Jazz Articles about Spanish Harlem Orchestra

About Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Article Coverage | Calendar | Albums | Photos | Similar Artists

Album Review

Spanish Harlem Orchestra: The Latin Jazz Project

by Mark Sullivan
July 31, 2020

When last heard from, the salsa powerhouse Spanish Harlem Orchestra was celebrating fifteen years of playing together with Anniversary (ArtistShare, 2018). There have always been elements of Latin jazz in the group's music, and Artistic Director Oscar Hernández is a noted Latin jazz pianist, so it was only a matter of time until they presented a full program of it. In addition to his arrangements, Hernández contributed several compositions, and is a prominent soloist. The band contains some ...

Album Review

Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Anniversary

by Mark Sullivan
July 25, 2018

The 13-piece all-star salsa big band Spanish Harlem Orchestra celebrates their 15-year anniversary in grand style with Anniversary, their sixth studio album. Champions of salsa dura ("hard salsa"), this is a band whose technical skill is matched only by their consistent high energy. They have three lead vocalists, so the chorus singing is also very high quality--an essential part of a strong salsa performance. Opener “Esa Nena" is a fine introduction to the group's body-shaking groove, and the program rarely ...