Miguel Fernandez-Vallejo

Miguel Fernandez-Vallejo: El Perro

by John Sharpe
February 5, 2008

El Perro is the leadership debut for Barcelona-based tenor saxophonist Miguel Fernandez-Vallejo, though he has appeared previously as a sideman on the Fresh Sound roster. In a counterintuitive move, he is teamed with another tenor saxophonist, Miguel Villar, in a piano-less quartet rounded out by Colombian Juan Pablo Balcazar on bass and fellow Spaniard Gonzalo del Val on drums. Together they explore the modern mainstream through eight original pieces penned from across the band, but united by an understated melodicism. ...