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Victor Gonzalez
Ismael Rivera: Traigo de Todo

by Richard J Salvucci
Ismael Rivera (1931-1987) is one of the key figures of Puerto Rican salsa, an early exponent and pioneer, and so recognized on the island today, largely because of his sojourn in New York City. His career started in his late teens in Santurce while he was still employed as a laborer on the island, but he soon became established with Rafael Cortijo y su Combo in New York. He gained a reputation as a vocal improviser with the sobriquet, El ...
Continue ReadingTito Carrillo: Urbanessence

by Paul Rauch
Trumpeter Tito Carillo's second bite of the apple on Origin was more than a decade in the making, following up his outstanding first release, Opening Statement (Origin, 2011). With Urbanessence (Origin, 2022), the Chicago-based artist is truly up to the task, producing a work which is an homage to everyday life in the city. The narrative makes the point that cities are home to creators, visionaries and an army of people who are motivated by the hope they provide. Cities ...
Continue ReadingTito Carrillo: Urbanessence

by Jack Bowers
Urbanessence, the second album as leader from Chicago-area trumpeter, composer and educator Tito Carrillo, is a rhythmic showcase for ten of his buoyant original compositions, all of which embody his love of BAM (Black American Music) and the lyric legacy of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Peru. Carrillo, a bold and burnished improviser from the Freddie Hubbard-Lee Morgan-Donald Byrd school of hard bop, shares the front line with the energetic and versatile saxophonist Troy Roberts (who plays ...
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Momentum
From: UrbanessenceBy Victor Gonzalez