{"id":4810,"date":"2014-01-01T22:21:10","date_gmt":"2014-01-01T22:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jazzusa.com\/jung-on-jazz-september-1998\/"},"modified":"2011-01-01T22:21:10","modified_gmt":"2011-01-01T22:21:10","slug":"jung-on-jazz-september-1998","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/?p=4810","title":{"rendered":"Jung on Jazz September 1998"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><cfinclude template=\"_back.inc\"><title>Jung on Jazz September 1998<\/title><?php require($DOCUMENT_ROOT . \"_body.htm\");   ??><\/p>\n<div>\n<table border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" cellpadding=\"6\">\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"#ROYAL CROWN REVUE\"><font face=\"Verdana\" color=\"#0000FF\" size=\"1\">ROYAL CROWN REVUE<\/font><font face=\"Verdana\" size=\"1\"><br \/><\/font><\/a><font face=\"Verdana\" color=\"#0000FF\" size=\"1\"><a href=\"#ANTHONY WILSON\">ANTHONY      WILSON <br \/><\/a><a href=\"#RUSSELL GUNN\">RUSSELL GUNN<\/a><\/font><small><small><br \/><\/small><\/small><a href=\"#GERARD HAGEN\"><font face=\"Verdana\" color=\"#0000FF\" size=\"1\">GERARD      HAGEN<\/font><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"\" width=\"100%\" valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/pix\/system\/jungonjazz.gif\" width=\"197\" height=\"37\" align=\"middle\" border=\"0\"\/><br \/><\/b><a name=\"ttop\"><font color=\"Black\" size=\"2 face=\" verdana=\"\" face=\"Verdana\"><strong>September      1998<\/strong><\/font><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" nowrap=\"\"><b><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"\/><\/b><font face=\"Verdana\" color=\"#0000FF\" size=\"1\"><strong><a href=\"#MARCUS PRINTUP\">MARCUS PRINTUP<br \/><\/a><a href=\"#BENNY GOLSON\">BENNY GOLSON<br \/><\/a><a href=\"#TOM HARRELL\">TOM HARRELL<\/a><\/strong><br \/><a href=\"#CHUCHO VALDES\"><strong>CHUCHO VALDES<\/strong><\/a><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<table border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" cellpadding=\"6\">\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Verdana\"><a name=\"ROYAL CROWN REVUE\"><strong><font size=\"3\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:12pt\" color=\"#0000FF\">ROYAL CROWN REVUE<\/font><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\"><br \/><\/font><\/strong><\/a><font size=\"3\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:12pt\" color=\"#0000FF\">The Contender<\/font><font size=\"3\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:12pt\"><br \/><\/font><font size=\"1\">(Warner Brothers)<\/font><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\"><\/p>\n<p>      With the success of Swingers, the rejuvenation of swing music into the fabric of American      pop culture is in full swing. Los Angeles clubs like The Derby and swing bands like Big      Bad Voodoo Daddy, Squirrel Nut Zipper, and Royal Crown Revue have a cult like following      that drinks martinis and dances the night away. But with success comes criticism, and the      critics have been particularly harsh of Royal Crown Revue, calling the nineties swing band      &#8220;crude&#8221; and &#8220;not authentic jazz music&#8221;. What does authenticity have to      do with enjoying music or having a good time, because that is exactly what Royal Crown      Revue seems to be giving their fans. <\/p>\n<p>      The seven members of Royal Crown Revue, vocalist Eddie Nichols, guitarist James Achor,      tenor saxophonist Mando Dorame, baritone saxophonist Bill Ungerman, trumpeter Scott Steen,      bassist Veikko Lepisto, and drummer Daniel Glass may not have the technical prowess of a      jazz musician, but they sure know how to have a good time. Although their version of swing      music is much more Oingo Boingo then it is anything resembling jazz, they have carved a      musical marketplace for themselves and they may bring more younger listeners to venture      into listening to an occasional John Coltrane album or experimenting with a Miles Davis      classic. <\/p>\n<p>      Beyond the hyped images of cigars and zoot suits, Royal Crown Revue has plenty of gusto      and the album&#8217;s title track &#8220;The Contender,&#8221; &#8220;Zip Gun Bop (Reloaded),&#8221;      and &#8220;Salt Peanuts&#8221; are thoroughly enjoyable. Royal Crown Revue gives the Dizzy      