

by C. Michael Bailey
January 18, 2007

Zoho Music has established itself as the pre-eminent purveyor of Latin jazz. Resurrected from the ashes of the former Khaeon label by Jochen Becker, Zoho boasts a stable of renowned and diverse musicians. Here are three of the best recordings recently released by the label.

Ray Barretto Standards Rican-ditioned Zoho Music 2006

Standards Rican-onditioned was the last recording released by New York percussionist Ray Barretto before his death in ...

Remembering Ray Barretto

by AAJ Staff
April 10, 2006

By David Amram When Ray and I first met and played together in the Fall of 1955 at the Monday night sessions at the 125 club in Harlem, Ray was the only conga player and I was the only French horn player who always showed up. We used to always laugh because we were surrounded by a small army of great musicians who played what were then considered traditional jazz instruments. ...

Ray Barretto: Time Was - Time Is

by Russ Musto
January 29, 2006

Ray Barretto continues to refine his brand of swinging, Latin-inflected jazz with each succeeding release. On Time Was - Time Is, the venerable conguero leads a polished instrumental ensemble featuring Joe Magnarelli on trumpet and Myron Walden on alto with Robert Rodriguez at the piano and Sean Conly and Vince Cherico on bass and drums. The set kicks off with a couple of Afro-Cuban classics. Bobby Sanabria joins the group on percussion to emphasize the folkloric rhythms ...