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Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Anniversary

By Mark Sullivan
July 25, 2018
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The 13-piece all-star salsa big band

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Spanish Harlem Orchestra celebrates their 15-year anniversary in grand style with Anniversary, their sixth studio album. Champions of salsa dura ("hard salsa"), this is a band whose technical skill is matched only by their consistent high energy. They have three lead vocalists, so the chorus singing is also very high quality—an essential part of a strong salsa performance. Opener "Esa Nena" is a fine introduction to the group's body-shaking groove, and the program rarely lets up after that.

"Echa Pa'Lante" is notable for an especially catchy chorus melody. "Y Deja" revisits a

Rubén Blades

vocals
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Rub��n Blades/

Willie Colon

trombone
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Willie Colon collaboration from Canciones del Solar de los Aburridos (Fania Records, 1981), while "Como Te Quise" stands out for its contrapuntal, chorale-like horn arrangement. "Tres Palabras" by Cuban composer Osvaldo Farr��s is the ballad of the set. The song has some history in jazz performance, with versions by vocalist

Nat King Cole

piano and vocals
1919 - 1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Nat King Cole, guitarist

Kenny Burrell

guitar, electric
b.1931

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Burrell and saxophonist

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson.

Pianist and music director

Oscar Hernandez

piano
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Hernandez contributed the Latin Jazz entry "Somos Uno." The band's trumpet players had some fine solo space earlier in the program, but guest trumpeter

Randy Brecker

trumpet
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Brecker gets the spotlight, going from lyrical playing on the slow introduction to an expansive, virtuosic turn to end the tune (following a fine piano solo by the composer). The album ends with the appropriately titled "Soy El Tambor" ("I am El Tambor"), a reference to the traditional Puerto Rican drum. For salsa fans, a good time is guaranteed.

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Track Listing

Esa Nena; Yo Te Prometo; Dime Tu; Goza El Ritmo; Echa Pa��Lante; Guaracha Y Bembe; Y Deja; La Media Vuelta; Canci��n Para Ti; Como Te Quise; Tres Palabras; Somos Uno; Soy El Tambor.

Personnel

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra

Oscar Hernandez: piano, leader; Marco Bermudez: lead vocal, chorus; Carlos Cascante: lead vocal, chorus; Jeremy Bosch: lead vocal, chorus, flute; Manuel ��Maneco�� Ruiz: trumpet; Hector Colon: trumpet; Doug Beavers: trombone; Noah Bless: trombone; Mitch Frohman: baritone sax, flute; Luisito Quintero: timbales; George Delgado: congas; Jorge Gonzalez: bongos, maracas, guiro; Gerardo ��Jerry�� Madera: bass; Randy Brecker: trumpet (12).

Album information

Title: Anniversary | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: ArtistShare

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Spanish Harlem Orchestra Concerts

Dec 6 Sat

SHO Salsa Navidad - HOSTOS Bronx NY

Hostos Center For The Arts & Culture
Bronx County, NY

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