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Spanish Harlem Orchestra: The Latin Jazz Project
ByThe band contains some strong jazz soloists. Opening track "Ritmo De Mi Gente" has a catchy rhythm which inspires flautist Jeremy Bosch and the leader on piano: both contribute solos on several other tracks as well. Naturally there are percussion solos too, from Luisito Quintero's timbales and George Delgado's congas. Good as the band is on its own, the excitement is taken up a notch by an impressive roster of guest soloists. Saxophonist Bob Mintzer turns up the heat on "Bobo;" the standard "Invitation" is sung by Kurt Elling, and also features alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon, trading fours with Elling's scat singing at the end of the solo section.
"Las Palmas" features a riveting Tom Harrell trumpet solo; "Silent Prayers" is led by soprano saxophonist Dave Liebman, with solos led off by Jimmy Haslip's lyrical bass, followed by Bosch's flute and Liebman's sopranoone of the most striking of Hernández's melodies. "Round Midnight" could easily have been the ballad of the set, but is given an effective up-tempo treatment instead. "Latin Perspective" features vibraphonist Joe Locke. He and Hernández must have hit it off, because the track is followed by "Joe and Oscar," a brief duet credited to them both.
"Descarga De Jazz" closes the album with a feature for the entire orchestra, including the three vocalists (who solo along with the horns, as well as providing a rousing chorus), an exciting conclusion to another excellent outing from the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.
Track Listing
Ritmo De Mi Gente; Bobo; Invitation; Acid Rain; Las Palmas; Silent Prayers; Round Midnight; Fort Apache; Latin Perspective; Joe And Oscar; Descarga De Jazz.
Personnel
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
band / ensemble / orchestraOscar Hernandez
pianoHector Colon
trumpetManuel Ruiz
trumpetJonathan Powell
trumpetDoug Beavers
tromboneNoah Bless
tromboneJorge Castro
saxophoneMitch Frohman
saxophoneLuisito Quintero
percussionGeorge Delgado
congasJorge Gonzalez
bongosGerardo Madera
bassJeremy Bosch
fluteMarco Bermudez
vocalsCarlos Cascante
vocalsAdditional Instrumentation
Oscar Hernández: piano, leader; Héctor Colón: trumpet, flugelhorn; Manuel “Maneco” Ruiz: trumpet, flugelhorn (1,5,6,8,11); Jonathan Powell: trumpet, flugelhorn (2,3,4,7,9); Doug Beavers: trombone; Noah Bless: trombone; Jorge Castro, baritone saxophone; Mitch Frohman: baritone saxophone (11); Luisito Quintero: timbales, shekere, shakers, chimes; George Delgado: congas; Jorge González: bongos; Gerardo “Jerry” Madera: bass; Jeremy Bosch: flute, vocal (11); Marco Bermudez: vocal (11); Carlos Cascante: vocal (11). Guests: Kurt Elling, vocals; Joe Locke, vibraphone; Jimmy Haslip, bass; Tom Harrell, trumpet; Dave Liebman, saxophone; Bob Franceschini, saxophone; Bob Mintzer, saxophone; Jonathan Powell, trumpet; Michael Rodgiguez, trumpet; Miguel Zenón, saxophone.
Album information
Title: The Latin Jazz Project | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: ArtistShare
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About Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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