SILVANO MONASTERIOS

THE RIVER

Independent Release

Silvano Monasterios, piano/composer; Ricky Rodriguez, contrabass; Luisito Quintero, percussion; Jimmy MacBride, drums; Juan Diego Villalobos, vibraphone; Troy Roberts, tenor saxophone; Nestor Torres, flute; Alex Norris, trumpet/flugelhorn; Jeff Lederer, bass clarinet/clarinet.

Silvano Monasterios was born and raised in the vibrant city of Caracas, Venezuela.  This album he calls “The River” is a nine-piece ensemble production. It was supported by the New Jazz Works Program through commissions of the Chamber Music America and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.  The idea for this project came from witnessing social unrest in his beloved South American country.  It was around 2017 when Silvano recalls seeing Venezuelans leaping into an obviously polluted river to escape being beaten, shot at, or jailed by a corrupt government.  This sight tore at his heartstrings.

Nestor Torres is the flautist on this project.  He said, “To be part of this production of The River by Silvano Monasterios has really pushed my boundaries to the limit.  It’s one of the most difficult and challenging works that I have done.  At the same time, it is exhilarating. …What I really love about it is that it’s very deep and rich and complex, yet it’s accessible. I think it is because of the very passionate and emotional content of the work.”

Saxophonist, Troy Roberts, who is an artist with his own albums released, expressed his opinion on this project.  “Silvano is arguably the most versatile piano player I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” spoke Roberts.

Monasterios has collaborated with Paquito D’Rivera, Nestor Torres, Dave Valentin, Larry Coryell, Ira Sullivan and Arturo Sandoval.  In the same breath, he has shared the stage with Shakira and David Lee Roth. This illustrates his ability to crisscross genres and smoothly add his piano talents to various musical situations.

I enjoyed his piano solo on a composition he calls “Against the Current” followed by Alex Norris’s spirited trumpet solo. The horn harmonics dance.  They are tinged with the vibraphone’s treble tonal quality and buoyed by the percussion of Luisito Quintero and the solid drums of Jimmy MacBride.  The tune called “Carmen Elena” is rich melodically and feels very Afro-Cuban. It becomes a sweet platform for Juan Diego Villalobos to solo on vibraphone.  Also present is a lovely flute solo by Nestor Torres. During the arrangement, Silvano pulls back the curtains to let his percussionist and drummer soak up the spotlight. Towards the end of the song, the clarinet and the flute have a fluid musical conversation that sounded like they were shouting at each other passionately.

Monasterios’s composition Ambar opens with his solo piano, leaning heavily towards his classical training and tickling my interest with his rubato freedom. This is a very pensive and beautiful song. It is followed by “Ambar’s Courage” that features an intriguing solo by Troy Roberts on tenor saxophone.

This music represents Silvano Monasterios’ intricate and often complex rhythms and improvised melodies, along with his technical sophistication and the passion that comes from ones culture and personality.  This music is a tribute to the bravery and spirit of the Venezuelan people.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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