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Arturo O'Farrill: 40 Acres And A Burro
ByThe group's philosophy looks at Latin and jazz music as one and the sameand, in a sense, does not consider Latin jazz as a separate genre but, rather, music that shares the same DNA building blocks of swing, blues and improvisation. Nevertheless, Latin swing is certainly a part of 40 Acres And A Burro, with Afro-Cuban rhythms playing a major role in the music's texture. The percussive swing and gyrations begin immediately on the opening "Rumba Urbana," with heated solos from alto saxophonist Bobby Porcelli, trombonist Gary Valente, and long-time O'Farrill band mate, trumpeter Jim Seeley.
There's a lot more swing on "A Wise Latina," O'Farrill's tribute to Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor, and more of the same with a lively salsa beat kicking in on the Chico O'Farrill arrangement of "Almendra." The great Paquito D'Rivera appears as a guest, contributing clarinet to "Um A Zero," a choro-styled Brazilian number from composer Pixinguinha. A descendant of Irish stock, O'Farrill pays tribute to his heritage by including a Celtic composition from David Bixler, featuring the saxophonist's wife, Heather Martin Bixler, on violin, and accompanied by a delicious tenor solo from Peter Brainin. In recognition of O'Farrill's Cuban heritage, he includes the tribute, "Ruminaciones Sobre Cuba," actually penned while visiting the island.
Rounding out the repertoire are Astor Piazzolla's "Tanguango," Hermeto Pascoal's "Bebe," and an absolutely dazzling big band arrangement of Dizzy Gillespie classic "A Night In Tunisia." Despite the dictates of the group's new philosophy on Latin and jazz music, 40 Acres And A Burro is nothing less than a sizzling and pulsating big band project. A failure at any attempt to erase the boundaries between Latin and straight jazz music, perhaps; but an unquestioned success as an articulate Latin jazz big band album.
Track Listing
Rumba Urbana; A Wise Latina; Almendra; Um A Zero; El Sur; She Moves Through The Fair; Ruminaciones Sobre Cuba; Tanguango; Bebê; A Night In Tunisia; 40 Acres And A Burro.
Personnel
Arturo O'Farrill
pianoArturo O'Farrill: piano; Ricardo Rodriguez: bass; Vince Cherico: drums; Roland Guerrero: congas; Joe González: percussion; Bobby Porcelli: alto saxophone; David DeJesus: alto saxophone; Ivan Renta: tenor saxophone; Peter Brainin: tenor saxophone; Jason Marshall: baritone saxophone; Seneca Black: trumpet; Michael Philip Mossman: trumpet; Jim Seeley: trumpet; John Walsh: trumpet; Reynaldo Jorge: trombone; Tokunori Kajiwara: trombone; Earl McIntyre: trombone; Gary Valente: trombone; Paquito D'Rivera: clarinet (4, 9); Gabriel Alegria: conducting; Pablo O. Bilbraut: guiro (3, 7); Heather Martin Bixler: violin (6); Hector Del Curto: bandoneon (8); Yuri Juárez: guitar (5); Freddy "Huevito" Lobatón: cajon, cajita, quijada (5); Sharon Moe: french horn (2); Jeff Scott: french horn (2); Guilherme Monteiro: guitar (4); Adam O'Farrill: trumpet (7).
Album information
Title: 40 Acres And A Burro | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Zoho Music
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