Spring Brings Joyous Music

 

Trombonist, composer, band(s)leader, and educator Ryan Keberle is the very model of a 21st Century musician.  His trombone playing feels at home in Latin music ensembles, alongside contemporary songwriters such as Sufjan Stevens, leading his quintet Catharsis, or in ensembles led by Dave Douglas.  It's no surprise that on a trip to Brazil in late 2017 that he would hook up with a fine trio of local musicians; even better, he returned six months later and recorded with these musicians. 

The results can be heard on the exciting and expansive "Sonhos Da Esquina" (Alternate Side Records).  Credited to Ryan Keberle's Collectiv do Brasil, the trombonist and the trio––Felipe Silviera (piano), Thiago Alves (bass), and Paulinho Vicente (drums)––examine three compositions from Milton Nascimento, two from Toninho Horta (a contemporary of Nascimento), and three by Keberle.  One can hear the influences of Brazilian MPB, of Wayne Shorter's 1975 recording "Native Dancer", and hints of Pat Metheny's explorations into World Music, especially in the movement of the rhythm section.  Even so, pieces such as "Clube Da Esquina 2" and "Aqui, Oh!" move in ways that you can hear their origins. The latter tune, originally composed by Horta for Nascimento (1969), takes off from the beautifully expressed original melody (in rubato) into a lovely samba rhythm. Both Keberle and Silviera take fine solos that handsomely swing over the activity of the rhythm section. 

Several of the pieces come from Nascimento's self-titled second album such as the afore-mentioned "Aqui, Oh!" as well as the lovely ballad "Tarde" (words by Nascimento, music by Márcio Borges). The latter song sounds to this listener like it could have been composed by Duke Ellington or Billy Strayhorn––the trombonist and pianist create emotionally strong solos.  "Clube Da Esquina 2" is the title track of a 1972 double album Nascimento made with singer-songwriter-guitarist Lô Borges that many consider a landmark MPB recording for its variety and myriad styles.  The softer ballad opens with a bass solo that introduces the main melody with Alves plays in unison with Keberle.  The piece gains in power as it moves forward but never loses its melodic aim.

The album closes with Horta's "Francisca" which Nascimento recorded for his 1976 album "Milton". It, too, is a ballad (at least, for the first 2/3rds of the tune), also quite emotional; this version features excellent melodic and contrapuntal playing from bassist Alves plus he creates a splendid solo. That's followed by an appropriately mellow piano.  Note how the tempo picks up as Silviera is playing so that when Keberle takes off on his solo, the rhythm is quite powerful.

"Sonhos Da Esquina" ("Corner Songs") is a delightful journey into Brazil with Ryan Keberle's Collectiv Do Brasil.  Thoughtful, passionate, and melodic music that reaches deep into your soul. Listen closely.

For more information, go to http://ryankeberle.com.  To hear more and to purchase the album, go to  https://ryankeberle.bandcamp.com/album/sonhos-da-esquina.

Hear the Milton Nascimento-penned opening track:

Two decades into his professional career, pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader Manuel Valera is hitting his stride. His 2020 release "Jose Marti En Nuevo York", was his first big band album as well as his debut on Greenleaf Music.  That album combined poetry, politics, folklore, and a splendid original score.  As you can see from the personnel listed below, the 20-member plus vocalist ensemble dubbed the New Cuban Express Big Band is filled with A-list musicians from New York City–the blend of Jimmy Macbride and Samuel Torres on drums and percussion is nothing short of magnificent.

"Distancia" is the big band's second album. Although there is no "theme" that unites the program, the eight Valera compositions all stand out. Whether it's strong construction of the compositions, the fiery rhythms, the excellent section writing, or the fine solos, this music should grab your attention from the get-go and not let go.  The opening track, "Expectativas", is the title track of the New Cuban Express's 2013 release (its second)––here, like there, the band jumps out with the melody shared by the brass and reeds (the lead bounces back and forth. The leader's piano keeps the music on an even keel and kudos to bassist Hamish Smith for his free-flowing lines built off the piano chords. The lush melody and harmony lines of "Gemini" really sing yet the rhythms remain exciting.  There are several splendid solos including one from trumpeter Stuart Mack plus the baritone sax spot for Andrew Gutauskas and the leader's jaunt over the drums, percussion, and bass.

