Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars

Music:

Member Since: 2/20/2006
Band Website: jazzonthelatinsideallstars.com
Sounds Like: Magazine: JazzTimes MagazineNovember 2004By Felix Contreras:Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars, "The Last Bullfighter"Jose Rizo has been the host of a program called "Jazz on the Latin Side" for 15 years on non-commercial radio station KKJZ-FM in Long Beach, California . To celebrate his show's 10th year anniversary in 2000, he called a handful of California-based Latin jazz musicians to do a one-night, all-star concert. He recorded the performance and released two acclaimed CD's. Now the "Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars" have released "The Last Bullfighter", it's first studio album under Rizo's direction.This music is what contemporary Afro-Cuban jazz should sound like: well arranged, with something for both the feet and the head. It is heavy on clave, and the blowing is always creative, drawing from Afro-Cuban style and bebop styles. Listing the 26 names on the CD would be too much, so I'll just mention that the cover features pictures of Justo Almario, Alex Acuna, Francisco Aguabella, Danilo Lozano and Poncho Sanchez, and that the rest of the All-Stars are top-notch Latin and jazz musicians. Special kudos to the JLS arrangers: Francisco Torres, David Torres, Paul Lopez, and Robert Incelli. The music sparkles because they have written the kind of arrangements that would impress Machito.One of the CD's few cover tunes, Afro Cuban music pioneer Marcelino Guerra's "Yo Soy La Rumba", sparkles with multi-layered horn arrangements that support inspired tenor work from Justo Almario. This is the kind of arrangement that musicians love to play: noticeable but not distracting and always a challenge to their musicianship. What it means for listeners is a full-bodied music that subtly offers many layers and textures.Back to topReview from the United Kingdom Tues Oct 4, 2004 By DJ John Armstrong:On this, their third album, Jose Rizo’s West Coast, 16-piece all star latin jazz outfit excel themselves - even up against the fearsome competition being fielded in California today by the likes of John Santos, Bongologic, Vision Latina and Fito Reinoso. In fact, this amazing, all-new latin jazz album includes many key players from other bands. Core line-up is Colombian tenorist Justo Almario, Peruvian drummer wiz Alex Acuna, Cuban conga maestro Francisco Aguabella, Cuban flautist Danilo Lozano and Rizo himself.So far, so spectacular - but it’s the bit players who are an equal delight here - timbalero Jimmy Branly throughout the album, pianist Donald Vega’s modal solo on ‘Justo’s Trane Ride’, and Oscar De Leon arranger Robert Incelli’s latin-funk-jazz compositions ‘Mr. Drop’ and ‘Ironman James’. If proof were ever needed that Los Angeles is one of the most important centers of Afro-Cuban jazz, this memorable set could serve as evidence. Although the whole set is strictly post-bop in it’s jazz (Gillespie’s ‘Bebop’ gets speed-of-light clave shakedown, whilst ‘Caramba’ is trumpeter Ramon Flores’ latinate tribute to the mighty Lee Morgan), it’s also pleasingly correct in it’s Afro Cuban flavours.And with red-hot Cuban jazzdance readings of classics ‘Saoco’ and ‘Yo Soy La Rumba’ it’s that rare beast, a jazz album that’s as much a pleasure for dancers as listeners. Latinvibe.co.uk.Back to topL. A. Jazz Scene July 2004 By Scott Yanow:It all started as a celebration of the tenth anniversary of Jose Rizo's weekly Latin jazz show on KKJZ. The concert of Jan. 7, 2000 at B.B. King's, which featured an oversize group of major Afro-Cuban jazz performers, was such a success that there have been many get-togethers since then, with the informal but tight ensemble (named after the show) becoming the 'Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars'. The group's most recent recording, their first studio effort, is as exciting as their concerts. The twelve selections include one standard (Dizzy Gillespie's 'Bebop') and six numbers co-written by Jose Rizo who may not technically be a musician, but can certainly create fresh and infectious new melodies. Among the key soloists on this stimulating disc are trumpeter Ramon Flores, trombonist Francisco Torres and Arturo Velasco, Justo Almario (in outstanding form) on tenor and soprano, baritonist Scott Martin, flutist Danilo Lozano, pianist Donald Vega and a boiling percussion section that at various times includes Alex Acuna, Francisco Aguabella, Joey De Leon, Jimmy Branly, Alfredo Ortiz, Michito Sanchez, Tiki Pasillas and (on 'Mr. Drop') Poncho Sanchez.While the high points are 'The Last Bullfighter' and 'Justo's Trane Ride', all dozen selections are full of fire and spirit. Three of the last four selections feature salsa singing by Freddie Crespo and a chorus, moving the music a bit beyond jazz but still boasting stirring ensembles.If proof were ever needed that Los Angeles is one of the most important centers of Afro-Cuban jazz, this memorable set could serve as evidence.
Record Label: Saungu Records
Type of Label: Major