Home » Music » Song of the Day

Art of the Messenger by Carlos Vega

From the album

Album Title: Art of the Messenger
Label: Origin Records
Released: 2021

Listen

About the Album

Chicago-based tenor saxophonist Carlos Vega taps into the energy of the hard bop movement of the late 50s with this quintet session that channels the vision of Art Blakey’s iconic Jazz Messengers. Filtering Blakey’s forward-thrusting style through his Puerto Rican heritage and extensive time spent with latin and salsa bands in his native Miami, Vega’s concept reveals itself on the driving opening cut, “Art of the Messenger.” Propelled by the powerful rhythms of drummer Xavier Breaker, bassist Josh Ramos and pianist Stu Mindeman anchor the quintet throughout the session, with trumpeter Victor Garcia joining Vega on this formidable front line. Subsequently, Vega turns this hard bop powerhouse on its collective ear with “Bird’s Word,” a rousing latin jazz homage to Charlie Parker. Vega’s take on the hard bop lineage incorporates stops in Chicago and Miami, allowing his mentors to clearly speak through his work. His take on the lexicon through these eleven originals is in no way nostalgic, but expressively looking forward through the lens of personal history.

Tracks

Art of the Messenger; Bird's Word; Ode to the Patient Observer; Across the Ocean; Don't Forget to Ask; Something to Say; Oh; The Owl; Who Cooks for You; Heed the Call; Serenata for Bela.

Personnel

Reviews

Art of the Messenger by Dan McClenaghan
Art of the Messenger by Jack Bowers

Date featured

May 22, 2021

This song appears by permission of the contributing artist and/or record company.
It is for personal use only; no other rights are granted or implied.

< Previous
Watching It All Slip Away

Next >
Forasteira