Camilla Meza joins the band for "From Afar", her wordless vocal supported by the reeds and guitar with the many colors of the brass. Valera layers the reeds and the brass behind the voice then steps away for a long and excellent solo from trumpeter Michael Rodriguez.  When she returns, her voice is joined by the saxophones while the trumpets respond. Ms. Meza joins the the alto sax of Remy LeBouef and Valera's roller-coaster piano figures to lead the band into the medium-tempo "Pathways".  Moments later, it's the flutes with the voice, then the muted trumpets, then the sections push the entire ensemble to the solo section with contributions from Jeremy Powell (tenor saxophone), bassist Stuart, and drummer Macbride.  

In the long run, it's the melodies and performances that will bring you back to "Distancia". The title track (listen below) has a lovely and emotional melodies that touches the heart. The stunning soprano sax solo (Charles Pillow), the powerful trombone work (Mike Fahie), the lovely wordless vocal from soprano Bogna Kicińska, and the gentle rolling rhythms lull one into a peaceful space. 

The album closes with "Remembered" but instead of the song being an elegy, the piece leaps in on the guitar of Alex Goodman plus the snap and crackle of the percussion. The middle of the piece opens for strong solos from trombonist Andy Clausen and trumpeter David Smith before the entire band dances towards the finish line.  Run don't walk to grab "Distancias", easily one of the finest large ensemble albums you'll hear this year. The New Cuban Express Big Band shines throughout thanks to the great music and arrangements of its leader Manuel Valera––kudos all around!!

To hear more and to purchase the album, go to https://manuel-valera.bandcamp.com/album/distancia. 

Hear the title track:

Tracks:

1) - Expectativas

2) - Gemini

3) - From Afar

4) - Pathways

5) - From the Ashes

6) - Impressionistic Romance

7) - Distancia

8) - Remembered

Personnel:

VOICE
Camila Meza, voice (3, 4)
Bogna Kicińska, voice (7)

TRUMPETS
Brian Pareschi (lead)
Michael Rodriguez (3, 5, 6, 8)
Stuart Mack (on all except 5 & 8)
David Smith
Alex Norris (on all except 3 & 6)

SAXES
Michael Thomas, alto sax, soprano sax & flute
Roman Filiu, alto sax & flute (3, 5, 6, 8)
Remy Le Boeuf, alto sax & flute (1, 2, 4, 7)
Joel Frahm, tenor saxophone (3, 5, 6, 8)
Jeremy Powell, tenor saxophone, clarinet (1, 2, 4, 7)
Andrew Gutauskas, baritone saxophone & bass clarinet

TROMBONES
Matt Macdonald (lead)
John Yao (3, 5, 6, 8)
Mike Fahie (1, 2, 4, 7)
Andy Clausen (3, 5, 6, 8)
Sam Blakeslee (1, 2, 4, 7)
Jeff Nelson, bass trombone

RHYTHM SECTION
Manuel Valera, piano
Alex Goodman, guitar
Ricky Rodriguez, bass (3, 5, 6, 8)
Hamish Smith, bass (1, 2, 4, 7)
Jimmy Macbride, drums
Samuel Torres, percussion

Large Ensembles, Classical Music & Classic Cuban Poetry

Mike Fahie is a multi-faceted artist: he plays trombone, composes, arranges, plays in several large ensembles as well as having played Broadway shows, and teaches at both the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. but also is on the faculty of United Nations International School. He's recorded with Darcy James Argue, Pedro Giraudo, Andrew Rathbun, and others. He's recorded two albums with all-star Quintets and now has his initial large ensemble album.

