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Noah Bless: New York Strong—Latin Jazz!

By Jack Bowers
December 5, 2020
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When it comes to Latin jazz, trombonist

Noah Bless

trombone
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Noah Bless is no novice, having gigged in and around New York City for the better part of three decades with such Latin stars as Paquito D'Rivera,

Mario Bauza

trumpet
1911 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Mario Bauza,

Oscar De Leon

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar De Leon,

Celia Cruz

vocals
1925 - 2003

" data-original-title="" title="">Celia Cruz,

" data-original-title="" title="">Willie Colon and Eddie Palmieri, and sat in with the Lincoln Center Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra and Spanish Harlem Orchestra, among others. After so many years toiling in the trenches, Bless has at long last decided to unfurl his Latin chops as leader of his own quintet.

The album's title, New York Strong, exemplifies the city's response to the deadly coronavirus pandemic, while the music is perhaps Bless' way to help listeners leave their concerns elsewhere for a few moments and bask in the warmth and happiness of lovely sounds whose fascinating rhythms, if not hypnotic, are at least upbeat and seductive.

From the outset, it is clear that Bless has learned his lessons well. His trombone fits snugly into any Latin groove, and he is never at a loss for something pleasing to impart. Bless and his teammates ease into the fray with his "Chasing Normal," a deceptively laid-back canter, before upping the ante and the tempo on Rudy Calzado's light-footed "Ganga" and

Baden Powell

guitar, acoustic
1937 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Baden Powell's Afro-samba, "Canto de Ossanha." Trumpeter

Bill Mobley

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Mobley wrote the serpentine "49th Street,"

Antonio Carlos Jobim

piano
1927 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Carlos Jobim the soft and gentle "Ligia." Flutist

Alejandro Aviles

saxophone, alto
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Alejandro Aviles makes it a sextet on "49th Street" and Bless' "The Key," although he solos on neither one. Bless and crew are especially persuasive on James Taylor's ardent "Fire and Rain," which precedes the well-ordered finale,

Ray Santos

composer / conductor
1928 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Santos' breezy mambo, "Sunny Ray."

As on any synopsis of Latin music, a compatible rhythm section is essential, and Bless has chosen his with care. Drummer

Pablo Bencid

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Pablo Bencid and percussionist

Luisito Quintero

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Luisito Quintero are from Venezuela, and even though pianist

Mike Eckroth

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Eckroth and bassist

Boris Kozlov

bass, acoustic
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Boris Kozlov hail from north of that border, they are so immersed in the patterns and sounds of Latin jazz that the listener might easily believe that they too harbor a more equatorial heritage. The same applies to their solos, which invariably summon forth the spirit of the enterprise. In sum, a carefully designed and adeptly performed scenario of Latin jazz. One only wishes there were more of it: eight songs, forty minutes. Not as concise as some albums, but nonetheless rather shy of generous. On the upside, scarcely any of that time is misspent.

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Track Listing

Chasing Normal; Ganga; Canto de Ossanha; 49th Street; Ligia; The Key; Fire and Rain; Sunny Ray.

Personnel

Noah Bless

trombone

Mike Eckroth

piano

Boris Kozlov

bass, acoustic

Pablo Bencid

drums

Luisito Quintero

percussion

Alejandro Aviles

saxophone, alto

Album information

Title: New York Strong—Latin Jazz! | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Zoho Music

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