Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Miguel Zenon: Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera
Miguel Zenon: Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera
Sonero, dedicated to the legendary Puerto Rican singer Ismael Rivera, also conjures Charlie Parker in that Rivera was his vocal counterpart in the world of improvisatory salsa. His singing revolutionized folk music with a similar complexity and degree of innovation. This recording is the genius intersection of both men as illuminated by Zenón's quartet, a working band for fifteen years and four previous albums.
Highlights are numerous. "Quítate de La Vía, Perico," a classic from 1961, imitates the acceleration of a train, first with Zenón's alto rushing ahead, then Luis Perdomo's piano and Henry Cole's drums. That stimulus gives way to the elegance of "Las Tumbas" and the rhythmic call-and-response of "El Negro Bembón." Elsewhere, the quartet dares you to sit still with pieces like "Traigo Salsa" and "Colobó." Where Charlie Parker once took simple jazz melodies and wove intricate complexities, Zenón doubles down on that concept by showcasing the same innovations Ismael Rivera instilled in Latin-American music
Track Listing
Intro/Maelo A Capella; Quítate de La Vía, Perico; Las Tumbas; El Negro Bembón; La Gata Montesa; Traigo Salsa; Las Caras Lindas; Hola; Colobó; Si Te Contara; El Nazareno.
Personnel
Miguel Zenon
saxophone, altoMiguel Zenón: alto saxophone; Luis Perdomo: piano; Hans Glawischnig: bass; Henry Cole: drums.
Album information
Title: Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Miel Music
About Miguel Zenon
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Miguel Zenon Concerts
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.
