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

PREVIOUS / NEXT

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

Skyful of Bliss
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make 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.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.