Jane Bunnett: Cuban Odyssey

Jane Bunnett’s Cuban adventure takes her on a journey outside the city limits of Havana to places such as Matanzas, Cienfuegos and Camag?ey: south and east of her previous encounters on a round-trip that covers over 600 miles. With a core ensemble that includes standout soloists such as Thommy Rojas, David Virelles and Larry Cramer, the leader explores modern interpretations of Afro-Cuban jazz. Her sultry horn and passionate flute carry the music to extremes in temperament, from slow and dreamy to fast and furious. Her soprano saxophone remains the focal point of the album.

”El Diablo,” features a mariachi-like folkloric group in cha cha cha celebration of its cultural heritage. The lead trumpeter and tres provide appropriate scenery for these exciting voices. Bunnett joins Los Naranjos de Cienfuegos mid-stream with a fiercely driven solo statement. If she were a politician, she’d have all the voters writing in her name on the ballot. The melding of American and Cuban cultures proves quite successful. “Nan Fonn Bwaa” features Bunnett’s full-toned flute in a lovely ballad setting with the ten-voiced a cappella Grupo Vocal Descendann. The traditional tune resembles early music of the Church. Similarly, traditional anthems “Alabans” and “Prizon” evoke America’s early history. These examples of folkloric music from Camag?ey have much in common with the folk music of colonial America. Elsewhere, Bunnett and company fire up the afterburners to ignite a program that’s sure to satisfy jazz lovers the world over.