Gillespie tune &#8220;Salt Peanuts&#8221; a new, nineties twist and in the process helps the      listener appreciate the sheer brilliance of the original. <\/p>\n<p>      These young musicians are &#8220;money&#8221; and they know it. Royal Crown Revue may have      Glenn Miller turning in his grave, but that&#8217;s probably because he is getting      &#8220;jiggy&#8221; with it. The Contender is not for everyone, but it is perfect for a      poolside sitting with a gin and tonic in one hand and a Cuban in the other. <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\" color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\">&#8211; <a href=\"#ttop\">TOP<\/a> &#8211;<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font face=\"Verdana\"><a name=\"MARCUS PRINTUP\"><font color=\"#0000FF\"><strong><font size=\"3\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:12pt\">MARCUS PRINTUP<\/font><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\"><br \/><\/font><\/strong><\/font><\/a><font size=\"3\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:12pt\" color=\"#0000FF\">Nocturnal Traces<br \/><\/font><font size=\"1\">(Blue Note)<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\" face=\"Verdana\">The trumpet has been at the front line of jazz      since the dawn of Louis Armstrong and immortalized in musical folklore by Miles Davis.      Booker Little, Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw, Clifford Brown, Kenny Dorham, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet      Baker, Art Farmer, Clark Terry, and Freddie Hubbard are all household names because of the      trumpet. Wynton Marsalis, Tom Harrell, Jon Faddis, Terence Blanchard, Wallace Roney, Roy      Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, and Dave Douglas are the trumpeters of today and tomorrow,      continuing the legacy of the Biblical instrument that brought down the walls of Jericho.      Marcus Printup is seldom mentioned on such lists. Along with Tim Hagans, whom Printup      recorded Hubsongs with last year, Printup should be. <\/p>\n<p>      A recent defector to Los Angeles by way of New York, Printup has been developing a loyal      following playing primarily at the Bel Age&#8217;s Club Brasserie and local county museums. One      can not live in Los Angeles without having some connection with Hollywood and Printup will      be flexing his acting muscles in the upcoming feature film starring Dennis Quaid, Sean      Connery, and the X- Files&#8217;s Gillian Anderson titled Dancing About Architecture. All this      while recording his fourth album for Blue Note, Nocturnal Traces, a crossroad album for      the 31-year-old trumpeter whose playing for the first time with his own band. Printup&#8217;s      quartet includes Kevin Bales on piano, Ricky Ravelo on bass, and Woody Williams on drums. <\/p>\n<p>      Printup&#8217;s spirited &#8220;Woody&#8217;s Beat&#8221; has the horn player matching wits with a      swinging Williams. Bales&#8217;s surprisingly imaginative approach challenges the leader to take      flight and Printup stands tall and tempers a crisp routine. Williams, not to be outdone,      lays down a furious onslaught. &#8220;Body and Soul,&#8221; the standard that tenor      saxophonist Coleman Hawkins made famous, allows for Printup to eloquently express his      warmth and strengths as a ballader. Printup&#8217;s soulful treatment fills the evening air with      a stirring romanticism that lingers long after the song is over. <\/p>\n<p>      It is obvious that Printup has put his heart and his soul into this album and this      hardworking trumpeter deserves immediate notice. Nocturnal Traces should be a must for      anyone who enjoys the trumpet, anyone who enjoys jazz music, and anyone who enjoys life. <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\" color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\">&#8211; <a href=\"#ttop\">TOP<\/a> &#8211;<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font face=\"Verdana\"><font size=\"3\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:12pt\" color=\"#0000FF\"><a name=\"ANTHONY WILSON\"><strong>ANTHONY      WILSON <\/strong><\/a><\/font><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\" color=\"#0000FF\"><br \/><\/font><font size=\"3\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:12pt\" color=\"#0000FF\">Goat Hill