By Steven Miller
In The River, pianist and composer Silvano Monasterios offers a suite of textured Latin jazz. His ensemble writing and musical storytelling are framed by the metaphor of a river. The seven-part work unfolds as a dialogue between the written and improvised contemporary Latin jazz language. It is a flowing, textural narrative brought to life by a Venezuelan Nonet of exceptional caliber. Rather than spotlighting one or two star voices, the album thrives on a collective approach where every instrumentalist adds to the music’s feeling and precision as it becomes musical poetry.
From its tranquil beginnings to its [...]
In world music, the fusion of traditional forms with contemporary sounds often results in a sound rich in heritage and expression. Fiesta at Caroga, the latest offering from The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective, is a vibrant program of this synthesis, marrying the rhythms and textures of Afro-Caribbean music with the expansive possibilities of world music. Under the leadership of guitarist Jose Guzman, this octahedron ensemble embarks on a celebratory journey that is sure to get your blood and feet moving.
The album starts with “Descarga 2,” a track that sets the tone with its robust Afro-Caribbean salsa [...]
Released on September 8, 2023, Aguankó’s Unidad is a rich collection of Latin jazz, infused with Afro-Cuban rhythms and the spirited heart of Detroit’s music scene. Led by the masterful Alberto Nacif, a conguero whose roots stretch from Mexico City to the jazz clubs of Detroit, this album celebrates musical fusion and rhythmic brilliance through eleven original compositions by Nacif and other ensemble members.
The ensemble behind Unidad is a vibrant blend of seasoned musicians, each bringing their own unique flavor to this musical concoction. Leading the pack is Alberto Nacif, a conguero with a rich history in both the traditions of Latin [...]
The name “Pangaea/Pangea” is derived from Ancient Greek pan (πᾶν, “all, entire, whole”) and Gaia (Γαῖα, “Mother Earth, land”). The concept that the continents once formed a contiguous land mass was first proposed by Alfred Wegener. Conceptually the idea I felt behind Linette Tobin’s Pangaea was the idea of unification. Bringing together different musicians from different parts of the world for a beautiful amalgamation of sound on The New Shape of the World. The album features a variety of songs with influences from the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. The groups debut [...]
