New Music – September 2011

I am listening to great music on my cd player such as the new Poncho Sanchez/Terence Blanchard “Chano Y Dizzy” which is a tribute to the late pioneers of Afro-Cuban jazz Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie.  Their opening “Chano Pozo Medley” comprised of “Tin Tin Deo”, “Manteca” and Guachi Guaro” out of the Pozo/Gillespie repertoire is worth the price of the cd or download alone!!  Outstanding performances by Blanchard (sounding tasteful and powerful as ever) and Sanchez who plays likes he’s been possessed by the spirit of Pozo!  This Latin Jazz opus also features tasty salsa for dancing.  I like the new recording of local based salseros, Montuno Swing entitled “Rico Tumbao” which has a tremendous amount of swing under the capable direction of musical director/keyboardist Christian Tumulan.  The diversity of music that ranges from salsa dura, timba, bachata, merengue to balls out descarga with the help of the latest version of the SF Salsa All Stars.  Montuno Swing also features a trio of fine percussionists who can handle lead vocals: Edgardo Cambon, Omar Ledesma and Braulio Barrera.  Let’s not forget the new project “De Corazon Al Son” by the talented Mexican flautist Miguel Martinez and his group Corazon Sur.  Martinez, whose exceptional flute work usually leaves dancers sweating as part of the all-star Karabali ensemble, mixes Mexican folklore into his dynamic Afro-Cuban jazz.  Tracks such as “Descarga” and “La Bruja” features fine ensemble work from contributors Jose Roberto Hernandez, Julio Perez, Marco Diaz, Saul Sierra and Carlos Caro.