Junket<\/font><font size=\"3\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:12pt\"><br \/><\/font><font size=\"1\">(MAMA Foundation)<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n<p><font face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">Nineteen ninety-seven was a very good year for      Anthony Wilson. The guitarist son of composer\/arranger Gerald Wilson, debuted his      recording career with his self-titled Grammy nominated CD on MAMA Foundation. To avoid the      dreaded sophomore jinx, the young Wilson has chosen to stick with what worked for him last      year for his newest release Goat Hill Junket. Utilizing another nine- piece band and      including an encore performance by friend and mentor, tenor saxophonist Bennie Wallace as      the album&#8217;s featured guest soloist, Wilson has game planned another sure fire winner.      Wilson&#8217;s ensemble also features the fine talents of trumpeter John D&#8217; Earth, trombonist      Art Baron, pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist Danton Boller, drummer Jeff Ballard, and      saxophonists Jerry Dodgion, Ted Nash, and Joe Temperley. <\/p>\n<p>      The cohesiveness of &#8220;The Cherry Tree&#8221; makes it plainly obvious that Wilson has      inherited the harmonic sensibility of his father. The music eases its way into the      listener&#8217;s heart much like a gentle wave makes its way on to the shore. But, the album&#8217;s      most special moments are the two tracks showcasing the criminally ignored talents of      Wallace. Wallace first guests on his own composition &#8220;It Has Happened To Me,&#8221; a      number Wallace has played with his quartet in recent years at Southern California club      dates. Wilson took the smaller ensemble instrumentation and fitted that for a larger band.      Wallace swings throughout the tune in grand scale, working his tenor up and down in      charismatic structure, adding brief tonal exaggerations for effect. With the ante upped in      such dramatic fashion, both Wilson and Boller unleash impeccable performances. The session      comes to a close with an animated &#8220;Stairway To The Stars.&#8221; The tenorman&#8217;s bluesy      rendition is vintage Wallace. Wallace&#8217;s thrilling solo is not spoiled by an incompatible      orchestration, but rather highlighted by the rousing accompaniment of an array of sounds.      Wilson&#8217;s arrangements are not a frustrating listening experience due in great part to the      young guitarist&#8217;s familiarity with his instruments and his keen understanding that      sometimes less is more. Wallace is consistently compelling in his role and the      saxophonist&#8217;s witty solo development is only a testament to his mature virtuosity. It is a      sorry editorial that he does not have a major record contract. <\/p>\n<p>      The young Wilson&#8217;s talents are without limits and his future is one of the brightest in      jazz. With his footing firmly entrenched in humility and his heart in his music, Wilson      will be every bit the strong leader that his father is. <\/font><font size=\"1\"\/><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><font color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">&#8211; <a href=\"#ttop\">TOP<\/a><\/font><font size=\"1\" color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\"> &#8211;<\/font><font size=\"1\"\/><\/p>\n<p><font face=\"Verdana\"><font size=\"3\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:12pt\" color=\"#0000FF\"><strong><a name=\"BENNY GOLSON\">BENNY GOLSON<\/a><br \/><\/strong>Tenor Legacy<br \/><\/font><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">(Arkadia Jazz)<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">What is the legacy of the tenor      saxophone? The tenor saxophone is the signature instrument of jazz. It has surpassed its      potential with the advent of jazz music and the tenor players that have graced the stages      of basement, smoke-filled clubs have ensured the instrument&#8217;s appreciation. Players like      Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, and      the venerable John Coltrane have been innovators of the instrument and every one of them      are included in saxophonist Benny Golson&#8217;s massive tribute to the almighty tenor sax on      Arkadia Jazz aptly entitled Tenor Legacy. Golson heads an all-star session