DAVE SCHUMACHER & CUBEYE

SMOKE IN THE SKY

Cellar Music

Dave Schumacher, baritone saxophone/arranger/composer; Manuel Valera, piano/arranger; Alex “Apolo” Ayala, bass; Mauricio Herrera, congas/lyá/itótele/Okónkolo/Chekeré; Joel Mateo, drums/bells; Jesus Ricardo & Josh Evans, trumpet; Peter Brainin, tenor & soprano saxophones.

Virtuoso baritone saxophone player, Dave Schumacher, blends soul jazz with Latin overtones in a beautiful way.  His arrangements are rich with Latin American spirit and sparkle.  As a former member of the great Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra, he spent much of his life touring the world and soaking up the big band excitement. During this formative experience, Schumacher found a great love for Afro Cuban music. Later, he and his baritone saxophone joined Harry Connick, Jr.’s orchestra for two decades. In the 1990s, Schumacher accepted a gig call from T.S. Monk and joined the Monk band.  At the same time, he played with Tom Harrell’s Octet.  In fact, everybody who heard Dave Schumacher’s fertile, warm, baritone saxophone sound was impressed.  Relocating from Chicago to New York City, he found himself in great demand.

This album gives Dave Schumacher and his Cubeye Band an opportunity to showcase Dave’s love of Cuban and Latin music, rooted in the soulful tones of his jazz big band background. His band presents a culturally rich production, with African and South American rhythms fusing these arrangements.  The opening composition was written by Schumacher and is titled “Smoke in the Sky.”   It ‘s a wonderful example of this unique blend of cultures and creativity.

Schumacher says he was greatly influenced by Jerry Gonzalez & the Fort Apache Band.  He travelled with them to perform in Japan in 1997.  The other master musician who he admires is Art Blakey, with the Jazz Messengers. You hear Blakey’s influence on an original tune Dave wrote called “El Dilema de Chegul Metralla.”  Cubeye swings this tune in a very Latin way, brightly featuring Manuel Valera on piano.

Schumacher’s baritone sax solos are outstanding, and his arrangements are inspired and fresh.  This small group has a big, bold sound.  The percussion solos on their first tune sets the mood. They establish excitement.  Schumacher’s horn lines bring his big band experience to the forefront.  Tune #2 is an Eddie Harris composition.  Both Schumacher and Harris are from the ‘Windy City’ of Chicago. Dave has arranged this tune with the sophistication and inspiration of the great Wayne Shorter.  The bata rhythms that dance beneath the arrangement add depth and interest to the song.

“I first heard Eddie play this originally as a 4/4 shuffle at Sweet Basil (a New York club) in the mid 80’s.  it always stuck in my mind, and I reframed it in a 6/8 groove,” Dave Schumacher explained his arrangement.

His baritone saxophone sings a’cappela for a few bars before Mauricio Herrera’s percussive genius joins him on a tune called “Caridad” and arranged by his pianist, Manuel Valera. The horn rhythms move in one direction, while the drums chop, chop beneath. Joel Mateo is always distinct and culturally significant.  I love this tune and another favorite of mine is Dave’s arrangement of “Cal Massey.”   Alex “Apolo” Ayala steps center stage on his bass to open a McCoy Tyner tune called “Walk Spirit Talk Spirit.”  They close with one of my favorite songs that I loved as a teenager on an old Ahmad Jamal album.  The song is called, “Poinciana.”  However, this Schumacher arrangement is totally fresh and new. Dave’s baritone saxophone solo is smokin’ hot!

This is an album that sparks the imagination and feeds the soul.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter