Since the jazz clubs have been closed for over a year, Arturo O’Farrell socially distanced his Jazz Orchestra to give a “live” session from the 20+ musicians recording in their living rooms. Well, jazz is improvised music, isn’t it?
The band gives some new flavors to the Afro-Cuban mix, as “Gulab Jamon” has a traffic jam of both Spanish and Indian tones, while North African pulses and salsa mingle on “Pouvoir”. Malika Zarra brings her rich voice to team with O’Farrill’s piano on the joyful “Desert” while Ghazi Faisal Al-Mulaifi gives Saharan vocals and guitar to the crescent toned “Ana Mashoof”. Vintage Cuban sounds are played with Tito Puente’s “Para Los Rumberos” that includes a harken to the 70s hit “Vehicle” and an Old World allure is portrayed with the saxes and five, count ‘em, five percussionists on the scintillating “Alafia”. Can’t wait to see everyone together playing these tunes.