filled with      some of the most creative minds in jazz today. Tenor saxophonists Brandford Marsalis,      James Carter, and Harold Ashby, pianist Geoff Keezer, bassist Dwayne Burno, and drummer      Joe Farnsworth all join Golson in his dedication to some of the most influential tenors in      history. <\/p>\n<p>      Obviously the prime time cast is not a working band and no real innovation is on display      for this session, but the music is thoroughly enjoyable, mainly due to the musicianship of      Marsalis, Carter, Keezer, and Golson. &#8220;Body and Soul&#8221; has Marsalis at his most      lyrical moment to date. The much publicized departure from the Tonight Show has seem to      re-invigorate his playing. Marsalis&#8217;s pleasing sound and his tender reading make for an      appealing experience. Next up is the Rollins&#8217;s anthem &#8220;St. Thomas&#8221; and Golson      and Ashby share the honors and their solos have the casual ease and lay back attitude that      the calypso number should have. The young Carter puts the &#8220;P&#8221; into personality      with an exhilarating version of &#8220;My Favorite Things.&#8221; Carter is not merely      &#8220;talent deserving wider recognition&#8221;, he is the most consistently entertaining      tenor player today. Carter&#8217;s trademark growls and fog horn blasts are beacons in the jazz      night and give the war horse standard a new and bold face lift. <\/p>\n<p>      A project worthy of its players, Tenor Legacy proves that the legacy of the tenor      saxophone lies solely in the hands of the tenor players of the past as well as the tenor      players of the future. With such musicians as Marsalis and Carter, the future is in good      hands. <\/font><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\"\/><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><font color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\">&#8211; <a href=\"#ttop\">TOP<\/a> &#8211;<\/font><font size=\"1\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <center>  <cfinclude template=\"\/ads\/jazzbanner.cfm\"\/><\/center>        <\/p>\n<p><font face=\"Verdana\" size=\"3\" color=\"#0000FF\"><strong><a name=\"RUSSELL GUNN\">RUSSELL GUNN<\/a><br \/><\/strong>Young Gunn Plus<\/font><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\" face=\"Verdana\"><br \/>      (32 Jazz)<\/font><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana\"><\/p>\n<p><\/font><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\" face=\"Verdana\">Seven years after the death of Miles Davis, another      East St. Louis native makes his debut on Joel Dorn&#8217;s 32 Jazz. A trumpeter who got his      chops playing at Davis&#8217;s alma mater, Lincoln High, Russell Gunn is one of a growing number      of young guns whose familiarity with jazz music is amazing. Originally released on Muse      Records as Young Gunn (the cast included pianist John Hicks, tenor saxophonist Sam      Newsome, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Cecil Brooks III), Adam Dorn added a couple      more tunes and re-released the shamefully ignored album, re-titling it Young Gunn Plus. <\/p>\n<p>      From a lyrically soothing &#8220;Fly Me To The Moon&#8221; that would raise the curiosity of      the staunchest Sinatra devotee, to a deeply mellow &#8220;You Don&#8217;t Know What Love      Is,&#8221; Gunn shows remarkable maturity as he negotiates the standards with distinguished      exactness. But the highlight of the recording is Gunn&#8217;s duet with Hicks. Hicks&#8217;s      sensitivity is thoroughly inviting and he brings out the sublime beauty of the Thelonious      Monk composition &#8220;Pannonica.&#8221; The bonus track &#8220;Ginger Bread Boy&#8221;      includes Brandford Marsalis on tenor saxophone, James Hurt on piano, Eric Revis on bass,      and Ali Jackson on drums. The muscular tone of Marsalis&#8217;s saxophone musings are a perfect      foil with the finesse horn cries of Gunn. <\/p>\n<p>      In the liner notes the 27-year-old Gunn candidly remarks, &#8220;There&#8217;s a whole different      vibe when people approach music from a truly emotional standpoint instead from a      trying-to-sell-records standpoint.