Jazz (Emusica/Fania, 2009)
If you are a salsa fan you are probably very familiar with the Fania record label. However, before Fania there was another record company based in New York City called Alegre. It played a crucial role in the development of salsa music and Latin jazz. The recording Alegre All Stars Jazz is a fiery descarga (jam sessions) album that includes some of Alegre’s biggest names.
The owner of Alegre, Albert (Al) Santiago Alvarez was inspired by the descarga recordings released by the Panart label in the 1950s. In an interview published in Dr. Vernon Boggs’ book Salsiology, Al stated: "I was familiar wit the Panart releases – the hippest Latin jazz thing that I had ever heard in my life. I decided to bring my band leaders together, form a band, and fill the missing spots with the best musicians from the groups that I had under contract."
The impressive line-up included musical director Charlie Palmieri on piano; renowned timbaleros Kako and Willie Rosario and Orlando Marin; Puerto Rican vocalist Cheo Feliciano (who became one the most popular salsa singers); conguero Frankie Malabe; bassist Bobby Rodríguez; trumpet players Ray Maldonado, Pedro "Puchi" Boulong and Roy Román; tenor saxophonist José "Chombo" Silva; trombonists Barry Rogers and Mark Weinstein; vocalists Rudy Calzado, Chivirico Davila, Willie Torres and Victor Velázquez; clarinetist Bobby Rodríguez, and vibraphonist Louie Ramírez.
The musical selection includes a brilliant mix of Latin jazz, mambos, boleros and Afro-Cuban rhythms. The pieces include "Kako & Palmieri", "Manteca", "Para Ti", "Lágrimas y Tristezas", "Yumbambe", "El Sopon", "Ay Camina y Ven", "Perdido", "Bobby, Bajo y clarinete", and "Peanut Vendor".
Alegre All Stars Jazz is an essential recording that brings together some of the finest Latin jazz and salsa musicians of their era.
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