"Urban(e)" (Greenleaf Music) brings together the worlds of classical music and jazz, filters pieces by Chopin, Puccini, Stravinsky, Debussy, Bartók, Tchaikovsky, and JS Bach through Fahie's creative mind and is translated by an 18-piece Jazz Orchestra.  While many listeners may familiar with pieces such as "Nessum Dorma" (recorded by the likes of Jeff Back, Aretha Franklin, and Deep Purple with Luciano Pavarotti) and "The Firebird", it's fun to hear how those songs sound played in these settings. In fact, the Stravinsky piece mentioned just above is one of the highlights of the recording not only for its brilliant writing but for the fine solos by pianist Randy Ingram, tenor saxophonist Quinsin Nachoff, and a lovely conversation between Fahie (euphonium) and Jennifer Wharton (tuba).

Other fascinating turns include the hard rocking center of Bartók's "String Quartet No. 1, III. Allegro vivace".  Jeff Miles' slide guitar leads the ensemble into that––when the barrage of sounds conclude, the band into a Brechtian tango before rocking out once more.  A gentle entry into the sound world of Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 6, II. Allegro con grazia" leads to a playful waltz. Cinematic in scope, the music flows up and out of the speakers leading to delightful solos by Aaron Irwin (alto saxophone) and Nick Grinder (trombone).

The album concludes with Bach's "Seufzer, Tränen, Kummer, Not" (sighs, tears, grief, need) from "Cantata, BWV 21" that Fahie first heard on a recording by the great soprano Kathleen Battle and Wynton Marsalis.  The ensemble pays respect to the original then breaks into a long conversation between the leader (on trombone) and David Smith (trumpet).  Near the close of the piece is a terrific give-and-take between the sections led by the trumpets.

"Urban(e)" is truly an aural treat. Whether you know the original pieces or not, the creative arrangements of Mike Fahie posits you in the midst of the Jazz Orchestra.  This music is emotionally moving and, at times, a real romp.  Just let the sounds flow over you and your day will be better for it.

For more information, go to www.mikefahie.com. To listen to more and to purchase the recording, go to https://mikefahie.bandcamp.com/album/urban-e.

Music by Claude Debussy for your ears––check out the video on the Bandcamp page):



Personnel: 
Winds 
Aaron Irwin, Anton Denner, Chet Doxas, Quinsin Nachoff, Carl Maraghi 

Trumpets 
Brian Pareschi, David Smith, Sam Hoyt, Brad Mason 

Trombones 
Matthew McDonald, Nick Grinder, Daniel Linden, Jennifer Wharton 

Guitar 
Jeff Miles 

Piano 
Randy Ingram 

Bass 
Pedro Giraudo 

Drums 
Jeff Davis 

Arrangements, Orchestrations, Trombone, Euphonium 
Mike Fahie 

Photo: Mariana Maraz

Pianist, composer, and arranger Manuel Valera, a native of Havana, Cuba, has been in the United States for over two decades. Over that time, he's worked with Paquito D'Rivera, Daphnis Prieto, Arturo Sandoval, Brian Lynch, and many others.  The pianist leads several ensembles including a trio and his sextet the New Cuban Express plus a quintet Groove Square. Valera has issued albums on CrissCross Jazz, MaxxJazz/ Mack Avenue, and his own label Mavo Records. For his latest project, the artist has expanded his sextet to 19 members plus vocalists Camilla Meza (three tracks) and Sofia Rei (four tracks) , thereby creating the New Cuban Express Big Band.

"José Marti en Neuvo York" (Greenleaf Music) contains seven Valera originals based on nine poems from "Versos Sencillos" (simple verses), the collection that the great Cuban writer (1853-95) wrote during his time in the New York City area (he spent nearly 15 years in the US) and published after his death.  The combination of bubbling percussion, melodies built on traditional Cuban pieces, the colorful section arrangements, and the splendid vocals, this music comforts, excites, holds your interest from beginning to end, and features excellent musicianship.  Valera, who can burn on the keys like few others, reins in his formidable chops to allow the ensemble the space to develop strong solos.

