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Ron Rieder: Latin Jazz Sessions

By Jack Bowers
May 13, 2024
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Even while pursuing a long and successful career in the physical sciences, Bostonian

Ron Rieder

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Rieder never abandoned his life-long love for jazz, especially the tantalizing melodies and lively rhythms of Latin America, composing music at every opportunity before returning to writing full-time and at long last recording his debut album, Latin Jazz Sessions

It was worth the wait. Rieder's colorful tunes ensnare the ears from the outset and never let go, while his septet plays Latin jazz about as well as anyone could wish. There are sambas here, at least one mambo, and several persuasive Afro-Cuban themes. The ensemble's solid rhythmic base consists of drummer

Mark Walker

drums
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Walker, percussionist

Ricardo Monzon

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Ricardo Monzon, guitarist

Claudio Ragazzi

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Claudio Ragazzi and bassists

Oscar Stagnaro

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Stagnaro or

Gerson Esteban Lazo Quiroga

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerson Esteban Lazo Quiroga, with steel drummer

Ron Reid

multi-instrumentalist

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Reid (the name is coincidental) added on the irrepressible "St. John" and prancing finale, "Capitol Mayhem."

Melodically, the session rests for the most part in the capable hands of tenor saxophonist

Mike Tucker

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Tucker, flutist

Fernando Brandao

flute

" data-original-title="" title="">Fernando Brandao and pianist

Alain Mallet

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Alain Mallet, who blend well together and produce many invigorating solos. Brandao is especially impressive on the ambrosial "Gardenias," Mallet on the opening "Un Coco Loco" and fast-paced "Mambo Jumbo." The carefree "Spring Serenade," with Brandao's flute taking the lead, is a delightful change of pace, while sambas are represented by "The Samba Moon" and "Samba Feliz."

"Pescado" and "From Dawn to Dusk," which round out the enticing session, are no less pleasing than the songs already mentioned. If there is anything less than agreeable here, it is the use of the fade at the end of most numbers, enabling the ensemble to simply ride into the sunset. But that is a minor quibble, one that can be easily brushed aside when everything else is so clearly admirable. Lovers of Latin jazz, this one is for you.

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Track Listing

Un Coco Loco; The Samba Moon; Mambo Jumbo; Samba Feliz; St John; Spring Serenade; Pescado; Gardenias; From Dawn to Dusk; Capitol Mayhem.

Personnel

Ron Rieder

piano

Fernando Brandao

flute

Gerson Esteban Lazo Quiroga

bass

Alain Mallet

piano

Ricardo Monzon

percussion

Claudio Ragazzi

guitar

Ron Reid

multi-instrumentalist

Oscar Stagnaro

bass

Mike Tucker

saxophone, tenor

Mark Walker

drums

Album information

Title: Latin Jazz Sessions | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self Produced

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