&#8221; Young Gunn Plus&#8217;s &#8220;vibe&#8221; is different      and that is a refreshing start for a young gun who does not seem to be shooting blanks. <\/font><font size=\"1\"\/><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><font color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">&#8211; <a href=\"#ttop\">TOP<\/a><\/font><font size=\"1\" color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\"> &#8211;<\/font><\/p>\n<p>      <font size=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p align=\"right\"\/><\/font><font face=\"Verdana\" size=\"3\" color=\"#0000FF\"><a name=\"TOM HARRELL\"><strong>TOM HARRELL<\/strong><\/a><br \/>      The Art of Rhythm<\/font><font color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\"><br \/><\/font><font face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">(RCA Victor)<\/font>      <\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">A fluent technician, trumpeter Tom Harrell&#8217;s      understated lyricism and his exceptional harmonic restraint is the standard by which      trumpeters will be judged for years to come. Occupying the trumpet chair for Horace Silver      and Phil Woods, Harrell has built his iron chops in the presence of strong company to      become the perennial horn player of his generation. Remarkably, Harrell has maintained his      elevated level of playing throughout his career and has won poll after poll. The Art of      Rhythm is yet another chapter in Harrell&#8217;s near flawless discography. The musicians      featured in the four different rhythm sections involve bassists Andy Gonzales, David      Finck, and Ugonna Okegwo, and percussionists Leon Parker, Adam Cruz, and Milton Cardona.      The album&#8217;s soloists include Dewey Redman, Mike Stern, Danilo Perez, Greg Tardy, and David      Sanchez. <\/p>\n<p>      &#8220;Petals Danse&#8221; contains a clarinet solo from Greg Tardy. Tardy, backed by an      exquisite string section, forms a delicately balanced melody that is in perfect harmony      with Harrell&#8217;s charming touch. Sounding uncharacteristically reserved, Redman&#8217;s seductive      inventions on &#8220;Doo Bop&#8221; should put to ease any misconceptions that Redman is      merely power oriented. The all of the septet contributes to the beginning of &#8220;Samba      Do Amor&#8221; and makes room for Stern&#8217;s electric riffs. Stern&#8217;s explorations are full of      vitality and color. Harrell remains within his musical parameters and his technique is      immaculate. <\/p>\n<p>      Harrell is the essence of the beauty of jazz. Every note he fingers is the perfect note      for that moment and he never embellishes his music, never grandstands. Harrell is not only      the trumpeter of his generation, but one of the great trumpeters of all time. <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><font color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">&#8211; <a href=\"#ttop\">TOP<\/a><\/font><font size=\"1\" color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\"> &#8211;<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font face=\"Verdana\" size=\"3\" color=\"#0000FF\"><a name=\"GERARD HAGEN\"><strong>GERARD      HAGEN<\/strong><\/a><br \/>      Far Horizons<br \/><\/font><font face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">(Resurgent Music)<\/p>\n<p>      Born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota, pianist Gerard Hagen had the privilege of      coming from a musical family (as a rule, everyone played two instruments). Playing the      trombone and piano, Hagen&#8217;s interests in high school tended to delve into the rock and      roll genre. It wasn&#8217;t until his jazz band director turned him onto jazz that Hagen, at 18,      shifted his course to devoting himself to playing jazz music. After an unimpressive      trombone solo in college, Hagen turned his attention to the piano, listening to the      harmonic styling of Bill Evans, Tommy Flanagan, Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, and Kenny      Barron. Hagen has steadily been a fixture in southland clubs for many years and releases      Far Horizons, primarily a trio date with fellow Californians, bassist Domenic Genova, and      drummer Jerry Kalaf, guest starring alto saxophonist Gary Foster. <\/p>\n<p>      Hagen elegantly walks through Jerome Kern&#8217;s &#8220;Yesterdays,&#8221; thoughtfully      progressing along with the lyrical and harmonic sensibility of Bill Evans. The brush      strokes of Kalaf help facilitate the melancholy longing of the tune. Foster