Richard Peña: The Latin Side of Jazz Guitar

Presenting his fifth album as leader, Puerto Rican jazz guitarist Richard Peña unveils The Latin Side of Jazz Guitar, continuing his personal exploration of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, leading a quintet of stellar musicians documenting an eight-piece swinging set of light Latin-styled sounds. Considered one of the leading new generations of jazz musicians in Puerto Rico, Peña's intricate style blends the traditional harmonies of Latin music with the more modern colors of post-bop and fusion forging his own unique take on the music.

At one time during his career, Peña left the island and moved to Chicago only to return, later, to where he records this project in San Juan, PR, where he is based. While performing on the electric and classical guitars, the leader is joined by Roy McGrath on tenor and soprano saxophones, Jesus Colon on acoustic bass, William Garcia on drums and the bongo and Tommy Lee Ramos on percussion, guiros and barriles.

The elements of post-bop and fusion are clearly evident on the explosive opener "Roy's Tune," a percussive number featuring McGrath and the guitarist in pronounced roles, the first of four straight original compositions from the leader. "Cup of Joe" is another swinging tune where the whole band weighs in with an atypical Latin flair that is quite appealing. Perhaps a tribute to the late Wayne Shorter, "Wayne's Groove" opens up with an obvious Latin groove that draws one in with Colon's bass lines, Peña's finger play on the guitar, supported well by McGrath's high-pitched solos on the tenor tipping his hat to the late great saxophonist.

Peña opens up the superb "Jibaro Steps" on the acoustic guitar with a touch of the classical sound. It is a gorgeous piece of music and one owned by the guitarist as he is the center of the music showcasing his chops on the instrument. The brief Bobby Capo composition, "Sonando Con Puerto Rico" (Dreaming of Puerto Rico), is the first of two cover tunes. The following Sylvia Rexach piece, "Olas Y Arenas," the other cover and the most ambitious track of the album, in contrast to the Capo tune, clocks in at eight and one half minutes in duration.

Returning to more of his original compositions, Peña's "Central Park Ave" seems a perfect marriage of the Latin rhythms and straight-ahead jazz, combining for one sizzling track deserving of repeated spins. The finale, an original piece, "Arro' Con Gandule," features the leader once again on the classical guitar with just a shade of the flamenco style but staying within the Latin jazz genre, closing the session in an appealing and fashionable style.

An impressive outing for the 26-year-old jazz guitarist Peña, The Latin Side of Jazz Guitar reflects his deep personal and cultural ties to his homeland and the music that seems to define him. If one can appreciate the genre, this particular album will more than satisfy, it will leave you wanting more.

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