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Arturo O'Farrill and the Chico O'Farrill Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra: Final Night at Birdland

By Jack Bowers
August 15, 2013
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Arturo O'Farrill and the Chico O'Farrill Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra: Final Night at Birdland

On June 26, 2011, Arturo O'Farrill and the

Chico O'Farrill

composer / conductor
1921 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Chico O'Farrill Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra ended a fifteen-year run at New York City's Birdland, and—to our good fortune—had the foresight to record that very special event for everyone to hear and appreciate. The orchestra's scion, the great Chico O'Farrill, was still living when the ensemble made its debut at Birdland 1997. When he passed away four years later, son Arturo took the reins, guiding the orchestra for more than thirteen years through its regular Sunday evening performances.

On this Final Night, the orchestra plays mostly music either written or arranged by Chico, opening with his three "Afro Cuban Jazz Moods" and continuing through

Luis Miguel

" data-original-title="" title="">Luis Miguel's even-tempered "Delirio" and

Mario Bauza

trumpet
1911 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Mario Bauza's five-movement "Tanga Suite" (both arranged by Chico) and Chico's rhythmically dynamic "Havana Blues" before crowning the concert with Arturo's "Fathers and Sons, From Havana to New York and Back Again," on which two of the leader's sons—trumpeter Adam and drummer Zachary O'Farrill—carry the banner forward with guest appearances. When an orchestra has been together as long as this one, its members can almost read each other's minds; that is to say, they are not only on the same page but more often the same word or sentence. There are no missteps here, and the crystal-clear recorded sound further enhances the band's dynamism and cohesion.

While everything is admirable, the "Tanga Suite" is especially persuasive, its colorful segments consisting of a Cuban lullaby, a mambo, Cuban ritual, bolero and rumba abierta. The soloists are pianist Arturo O'Farrill, trumpeters John Walsh and

Matt Hilgenberg

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Hilgenberg, tenor saxophonist

Jed Levy

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jed Levy, trombonists

Sam Burtis

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Burtis and

Gary Valente

b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Valente, conguero Tony Rosa and percussionist

Joey Gonzalez

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey Gonzalez. Tenor

Peter Brainin

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Brainin and trumpeter

Pete Nater

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Pete Nater are superb on "Havana Blues," and there are impressive statements elsewhere by alto

David Bixler

saxophone
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">David Bixler and trumpeter

Jim Seeley

flugelhorn

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Seeley.

Adam O'Farrill

trumpet
b.1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam O'Farrill introduces the animated "Fathers and Sons," soloing with dad Arturo and guest tenor Michael Herrera.

There's no doubt the orchestra wanted to make its Final Night at Birdland memorable, a goal that was not only reached but, some may argue, surpassed. For those who love Latin and Afro Cuban jazz, it doesn't get much better than this.

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Track Listing

Introduction; Three Afro Cuban Jazz Moods (Kaleidoscopic / Pensativo / Exuberante); Delirio; Tanga Suite; Cuban Lullabye; Mambo; Cuban Ritual; Bolero; Rumba Abierta; Havana Blues; Fathers and Sons, from Havana to New York and Back Again.

Personnel

Arturo O'Farrill

piano

Arturo O��Farrill: piano, music director; John Walsh: trumpet; Jim Seeley: trumpet; Pete Nater: trumpet; Matt Hilgenberg: trumpet; David Bixler: alto sax; Todd Bashore: alto sax; Peter Brainin: tenor sax; Jed Levy: tenor sax; Maximilian Schweiger: baritone sax; Gary Valente: trombone; Sam Burtis: trombone; Kajiwara Tokunori: trombone; Jack Jeffers: bass trombone; Greg August: bass; Vince Cherico: drums; Tony Rosa: congos; Joe Gonzalez: bongo, bell. Special guests �� Adam O��Farrill: trumpet; Zachary O��Farrill: drums; Michel Herrera: alto sax.

Album information

Title: Final Night at Birdland | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Zoho Music

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Arturo O'Farrill Concerts

Sep 19 Fri

Jazz Room Presents: Arturo O’farrill Latin Jazz

The Jazz Room At The Stage Door Theater
Charlotte, NC

Sep 20 Sat

Jazz Room Presents: Arturo O’farrill Latin Jazz

The Jazz Room At The Stage Door Theater
Charlotte, NC

Oct 4 Sat

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Ensemble

California Center For The Arts, Escondido
Escondido, CA

Oct 9 Thu

Arturo O'farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

ShapeShifter Plus
Brooklyn, NY

Oct 10 Fri

Arturo O'farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

ShapeShifter Plus
Brooklyn, NY

Nov 14 Fri

Ephrat Asherie Dance With Arturo O'Farrill

Zellerbach Theatre
Philadelphia, PA

Nov 15 Sat

Ephrat Asherie Dance With Arturo O'Farrill

Zellerbach Theatre
Philadelphia, PA

May 8 Fri

Arturo O’Farrill: Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble

Zellerbach Theatre
Philadelphia, PA

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