GINO AMATO

LATIN CROSSROADS

Ovation Records

Gino Amato, arranger/piano/orchestrator/co-producer; Oscar Hernandez, co-producer/piano; Hector Martignon, piano; Ruben Rodriguez & Will Lee, bass; Vince Cherico & Clint de Ganon, drums; Ira Siegel & John Benthal, guitar; Joe Locke & Bryan Carrott, vibraphone; Samuel Torres & Pablo “Chino” Nunez, percussion. TRUMPETS: Randy Brecker (lead); Lou Soloff, Manuel “Maneco” Ruiz, Chris Rogers, Mike Rodriguez, Mike Mossman, Sean Jones, Kevin Bryant, Raul Agraz, Bob Millikan. TROMBONES: doug Beavers, Ozzie Melendez, Dave Bargeron, Dan Levine & Gary Valente. REEDS: Andrea Brachfeld, Dave Valentin & Jeremy Bosch, flute; Lou Marini, alto flute/alto saxophone; David Mann & ken Hitchcock, alto saxophone; Tom Timko, Bobby Porcelli, tenor saxophone; Mitch Frohman, tenor sax/baritone sax; Roger Rosenberg, baritone sax. STRINGS: Alan Grubner, solo violin; Leonardo Suarez & Jon Weber, violins; Alejandra Mahave, viola; Danny Miller, cello (all 4 part of String Quartet); Daniel Miller, Stephanie Cummins, Alex Kadran & Wolfram Kossel, cello. VIOLINS: Jacob Lawson, Sylvia D’Avanzo, Eric Hammelman, David Cresswell, Entcho Todonov, Belinda Whitney, Maxim Moston, Avril Brown, Jonathan Dinklage, Chris Cardona & Nathalie Cummins (principal); Antoine Silverman, violin contractor.

This is a wonderful, lush production that features Latin orchestrated arrangements featuring a variety of familiar songs.  This is Gino Amato’s debut album for the ovation record label in coordination with the iconic Oscar Hernandez.  He uses vocals, strings and horns to interpret songs we know and love that are all arranged in a uniquely Latin way.  His project opens with the smooth, emotional voice of Arnold McCuller singing the Paul McCartney’s composition, “Blackbird” with a flute solo by Andrea Brachfeld and a trombone improvisation by Louis Bonilla.  In the background, a chorus adds plush vocal harmony and Oscar Hernandez is featured on a very Latin piano arrangement.  At the same time, there is a terrific pulse beneath the music created by expert drummers and percussionists. This arrangement fills my heart and my listening room with happiness and joy.

A trumpet opens the Michel Legrand tune, “The Summer Knows” featuring the rich sensual vocals of Claudette Sierra.  This exciting Latin arrangement lifts this song we often hear as a ballad to a fresh, new, swinging presentation. On Track #3 the drums and percussion set the tone, creating a bolero that brightly paints “On the Street Where You Live” with bright, new colors. Once again, the background voices create a vocal trampoline for Kevin Osborne’s lead vocal to bounce upon.

The wide and diversified repertoire that Gino Amato showcases in this album reflects his life and career.  Classically trained, he has worked in a number of settings and played a variety of genres.  For a while Amato worked with a Puerto Rican salsa band called ‘La Sonora Ponceña.’  Later, he formed the Steely Dan tribute group called ‘Royal Scam.’  Amato has written charts for big bands, and arranged for various Latin ensembles and many popular artists.  His arrangements are amazing!

Track #4 features Janis Siegel (of Manhattan Transfer fame). She sings a song I used to love to hear Lena Horne perform, “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” with the Latin big band putting a swing into the tune.   I immediately recognize the Gil Evans arrangement from the Miles Davis “Sketches of Spain” album on their tune “Aranjuez.”  This one is all big band, and they create a beautiful rendition of this iconic tune with their strong Latin groove.  On this one Amato takes a piano solo.

Throughout this album called “Latin Crossroads” Gino Amato displays his musical magic as a bandleader and creative arranger.  No matter the original source, he can turn any song into an infectious and unforgettable Afro-Cuban arrangement.

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