The album opens quietly with "Odio La Mascara Y El Vicio" (I Hate the Mask and Vice)––after Ms. Meza completes the verses, the tempo picks up, pushed by the powerful rhythms by drummer Jimmy Macbride and veteran percussionist Samuel Torres.  When the vocalist returns, now over the faster tempos, the music takes a powerful turn.  Ms. Rei steps out on the next track, "Es Rubia, El Cabello Suelto" (She is Blonde: loose hair); her voice seems to rise out of the ensemble especially as she sings a wordless vocal along with the brass and reeds.  A melodic electric bass solo by Pedro Giraudo opens "El Enemigo Brutal" (The Brutal Enemy) supported only by the hand percussion of Mauricio Herrera and the synthesized strings of the leader before Ms. Rei steps into the tale of an ugly war, her husky voice a fascinating contrast to the sharp brass and bright reeds. The gentle flow of the medley "Yo Quiero Salir Del Mundo / Yo Pienso Cuando Me Alegro" (I Want to Leave the World/ I Think, When I'm Glad) grows slowly but surely in intensity as more instruments are added. Ms. Meza enters after a short alto saxophone statement and glides through the vocal. Valera employs the same melody as the first section for the second poem in the melody. Here, the vocal is doubled by guitarist Alex Goodman giving the piece a shimmering feel. 

The album closes with the rhythmically exciting "Si Quiere Que De Este Mundo" (If You Want From this World) that features Ms. Rei taking the lead and also joining the ensemble with her wordless vocals.  Valera takes a fine, playful, solo over the rest of the rhythm section followed by an exciting trumpet solo (no credit) and the a rousing spot for baritone saxophonist Andrew Gutauskas.  Macbride and Torres's percussion interchange leads the ensemble back in for an intense finish.

"Jose Marti en Neuvo York" is an intelligent and exciting musical experience fueled by the experiences of the Cuban poet early in the final decade of the 19th Century.  Marti, a vocal advocate and fund-raiser for the independence of his homeland, created these works in exile and the writings speak to the human condition.  Manuel Valera spent many months working on these pieces during the time his wife was battling (and subsequently succumbing to) cancer. The music celebrates his ties to his native country where he first studied piano, composition, and arranging.  Truly a delightful listening experience, this debut recording by the New Cuban Express Big Band is a treat.

For more information, go to www.manuelvalera.com. To listen to more music and purchase the recording, go to https://manuelvaleranewcubanexpressbigband.bandcamp.com.

Here's the opening track (with vocals by Camila Meza):



Personnel: 
VOICE 
Camila Meza (on three tracks 
Sofia Rei (on four tracks) 

TRUMPETS 
John Walsh (Lead on two tracks) 
Brian Pareschi (Lead on five tracks) 
Michael Rodriguez 
David Smith 
Alex Norris 

REEDS 
Michael Thomas (Lead Alto and Soprano Saxophones, C and Piccolo Flutes) 
Roman Filiu (Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Flute and Alto Flute) 
Joel Frahm (Tenor and Soprano Saxophones) 
Charles Pillow (Tenor and Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet) 
Andrew Gutauskas (Baritone Saxophone and Bass Clarinet) 

TROMBONES 
Matt McDonald (Lead) 
John Yao 
Andy Clausen 
Jeff Nelson (Bass) 

RHYTHM SECTION 
Manuel Valera (Piano, Celeste and Keyboards) 
Alex Goodman (Guitar) 
Ricky Rodriguez (Bass) 
Jimmy Macbride (Drums) 
Samuel Torres (Percussion on five tracks
Mauricio Herrera (Percussion on two tracks)