Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Hugo Fernandez: Origenes

6

Hugo Fernandez: Origenes

By

Sign in to view read count
Hugo Fernandez: Origenes
Madrid-based guitarist Hugo Fernández began playing guitar in his native Mexico. Later, he studied at Berklee, where he gained his Bachelor's degree in 1998 and completed his Masters at the University of New Orleans in 2005. After gaining his Masters he moved to Spain in mid-2006 but maintained his links with the Mexican music scene. Despite a wealth of experience—he started his life as a professional musician in the Mexican pop scene of the late '80s—Origenes is his first album as leader.

Fernández favors the seven-string guitar—a preference he shares with Bucky Pizzarelli and Howard Alden among others. His playing is characterized by precise intonation and a graceful flow, creating a full, rich, sound whether he's playing single note solo runs or taking on more of an accompanist's role.

Bassist Ander Garcia and drummer Mariano Steimberg form a solid rhythm section. In the front line, saxophonist Ariel Bringuez joins Fernández. The guitar and saxophone combination works well. Both players have warm tones to their sounds, with Bringuez' tenor having a mellow quality that complements the richness of Fernández chordal playing.

The lovely "Brauni" showcases the quartet's ability to play a ballad, all four men delivering restrained and delicate performances. Bringuez' soprano is the lead instrument on the tune, but Fernández also adds his own well-judged solo. Other compositions range from the smooth grooves of "15 Minutos" and "Remedium," the gentle swing of "Salida" (which features some lovely unison playing from Fernández and Bringuez) and "Kiki" and the shifting pace and rhythms of "Rana" and "Ollín."

Track Listing

Kiki; Ollín; Brauni; 15 Minutos; Rana; Salida; Remedium.

Personnel

Hugo Fernández: 7-string guitar; Ariel Brínguez: saxophones; Ander García; double bass; Mariano Steimberg: drums.

Album information

Title: Origenes | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.