Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Olivia Revueltas: 'Round Midnight in L.A.

Olivia Revueltas: 'Round Midnight in L.A.

By Char Ham
March 1, 2001
View read count

Perhaps it is too easy to be complacent and live on the safe side, such as investing stocks and bonds in well established companies, and listening to elevator jazz for background music while working on the computer at the office. However, true jazz has an greater purpose — to make the listener feel aural nourishment and participate in the listening experience like a daring adventure. Revueltas is such a jazz musician, and although new to the U.S. (sans her hometown of San Antonio and her birthplace of Mexico, where she had a jazz radio show), she has been silent on wax or CD until now.

Like many jazz artists, she was influenced by John Coltrane, but instead of dwelling on Trane worship, she takes some of his muscial elements, pouring them with generous doses of passion. The selections run the gamut from Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and Thelonius Monk to self penned pieces. "Winter Song in Mexico City," is a perfect venue for the rhythm mastery of long time Los Angeles resident Billy Higgins set against Revueltas' portrait painting of life down south in the latter months. Its theme has the substance of acoustic Chick Corea neatly set against the ending of the Coltrane signature theme, "A Love Supreme.".

Tehnically, Revuelta attacks the keys with sure intensity, puncuating every note as if each were of utmost importance. She definitely deserves airplay, and more importantly should land spots at jazz festivals around the country.

Track Listing

'Round About Midnight Winter Song in Mexico city (J. Surman/O. Revueltas) Naima Act O'Clock Rock (Duke Ellington) Why? Pee Wee What Is This Thing Called Love?

Personnel

Olivia Revueltas

piano

Olivia Revueltas: piano; Robert Miranda: bass; Billy Higgins: drums; W.R.Simcock: Producer

Album information

Title: 'Round Midnight in L.A. | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Olivia Revueltas

About Olivia Revueltas

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Carla Cook: Just a Swingin' and a Gr...
< Previous

Skyful of Bliss
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.