initially      makes his presence felt, opening a vibrant &#8220;I Should Care,&#8221; surging to the upper      registers and unveiling a dynamic solo before allowing the rest of the quartet to work      their magic. Hagen&#8217;s colorful splashes and mature subtleties make for yet another fine      moment. The romantic &#8220;You And The Night And The Music&#8221; is the highlight of this      delightful listening experience. Hagen and his quartet cohesively interact with one      another and produce a mesmerizing portrait of sensitivity. Foster&#8217;s sensual wit may be at      the forefront of the foursome, but it is Hagen&#8217;s gentle, seductive phrases that steal the      show. <\/p>\n<p>      Occasionally, there are diamonds in the ruff, and every once in a great while there is a      diamond worth searching for. Hagen&#8217;s Far Horizons is one to ask the local record retailer      for. Available at all fine Tower Records locations or by contacting Resurgent Music at      resurgentmusic@earthlink.net, Far Horizons is a listening treasure. <br \/><\/font><font size=\"1\"\/><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><font color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">&#8211; <a href=\"#ttop\">TOP<\/a><\/font><font size=\"1\" color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\"> &#8211;<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font face=\"Verdana\" size=\"3\" color=\"#0000FF\"><strong><a name=\"CHUCHO VALDES\">CHUCHO VALDES<\/a><br \/><\/strong>Bele Bele en La Habana<br \/><\/font><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\" face=\"Verdana\">(Blue Note)<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\" face=\"Verdana\"><br \/>      Although former Irakere members Arturo Sandoval and Paquito D&#8217; Rivera have gone on to fame      and fortune in the United States (Sandoval was last seen accompanying Celine Dion and D&#8217;      Rivera earning a Grammy for Portraits of Cuba), Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes has largely      remained underexposed. But with a new relationship with Blue Note and a targeted tour in      support of his new release Bele Bele en La Habana, the son of Bebo Valdes might just get      the notoriety he so sorely deserves. Using Afro-Cuban instrumentation, Valdes&#8217;s quartet of      Alain Perez Rodriguez on bass, Roberto Vizcaino Guillot on congas, and Raul Pineda Roque      on drums, explores the sounds of Cuba from danzon to mambo. The advantage of a more      intimate Afro-Cuban setting as opposed to the more traditional larger ensembles is that      this offers a rare glimpse into the piano stylings of Cuba&#8217;s most influential export since      the Cohiba. <\/p>\n<p>      Valdes is an impeccable architect of drama and color and his prowess is on fine display      with the son &#8220;Son Montuno.&#8221; As the leader balances creative keyboard quotes with      elegantly sensual chords, Guillot and Roque mercilessly push the infectious pulse. The      Cuban theme continues with the guaracha &#8220;El Cumbanchero,&#8221; as Valdes goes about      surgically dissecting the piano. Valdes feasts off the group interplay and his flurries      have a confident panache. Valdes is the titan of Latin jazz. Hopefully the public will      take notice with the widespread availability of Bele Bele en La Habana and advance this      statesman out of jazz&#8217;s shadows and into the spotlight. <\/font><\/p>\n<p>      <font size=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><font color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" style=\"font-face:verdana; font-size:10pt\">&#8211; <a href=\"#ttop\">TOP<\/a><\/font><font size=\"1\" color=\"#0000FF\" face=\"Verdana\"> &#8211;<\/font><\/p>\n<p><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><cfinclude template=\"\/ads\/jazzbanner.cfm\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/btn_jazz.gif\" width=\"88\" height=\"31\"\/><?php require($DOCUMENT_ROOT . \"_footer.htm\");   ??><\/cfinclude><\/cfinclude><\/body><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jung on Jazz September 1998 ROYAL CROWN REVUEANTHONY WILSON RUSSELL<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4810"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4810\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jazzusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}