Here is a perfect example how “the Latin tinge” has saved and enriched jazz since the very early days. Gabriel Alegria plays trumpet, flugelhorn and guapeo as he leads a core team of Laura Andrea Leguia/reeds, Freddy Lobaton/perc, Yura Juarez/g, John Benitez/b, Hugo Alcazar-Shirazette Tinnin/dr and a busload of guests over a wonderful mix of jazz standards and traditional folk themes. The highly percussive take of the Ellington classic “Caravan” is a raucous and festive occasion, while a stroke of genius is evident on “Take Five” before it seques into “El Condor Pasa.” The Weather Report hit “Birdland” sizzles like grilled onions while a kaleidoscopic version of Ornette Coleman’s “Lonely Woman” puts new wine into old wine skins. A traditional piece such as “Taita Guaranguito” sounds hip and modern, while “Contigo Peru” is enhanced with textured keyboards. This one glows like sparklers on a festival weekend.
Zoho Music