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Suzzette Ortiz: Renacer
ByOrtiz's debut Renacer (Rebirth) is a culmination of her musical training and experiences. The result is a joyful mix of Afro-Rican and Brazilian rhythms, melodic instrumentals, and ethereal vocals. The opening "There Is Something About You" is a stirring blend of instrumental and vocals which bring to mind singer Tania Maria in her heyday. "La Bahia Fosforecente" (Bio-luminescent Bay) follows, a reference to Puerto Rico's La Parguera. What makes this interesting is the mix of music, chorale and even a poetic contribution by one of Ortiz's students.
After a piano interlude on "Recuerdos," Ortiz celebrates fiesta on "Ponce," which starts off with the sound of the coqui (tree-frog) and jumps off into bomba/plena rhythms, which are enhanced by Eubie Nieves' rousing flute solo and a swinging turn on cuatro by Tony Perez. After a canto to the Yoruba orisha Yemaya, "A Joyful Transition," Ortiz ventures off into Cuban territory on "A Mis Amigos," where she lays down some mean tumbao over a songo/timba beat (shades of Pedroso). She follows this up with some serious Afro-Cuban swing on "Jimmy a Every Which a Way," a tribute to her other mentor, pianist Jimmy Amadei. What makes this tune pop is some serious mambo violin by Katherine Boydand the great John Blake, which goes into straight-up timba by Ortiz.
Renacer is an auspicious entrée by Ortiz, who is a triple threat as a pianist, vocalist and arranger. It is important to note that she created all of the vocals here, as well as the string arrangements, and her talent is apparent all through the album. Renacer shows that Ortiz had over 20 years of pent-up musical energy and ideas that she has now unleashed upon the jazz world. Hopefully she has enough in reserve for some impressive sequels.
Track Listing
There Is Something About You; El Perro de San Geronimo; La Bahia Fosforecente; Recuerdos; Ponce; Joyful Transition; A Mis Amigos; Jimmy A Every Which A Way; Renacer.
Personnel
Suzzette Ortiz
keyboardsSuzzette Ortiz: piano, vocals; Rob Hagopian: bass; Francisco Zaya: drums; Juan "Cuco" Castellanos: percussion; John Blake: violin; Tony Miceli: vibes; Karen Rodriguez: vocals; Jimmy Lopez: vocals; Tony Perez: vocals, cuatro; Philadelphia String Quartet.
Album information
Title: Renacer | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Suzzette Ortiz
Instrument: Keyboards
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