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Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band: Rumba Buhaina: The Music of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
The CD starts with Benny Golson's "Along Came Betty (from Blakey's Moanin', 1958), the slowly swinging melody developing over an intense, double time guaguanco rhythm provided by Jerry Gonzalez's congas and Steve Berrios' drums and percussion. The first soloist is altoist Joe Ford, who navigates the beautiful harmonies with great feeling. Pianist Larry Willis followshis and Gonzalez's trumpet solos are in the spirit of the Jazz Messengers: direct and uplifting.
Freddie Hubbard's "Crisis enters with urgency after "Betty, another great tune that provides fuel for excellent melodic solos and rhythmic fire. Jerry's brother Andy's bass playing has great tone and drive throughout this recording but comes to the fore on "Rhumba Buhaina, an original piece that has so much fresh energy that you can hear the musicians laugh at times.
Other great tunes (and performances) include "Up Jumped Spring (by Hubbard), "This is for Albert, "United, "One by One (by Wayne Shorter), "Madi's Smile (by Joe Ford) and "The Day You Said Goodbye (by Larry Willis). A beautiful rendition of Monk's "Ask Me Now closes the disc and features intimate and emotive trumpet playing by the leader.
This recording is dedicated to saxophonist John Stubblefield, who played with the Fort Apache Band and passed away in 2005. Call it jazz or Latin jazz, a rose by any other name... this is some of the best music by one of the best bands around today.
Track Listing
Along Came Betty; Crisis; This is for Albert; Up Jumped Spring; Madi's Smile; Wildflower; United; The Day You Said Goodbye; One by One; Rumba Buhaina; Ask Me Now.
Personnel
Jerry Gonzalez
trumpetJerry Gonzalez: trumpet, flugelhorn, congas, percussion; Joe Ford: alto and soprano saxophones; Larry Willis: piano; Andy Gonzalez: bass; Steve Berrios: drums and percussion.
Album information
Title: Rumba Buhaina: The Music of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Random Chance Records