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Emilio Reyna: Los Ni?os Perdidos

By Richard J Salvucci
May 10, 2024
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If one were to use this recording for a blindfold test, it would be interesting to see what emerged. Pianist (composer?) has an affinity for minor harmonies and repeated figures. Somewhere, deep in the background, there are echoes of Maiden Voyage (Blue Note, 1965). Band is all good players, post-bop, for sure.

So, what if the pianist turned out to be one Emilio Reyna, resident in the City of Mexico (as it is presently labeled), himself Mexican, as are apparently all the instrumentalists as well? Reyna, who trained in Jazz Composition and Performance at McGill in Montreal, has played at several international venues, and with people like

Phil Grenadier

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Grenadier. He is not very well known in the United States, which is a pity. Somehow, it seems unlikely that anyone would identify the musicians as specifically "Mexican," whatever that means.

This is not a long recording, but it is an interesting and provocative. one. Aside from the usual "what influences are here" and "what are we hearing," Reyna values setting a mood, specifically brooding, and not flashy displays of technique. Perhaps the title track "Los Ni?os Perdidos" which features both alto and tenor sax solos and a brighter mood than much of the rest, is a natural starting place. It probably incorporates more suspended chords, a la

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock, than some of the other tunes. So, it sounds correspondingly less dark. "Los L��mites de mi Lenguaje son los L��mites de mi Mundo" follows a similar pattern; this is a tune where the "Maiden Voyage" influence really comes through. It is not a copy, for sure, but the influences are hard to miss. These tunes are very much a backdrop for the saxophones to blow against.

Santiago Von Sternenfels

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Santiago Von Sternenfels and

Diego Franco

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Diego Franco both play quite nicely.

The mood of the recording may well reflect its title, "Los Ni?os Perdidos" which alludes to a well-known folktale ("The Lost Children") in Mexico (not to mention a central street in the City of M��xico) which has all the storybook elements: murder, mayhem, destruction, unhappy marriage: the sorts of things that gloomy folktales generally provide. It would be nice to hear what Reyna could do with some of the more canonical material, but that is, of course, what future recordings are for. These are all originals, and mark Reyna out as a composer of some promise.

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Track Listing

Los Ni?os Perdidos; Los L��mites de mi Lenguaje son los L��mites de Mi Mundo; Semilla I; Semilla II; Triton.

Personnel

Emilio Reyna

piano

Benjamin Garcia

bass

Juan Ale Saenz

drums

Santiago Von Sternenfels

saxophone, alto

Diego Franco

saxophone, tenor

Album information

Title: Los Ni?os Perdidos | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Ropeadope

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