latin jazz

Erik Friedlander A Queen’s Firefly

Jim Hynes cd review, fusion, jazz, latin jazz, making a Scene May 7, 2022

Erik Friedlander A Queen’s Firefly Skiptone If the instrumental configuration of cello, piano, bass, and drums doesn’t wow you from the outset, you will feel quite differently after hearing this inventive, often exhilarating music led by cellist Erik Friedlander and his quartet named The Throw comprised of elite Downtown players who are all bandleaders– Uri […]

CD Reviews/ CD Reviews Jazz

Josean Jacobo Trio Herencia Criolla

Jim Hynes cd review, jazz, Jazz Review, latin jazz April 21, 2022

Josean Jacobo Trio Herencia Criolla E7 Studios The last time we heard from Dominican pianist Josean Jacobo, he was with his sextet Tumbao for Cimarron, not only one of the best Latin jazz albums of 2019 but one of the best overall in the umbrella category of jazz. He now returns with his trio and […]

CD Reviews/ CD Reviews Jazz

Oscar Hernandez & Alma Libre Visión

Jim Hynes cd review, jazz, latin jazz, making a Scene January 19, 2022

Oscar Hernandez & Alma Libre Visión Ovation Visión is the third release and the second on his own label, Ovation, for Multi-GRAMMY® Winning pianist, composer and bandleader Oscar Hernández, a giant of Latin jazz, most known as the leader of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO). Here, he leads his quintet, Alma Libre – a Los […]

CD Reviews/ CD Reviews Jazz

Ray Obeido Latin Jazz Project Vol. 2

Jim Hynes jazz, latin jazz, making a Scene September 15, 2021

Ray Obeido Latin Jazz Project Vol. 2 Rhythmus Latin Jazz Project Vol. 2 is the tenth release by the Bay Area guitarist and composer Ray Obeido, his originals plus one from producer/arranger Gerald Wilson. Of the 29 musicians in the credits, 15 of them return from Volume 1, they being mostly Bay Area veterans but […]

CD Reviews/ CD Reviews Jazz

Lunar Octet Convergence

Jim Hynes cd review, jazz, latin jazz, making a Scene May 10, 2021

Lunar Octet Convergence Summit Put Ann Arbor in the headline and this writer is immediately interested, having received a degree from the city’s most famous school and hosting a wonderful jazz radio show during my tenure there. Yet, of course, this is not about yours truly but about the long-running Lunar Octet who return after a […]

CD Reviews/ CD Reviews Jazz

Orquesta Failde Failde Con Tumbao

Jim Hynes jazz, latin jazz, making a Scene July 26, 2020

Orquesta Failde Failde Con Tumbao Egrem Word is surely getting around in this ever smaller world of ours. In the past few months, this writer has been contacted by artists and/or producers in Russia, Sweden, and Cuba. We have covered some of the jazz artists on the Russian label, Rainy Days and will be telling […]

CD Reviews/ CD Reviews Jazz

Jorge Perez-Albela The Time Is Now

Jim Hynes cd review, jorge perez-albela, latin jazz, making a Scene July 6, 2020

Jorge Perez-Albela – (featuring Sissy Castrogiovanni) The Time Is Now Self-released Back on Mother’s Day we brought you the wonderful album, Terra, from jazz and world music vocalist Sissy Castrogiovanni. Now it’s her husband’s turn. The Time Is Now is the debut for drummer, percussionist, educator, and now band leader Jorge Perez-Albela. Like his spouse’s […]

CD Reviews/ CD Reviews Jazz/ World Music CD Reviews

Pacific Mambo Orchestra The III Side

Jim Hynes jazz, latin jazz, making a Scene, pacific mambo orchestra February 11, 2020

Pacific Mambo Orchestra The III Side Self-released The Grammy-winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra (PMO) was founded in 2010 by Mexican-born pianist Christian Tumalan and German-born trumpeter Steffen Kuehn. The 20-piece ensemble is the only active Latin Big band on the US West Coast, comprised of some of the Bay Area’s top talent. In addition, this aggregation […]

CD Reviews/ CD Reviews Jazz

Raquel Cepeda Passion Latin Jazz

Jim Hynes indie, latin jazz, making a Scene, passion, raquel cepeda December 3, 2019

Raquel Cepeda Passion – Latin Jazz Self-released Houston-based jazz vocalist and songwriter Raquel Cepeda is a multi-talented artist with an interesting story and an auspicious debut. She uses the word ‘passion’ liberally. It’s the name of her band, her album, and her life force. From the liner notes, these excerpts from Cepeda will provide a […]

CD Reviews/ CD Reviews Jazz

Bill O’Connell and the Afro Caribbean Ensemble Wind Off the Hudson

Jim Hynes bill o'connell, jazz, latin jazz, making a Scene August 22, 2019

Bill O’Connell and the Afro Caribbean Ensemble Wind Off the Hudson Savant Surely Bill O’Connell’s name would not immediately scream “Latin Jazz” to those unfamiliar with his career. Yet, for over four decades now, O’Connell has been considered one of the top pianist/composer/arranger/band leaders in NYC in both jazz and Latin jazz. Importantly, this could […]

CD Reviews/ CD Reviews Jazz

Antonio Adolfo Samba Jazz Alley

Jim Hynes Antonio Adolfo, latin jazz, making a Scene July 26, 2019

Antonio Adolfo Samba Jazz Alley AAM Music We’ve brought you plenty of Latin jazz on these pages in the past year, but Antonio Adolfo is one the founders of Brazilian jazz from the early ‘60s, taking the bossa in a slightly different direction with samba, and thus, should not go unnoticed. On Samba Jazz Alley […]

CD Reviews INDIE Blues/ CD Reviews Jazz

Los Jazz Vatos El Jefe

Richard Ludmerer el jefe, jazz, latin jazz, los jazz vatos, making a Scene March 24, 2016

Los Jazz Vatos El Jefe Lounge Side Records Los Jazz Vatos is the brainchild of Ernie Durawa. Durawa was born in San Antonio but lives in Austin. As a drummer Durawa possesses a unique ability to totally transcend stylistic barriers. Durawa has performed with Charlie Byrd, Larry Coryell, Herb Ellis, Townes Van Zandt, and Willie Nelson. […]